• Togo cuts customs fees by 20% for cars over 5 years.
• Discount runs Sept. 1–Nov. 15; payments due by Nov. 30.
• Measure aims to ease port congestion, spur imports.

Togo’s tax authority has introduced a temporary reduction in customs clearance fees for older vehicles to ease port congestion and stimulate demand ahead of year-end.

The Togolese Revenue Authority (OTR) said in a statement that duties on vehicles more than five years old will be reduced by 20% between Sept. 1 and Nov. 15. The measure applies to cars currently held under customs and aims to clear backlogs while encouraging new imports.

To qualify, owners must complete liquidation and payment of duties by Nov. 30. Any unpaid balances beyond that date will void the discount.

The OTR stressed that the rebate aligns with the national customs code and forms part of its fiscal facilitation strategy. Similar measures are often introduced late in the year. In 2021, a larger 40% cut was granted to support taxpayers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Ecobank Togo, a subsidiary of the pan-African banking group, has signed a partnership agreement with UPRAD, the Professional Union of Customs Agents, to support its members' operations. The deal was formalized on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Lomé.

Through the partnership, Ecobank will provide UPRAD members with several financial products designed to simplify their activities. These include customs bonds, which will be issued to all licensed brokers for managing goods.

Additionally, members will have access to credit lines, including overdraft facilities, to better meet the financial demands of their business. "Sometimes we have markets or contracts, but before we can execute them, national regulations require us to raise funds to pay duties and taxes on behalf of our clients before being reimbursed," explained Akakpo Koffi, UPRAD's secretary-general. "In these situations, a line of credit becomes essential."

The agreement also includes specific support for female entrepreneurs who are members of the union. Ecobank will establish a special credit line with flexible terms to encourage their participation in the sector. "The goal is to encourage more women to get into this business," said Ecobank Togo's Managing Director, Estelle Komlan.

The bank is also considering investing in the construction of UPRAD's headquarters, a project estimated to cost 3 billion CFA Francs. The partnership reinforces Ecobank's commitment to supporting various economic sectors in Togo while expanding its client base.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo disbursed more than CFA4 billion in loans between August 2024 and August 2025 to support grassroots development and expand financial inclusion. Nearly 40,000 loans were granted nationwide during the period, with amounts and volumes varying by region.

The Savanes region topped the list with 16,012 loans totaling CFA1.66 billion, accounting for more than 40% of the national portfolio. Authorities say the focus on this vulnerable region reflects the role of income-generating activities in building resilience.

The Maritime region followed with 9,785 loans worth CFA934.45 million, reflecting the concentration of demand in Lomé and surrounding areas. The Centrale region ranked third with 7,206 loans totaling CFA724.18 million, ahead of Kara (2,667 loans, CFA462.77 million) and Plateaux (3,472 loans, CFA281.89 million).

Beyond the regional distribution, the Ministry of Finance reported a repayment rate close to 95%, with digital loans expanding steadily. The next challenge will be to scale up support, close regional gaps by tailoring interventions to local needs, and extend financing to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as well as young entrepreneurs.

• Maritime Region adopts $1.3M budget, 73% for investments.
• Funds target health, education, water, and sanitation.
• Savanes Region approved $1.4M plan earlier in August.

The Maritime Region Council in Togo has approved its inaugural budget for the 2025 fiscal year, allocating CFA810.96 million ($1.35 million) for social services and infrastructure development. The budget, validated during the council's third ordinary session, earmarks nearly three-quarters of its resources (73.15%) for investments, with the remaining 26.85% designated for operational expenses, signaling an acceleration of structural projects.

Health initiatives are a key priority, receiving an allocation of CFA85 million.. This funding will support the construction of a maternity ward at the Vogan polyclinic (36 million), the rehabilitation of the radiology department at Asahoun Hospital (13 million), and the renovation of the Afagnan maternity ward (36 million). Additionally, CFA65 million are set aside for the acquisition of an ambulance and technical equipment for the Tsévié Regional Hospital Center.

