In a statement published on its website, UNDP’s representation in Togo informs that the deadline for submission of application to the “J’NOV pour les ODD” competition has been extended by one week.

Initially set to September 10, 2018, this deadline is now extended to September 17, 2018, the institution informs.

 “J’NOV pour les ODD”, jointly launched by the UNDP and Togo’s youth ministry, is a competition aimed at young Togolese aged 16-35. They will have to devise innovative solutions that will contribute to communities’ sustainable development.

At the end of this first edition, the ten best projects (5 devised by women and 5 by men), will be granted up to CFA5 million each.

Applicants can check the requirements on www.tg.undp.org or on www.devbase.gouv.tg. Application forms should be sent by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to UNDP’s office.

Togo aims to diversify its gas supply and reduce its dependence on onshore pipelines. In that regard, with Equatorial Guinea, it is exploring the possibility to build liquefied natural gas storage and regasification facilities. It is also considering the possibility to conclude a sale and purchase agreement for an LNG terminal.

According to Marc Dedèriwè Ably-Bidamon (photo), the energy and mines minister, this project falls within the framework of the government’s ambition to have sufficient gas to satisfy its population’s need. During Equatorial Guinea’s LNG installations, the minister estimated that the implementation of such project would be a considerable asset.

In line with the government’s ambition, a framework agreement was signed in April 2018 in Lomé by Marc Dedèriwè Ably-Bidamon and his Equatorial Guinean peer Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima for LNG supply.

“It is fundamental for African countries to monetize their gas and for energy users to benefit from this cheaper and cleaner resource produced locally. Equatorial Guinea is committed to helping its neighbors find win-win solutions. We expect a strong partnership with Togo”, Gabriel Mbaga Obiang Lima said at the time.

Séna Akoda

With seven other laureates of the 2018 Pitch Agrihack Talent, Togolese Dona Etchri who developed E-agribusiness, won €15,000 (about CFA10 million) each. The awarded laureates were picked out of 26 finalists.  

Launched by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) on the sidelines of the 8th Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) in Kigali, Rwanda, the contest aims to contribute to “the transformation of agricultural sector and boost youth employment. Also, its vision is to help the best startups participating to provide efficient services to hundred thousands of farmers and various actors of the agricultural sector across countries of the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific region”.

Dona Etchri took part in the contest, under the advanced solutions category for Africa. “Challengers were really tough. The competition was fierce but by God’s grace, I was selected among the 8 winners. Under the contest, four laureates were selected from the advanced solutions and beginner solutions categories. I belonged to the advanced solutions for Africa category”, he said.   

Besides the financial support, the young Togolese will among others, have the chance to do some networking through CTA’s network. Indeed, there are “some incubators associated with that network that will help the youth better adapt their business and meet potential investors”, Etchri said. 

Séna Akoda

International trade firm, Zhejiang Native Produce & Animal By-Products I/E Group Co., said it plans to set a tomato processing plant in Togo to serve the ECOWAS region.

Indeed, due to the high costs incurred by its product and international trade chain, the Chinese firm wants to strengthen its footprint in West Africa where it already exports food products (Togo, Benin, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso). The group thus eyes Lomé as base, due to the Togolese capital’s stability and security.

“We are already exporting food products to Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Ghana, Niger and Ivory Coast. However, we have issues related to heavy costs. We therefore wish to assess the possibility to set a plant in Lomé so as to better sell our products and serve the region’s other countries,” Franck Qian, Head of the group’s Market Development Division, told Togo First, during Togo’s first Business Forum in Hangzhou.

First, the Hangzhou-based company intends to set a small packaging unit in Togo and progressively move to a bigger infrastructure. It will then transfer its whole production chain for the West African region to the country.  

“We export mostly tomato paste to West Africa. First, we will proceed to packaging on site. Later, if things go well, we will directly process fresh tomatoes, into purée sold in tins or sachets,” Qian declared. “We will…later, think about the possibility to start production from scratch to end-product,” he added. In the long run, Togo could become the group’s supply station for the raw materials.

Established in 1975, Zhejiang Native Produce & Animal By-Products I/E Group Co exports food and rich textile to more than 100 countries around the world.

