Togo First
Togo: World Bank Administrator Lauds WACA's Achievements in Aného
Abdoul Salam Bello, Executive Director of the World Bank's Africa II Group, recently visited the WACA ResIP-Togo coastal resilience program in Aného. During his visit, he assessed various World Bank-funded projects that tackle coastal erosion and poverty in rural communities.
Bello toured the area with Dr. Adou Rahim Alimi Assimiou, the program coordinator, and his technical team. Béguédouwè Paneto, Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning, and Me Alexis John Coffi Aquereburu, Mayor of the Commune des Lacs 1 were also present.
"I had the honor of visiting the WACA project in this beautiful commune of Lacs 1 (Aného). We were very impressed by the quality of the work done by the WACA teams, but also by the vision and leadership of Mr. Mayor," Bello said. The delegation examined key infrastructure like breakwaters and dikes that protect the community and enhance living conditions for residents. "We have really appreciated all the positive externalities, including how WACA also helps fight poverty," he added.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Planning praised the World Bank's efforts and highlighted Bello's role in expanding the WACA ResIP-Togo Project. Under his leadership, the World Bank's portfolio in Togo increased from $900 million to $1.21 billion.
The World Bank just approved a new partnership framework that will help mobilize $1.5 billion for investments in key sectors such as agriculture and energy.
On October 14, Bello met with Dr. Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister and Secretary General of the Togolese Presidency. The meeting was an opportunity to review the work done by Bello and his staff, as well as discuss future partnerships between the two sides.
The World Bank currently holds its Annual Meetings in Washington. The sessions started on October 21 and ends on October 26.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Most Local Products Meet Required Standards, Official Inspection Finds
Most Togolese products tested by local quality control institutions meet the required standards. An inspection delegation, led by Kossivi Hounaké, Minister Delegate to the Minister of Trade, reached this conclusion last weekend.
The inspection aimed to address concerns about the quality of "Made in Togo" products. The team visited key institutions, including the Institut Togolais de Recherche Agronomique (ITRA), the Institut National d'Hygiène (INH), the École Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA), and the Laboratoire National du Bâtiment et des Travaux Publics (LNBTP).
According to Kossivi Hounaké, criticisms regarding local product quality are often unfounded. He stated that "most of them pass through these control laboratories" before reaching the market. This inspection coincided with local consumption month, serving as a boost from public authorities to promote Togo's products, nationally and internationally.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Municipal Elections Begins in 11 Municipalities
Togo will hold municipal elections in at least 11 municipalities this October. The Ministry of Territorial Administration announced these elections following the deaths of several mayors and deputy mayors in recent months. The elections are scheduled from October 22 to 31.
Municipalities concerned include Golfe 2, 5, and 6, Avé 2, Kloto 3, Kpélé 1, Sotouboua 2, Doufelgou 3, Tone 1, Dankpen 3, and Kpendjal Ouest 1. Voting will occur through indirect suffrage by the municipal council, with prefects and local government authorities present.
Current mayors and councilors were elected in June 2019 during the first local elections in nearly thirty years. Togo has 117 municipalities.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Secures CFA36 Billion for Agricultural Development from Islamic Development Bank
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) recently approved $60.30 million (over CFA36 billion) for Togo. This funding aims to improve the quality of life for vulnerable populations. The announcement came during the IsDB's 357th Board of Directors meeting on October 14, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The funds will support income-generating activities and boost agricultural productivity, which are vital for Togo's economic growth. This approval is part of a larger program under which the IsDB allocated over $3 billion to 20 socio-economic development projects across 17 member countries. In Africa, countries like Côte d'Ivoire, Mozambique, and Senegal are among the beneficiaries.
In Togo, the IsDB is already involved in various initiatives, including coastal protection and rural electrification. Last year, it signed an agreement with the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) for $250 million to develop the energy, agriculture, and private sectors.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Nearly 12,000 Businesses Registered in January-September 2024 (CFE)
Over the first nine months of 2024, 11,979 new businesses were registered in Togo. The data comes from the Centre for Business Formalities (CFE) where the businesses were registered. The figure is 2% more than that recorded over the same period the previous year–11,733.