In the education sector, CFA50 million are dedicated to the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, as well as the purchase of furniture to enhance student reception facilities. Access to water and sanitation services will benefit from a CFA160 million allocation, with 100 million for water supply projects and 60 million for sanitation works.

The budget also includes CFA37 million for administrative infrastructure and 55 million for the acquisition of transport and equipment materials.

Komla Edoh, President of the Council, stated that the budget aligns with national guidelines and aims to address the essential needs of the population, commending the collaborative spirit of the councilors.

In a related development, the Savanes Regional Council adopted its first budget in mid-August, totaling CFA840 million. This allocation primarily focuses on education, health, and agriculture, including the construction of maternity blocks in four prefectures, new school buildings for ten secondary establishments, and support for the cotton and food crop sectors.

• Togo is drafting 7th biodiversity report for 2021–2025.
• The process aligns with UN biodiversity convention goals.
• The country targets ecosystem restoration by 2050.

Togo has launched the preparation of its seventh national biodiversity report, which will assess conservation efforts from 2021 to 2025, the Environment and Forest Resources Ministry said.

The process, initiated on Aug. 29 in Lomé, is part of the country’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Member states must regularly submit national reports outlining progress, challenges, and corrective measures needed to align domestic policies with global biodiversity goals for 2030.

The report involves a broad range of stakeholders, including sectoral ministries, specialized agencies, and development partners. Moussa Samarou, head of the protected areas division, said the document will highlight Togo’s contribution to global conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, Togo aims to restore and protect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2050, while ensuring their sustainable use. The report is expected to serve as a policy guide and support greater international cooperation.

• Togo issued 39,142 loans worth CFA4.06B from Aug 2024–Aug 2025.
• Most funds backed income projects, SMEs and digital finance.
• Repayment rate hit 94.9%; govt eyes wider national coverage.

Togo’s financial inclusion sector extended more than CFA4 billion ($6.7 million) in credit over the past year, according to a report from the Ministry of Grassroots Development, Financial Inclusion, Youth and Youth Employment. The period from August 2024 to August 2025 saw 39,142 credits disbursed, totaling CFA4.066 billion.

A significant portion of these funds, CFA3.2 billion across 38,524 credits, was directed towards income-generating activities (IGAs). Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) received 618 financings, amounting to CFA857.5 million. The repayment rate for these credits stood at a robust 94.94%, indicating a healthy portfolio.

The expansion of digital finance was also notable, with 8,435 digital credits disbursed, totaling CFA422.6 million, benefiting households and micro-entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the financial inclusion mechanism served as a social buffer. Following market fires in Agoè Assiyéyé and Kégué, 1,097 indemnified credits, totaling CFA212.8 million, were granted to affected individuals.

In parallel, the ministry emphasized financial literacy, providing training in management and taxation to 6,729 beneficiaries. Twelve monitoring missions were also conducted with financial service providers.

The government aims to further expand national coverage, having now reached 72.5% of previously underserved localities.

• Chinese construction materials giant Lesso plans to open a subsidiary in Togo.
• Talks with Togo’s Chamber of Commerce focused on partnerships with local firms.
• The move aims to boost the construction sector, create jobs, and expand logistics.

The Chinese group Lesso, a global leader in construction materials, is preparing to establish a subsidiary in Togo. The plan was discussed last week during a meeting between a company delegation and the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo).

As part of this project, Lesso intends to partner with local construction and building materials distributors. The goal is to identify market needs in local manufacturing, tailored solutions, and logistics.

According to Winnie, the group’s Africa regional director and head of the delegation, the choice of Togo is tied to its strategic logistics position and ongoing economic reforms.

In Togo, Lesso could expand into plastic piping, construction materials, furniture, renewable energy, environmental protection, and logistics services.

Active across five continents with more than 30 production units, Lesso holds over 3,000 patents and has contributed to revising more than 120 industrial standards.

Its entry into Togo is expected to broaden the range of construction products available, stimulate the local building sector, create jobs for young people, and strengthen the country’s economic growth.