In the first half of this year, the group’s import-export transactions were valued at $411 million, up 5% compared to the same period the year before. In detail, exports amounted to $348 million (+2.5%) while imports stood at $62 million (+21.5%).

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Invited by Togo’s Head of State, Afreximbank’s president, Benedict Oramah was in Hangzhou last Friday, for Togo’s first Business Forum.

The Nigerian executive came to support Togo in showcasing its 2018-2022 national development plan to Chinese investors.

More effectively, his presence could translate into a financial support from Afreximbank to Togo. Indeed, last July, Oramah had announced during the last African Union’s summit, that the Cairo-based bank would disburse a financing for some African countries, including Togo.

Besides Oramah were also present Ecobank’s CEO, Ade Ayeyemi, and the institution’s head for WAEMU, Paul-Harry Aithnard. Another important figure present was Carlos Lopes, Guinea Bissau's economist, who came to boast of Togo’s assets to Chinese investors.

Regarding the latter, more than 30 Chinese firms as well as many actors of Togo’s private sector attended the forum in Hangzhou.

Fiacre E.  KAKPO

From October 3 to 6, 2018, the third Chicago Economic Forum will take place. Ahead of the event, its promoters on September 6, gave some reasons why Togolese businessmen should attend the forum.   

First, Togo is the event’s guest of honor. The second is the event’s theme which is “Digitizing Companies: An asset for the future”. Togolese businessmen should thus leverage the event to learn more about various challenges opposing firms’ digitalization and its importance for the future.

Planned during the forum are B2B meetings, workshops, panels and debates. There will also be networking and training sessions, all with exhibition stands installed all over the site. These will allow Togo’s business operators to build new partnerships and attract new investments in their country.

The forum, let’s note, aims as its theme indicates, to digitize management systems of firms and help increase financing capacities of participating nations, helping them attract more investments. It also aims at supporting the financing of digital infrastructures worldwide.   

Last Thursday, top executives from Chinese firm Andaz Group met with President Faure Gnassingbé to discuss investment opportunities in Togo.

The group which invests mainly in infrastructures, energy, real estate and agricultural development, in Africa and elsewhere, eyes Togo’s transport and power sectors.

If concretized, the project would significantly boost Togo’s electrification strategy, contributing to a rapid realization of the government’s goal to achieve universal access to power by 2030.

Besides sectors mentioned earlier, the Chinese group invests also in oil, gas, cement, heavy machinery and chemicals. According to a press statement released by Togo’s presidency, so far the overall value of its transactions is close to a billion dollars.

Last Thursday, Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé visited Alibaba’s Xixi campus, in Hangzhou.

The African leader and his delegation had the chance to, in the presence of tech mogul Jack Ma, be introduced to Alibaba’s major projects.

The various projects cover smart logistics, financial and agricultural inclusion, and artificial intelligence. Following the introduction, Gnassingbé applauded Ma for his vision and humanism.

Moreover, in line with Togo’s vision to become a logistics and digital hub, the country will enter into partnership with Alibaba Group. Under this partnership, young Togolese will be able to benefit from various trainings provided by Ma’s group.

In the same vein, Ma expects young Togolese to join one of his e-commerce promotion and incubation programs in Africa. 

This program which was announced last year by the Chinese billionaire is backed by a $10 million support.

Fiacre E. KAKPO

In Togo, the national programme for investment, food and nutritional security (PNIASAN) is bearing fruits.

Only a few months after its launch, this programme has registered 147,235 direct beneficiaries already out of a target of 150,000 by end-2018. This was revealed by the minister of agriculture, Ouro-Koura Agadazi, as he reviewed the Agriculture Support Programme (PASA) which falls under PNIASAN.

According to the official, so far “20.55% of people who benefited from the program are women, over a forecast of 18%. It also enabled the processing of 24,526 tons of agricultural products, over 27,070 tons targeted; that represents an achievement rate of 98.16%”.

In addition, the programme also helped boost husbandry in the country. “The size of livestock owned by beneficiaries grew by 245,084 herds, over a forecasted 271,943 herds. This represents an achievement rate of 90.93%. For agricultural products, corresponding volume soared by 30,765 tons, against 28.2 tons expected,” the minister added.