Out of the almost 12,000 newly registered businesses from January to September, 9,940 were established by Togolese; foreigners established 2,039. Around 30% of the total, 3,566, were created by women.
Quarterly, 4,017 new businesses were registered in Q3 2024, against 3,450 in Q3 2024.
The improved figure is attributable to Lomé’s pro-entrepreneurship reforms. Indeed, the government has ramped up efforts to bolster the business climate, including reducing the time and cost of setting up a business and digitizing formalization procedures.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: Second Edition of Renewable Energy Days Held last Week
Last week, Togo hosted the second edition of the Renewable Energy Days. The event, which took place on October 18 and 19, was themed “Renewable Energies at the Service of the Agro-Industry.” It was organized by the Synergie des acteurs du secteur (SAER) and the Centre Togolais des expositions et Foires (CETEF).
The fair gathered Togolese companies active in the renewable energy sector, and featured exhibitions, conferences, workshops, and demonstrations.
According to CETEF Director Alexandre de Souza, the event highlighted new trends in renewable energy and promoted Togolese innovations, as "they are a source of hope for the country."
Last year, the CETEF and the SAER sealed a deal to raise public awareness and increase access to clean energy sources.
Next Month, 10 Togolese Tech Startups Will Be in South Africa for an Immersion Program
Ten (10) Togolese tech startups will be in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 25 to December 4, 2024. The startups include Semoa, Anaxar, Silimi, Aviocole, Kondjigbale, Robaloto, Klumer, Edole, Trankyl, and Infinitus. They operate across various sectors, from Fintech to HealthTech and professional networking.
The Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation, through Agence Togo Digital (ATD), is organizing the trip. It is backed by ProDigiT, a project implemented by GIZ Togo and co-funded by Germany and the European Union.
The startups were chosen by a jury to which they presented innovative ideas. The immersion program will give them access to an international network and expose them to innovative business models. This trip follows a previous program for winners of the Togo Digital Awards, showing the country's commitment to developing its digital ecosystem.
This coming immersion comes shortly after another trip to Nigeria for Togo Digital Awards winners.
Togo: Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor Foundation Facilitates New Partnership between the Lomé University and an American University
Earlier this week, the Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor Foundation (SEA Foundation) facilitated a partnership between the University of Lomé (UL) and Morgan State University in the USA.
A delegation from the American university visited UL as part of an international academic collaboration. Led by Endia De Cordova, Director of the university's foundation, the delegation was introduced by Boris Segbenou, Vice President of the SEA Foundation.
Chaired by Professor Adama Mawulé Kpodar, President of the University of Lomé, the discussions included a proposal to include the UL in a partnership formed on June 5, 2023, between the SEA Foundation and Morgan State University.
Morgan State University, founded in 1867 and located in Maryland, offers various programs in sciences, arts, engineering, and business.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Has Nearly 13,000 Public Health Workers (2023 Census)
By the end of 2023, Togo had 12,945 health workers in the public sector, according to data from the Minister of Health, Professor Tchin Darré.
The distribution shows that Greater Lomé, which includes 13 municipalities around Lomé, has 4,634 health workers, making up 36% of the total. The maritime region follows with 1,679 workers (13%), Plateaux with 2,145 (17%), Kara with 1,803 (13.9%), Centrale with 1,379 (11%), and Savanes with 1,305 (10%).
Nearly half of these health workers are contract workers. In detail, there are 7,086 civil servants, accounting for 54.74% of the workforce, while 5,859 are contract staff, or 45.26%.
Additionally, the Ordre National des Médecins (ONMT) registered over 2,000 doctors in Togo by the end of March 2024.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Yango Suspended Over Illicit Operations
The Togolese government has suspended Yango, an online car-sharing service, for "illicit" activities.
On October 17, 2024, the Ministry of Transport stated that Yango, owned by Russian tech giant Yandex, began operations "in violation of all required administrative procedures and authorizations". The suspension follows serious concerns about user safety.
Yango faced a similar suspension in Cameroon in 2023 for not complying with transport regulations but was later reauthorized. Since its launch in 2018, Yango has expanded to 13 African countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, and is also active in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Yango’s competitors in Togo’s local VTC market include Gozem and BKG Speed.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi