Togo First
University of Kara: 34,000 Graduates in 20 Years
Togo’s second-largest public university, the University of Kara, celebrated its 20th anniversary with Open Days on May 6th and 7th, 2024. This event aimed to familiarize students from Kara and media professionals with the university.
The university showcased its study programs, the LMD system (Bachelor 's-Master 's-Doctorate), and its regional development contributions. The focus was on encouraging enrollment, especially in professional-oriented fields, to guide students toward successful careers.
At the event’s launch, Kokou Tchariè, President of the University of Kara, stressed the importance of discipline and respect for success in higher education. He highlighted the university's diverse and professional training, particularly in agriculture and animal husbandry, preparing students for entrepreneurship post-graduation.
These Open Days allowed prospective students to explore the University of Kara's expertise and envision their academic journey. With a focus on professionalization and employability, the university aims to drive Togo's economic and social progress.
Established in 1999 and officially opened in 2004, the University of Kara offers various faculties, a doctoral school, and institutes providing fundamental and professional study programs. Over the years, the university has graduated around 34,000 students.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Starts Implementing Hydro Agro Meteorological Information System
Togo has launched the implementation of a Hydro Agro Meteorological Information System (SIHAM), a digital solution to improve rainfall forecasts for farmers. The initiative began with the training of 25 survey agents in Sokodé, a city in the country's center.
Supported by the World Bank's Fund for Rural Poverty Reduction (FSRP), SIHAM aims to enhance the dissemination of rainfall forecasts for users of the National Meteorology Agency (ANAMET) services. The system will primarily be deployed in Planned Agricultural Development Zones (ZAAP), enhancing agricultural production in the country.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the SIHAM will be deployed in four stages, starting with the training of survey agents. The project was developed following an agreement between FSRP Togo and the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC). It is currently in its pilot phase.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: Telecom Regulator ARCEP to Carry Out Two Mobile Network Quality Checks in 2024
Togo's telecom regulator ARCEP plans two mobile network quality checks in 2024. The watchdog seeks to this end an international firm to assist with 2G, 3G, and 4G assessments nationwide. It launched the related tender on May 6.
The campaigns will evaluate service indicators using test call platforms. ARCEP says this is part of its regulatory mandate. The regulator added that operators failing to meet its regulatory thresholds may face penalties.
The campaigns’ goal is to ensure that consumers get quality telecom services per operator specifications. In 2023, a December campaign found slight improvements for Togocel and Moov Africa Togo. However, compliance remains below requirements, with non-compliance rates at 46.84% for Togo Cellulaire and 57.65% for Moov Africa Togo.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: National Media Authority Warns Radio France Internationale
Togo’s top media regulator, the HAAC, recently warned French media Radio France Internationale (RFI) about its coverage of the country's socio-political news.
In a letter dated May 6, 2024, the HAAC highlighted RFI's lack of neutrality and fairness in its news coverage, despite previous warnings. Telou Pitalounani, President of the HAAC, specifically criticized RFI for persistently broadcasting inaccurate information about the situation in Togo.
Of particular concern was a segment aired on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at 6:30 PM UTC, in which it was incorrectly reported that a formal ban on all protests against the Fifth Republic was in effect in Togo.
The HAAC refuted this information, emphasizing that a protest against this constitution took place without incident on the same day, authorized by the competent authorities and in compliance with the legal procedures required by the organizing associations.
Furthermore, the regulatory body criticized RFI's announcement of the suspension of international media coverage of the legislative and regional elections on April 29, independently of the coverage by these media correspondents in Lomé.
President Pitalounani stated, "These repeated inaccuracies are not only detrimental to Togo's image but also violate the fundamental principles of journalism." He added that the HAAC would take appropriate measures if RFI persists in its ways. Such measures could include suspending the radio in Togo.
Last month, the HAAC had already denounced "serious breaches" it claims to have observed in the coverage of Togolese news by the RFI and France 24 media group.
Esaïe Edoh
Experts from OEACP Countries Meet in Lomé to Enhance Research and Innovation Financing
Experts and executives from universities in 20 member countries of the Organization of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS) are holding a three-day meeting in Lomé to discuss research and innovation (R&I) financing. Started on May 6, the roundtable aims to bolster this financing, according to local media Togopresse.
Participants are exploring ways to establish national funds that promote sustainable development through research and innovation. They will also develop a manual to guide the creation of these funds, ensuring better coordination and efficient use of resources.
Furthermore, the meeting will lay the groundwork for a transnational network of stakeholders involved in research and innovation. This network will facilitate regional and sub-regional collaboration, enabling more effective responses to difficult and cross-border issues related to research and innovation financing.
Togo is already committed to mobilizing funds to finance research, having formed a team of experts to study the feasibility of creating a national fund, according to Kossi Sénamé Dodzi, Director of Scientific Research.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Storage Company Gets PV Plant
The Togolese Storage Company (STE), responsible for storing and distributing petroleum products, recently inaugurated a photovoltaic plant on its premises. The ceremony, held on Tuesday, May 7th, was attended by various dignitaries.
With an installed capacity of 90.6 Kwc across 426 m2, the system is set to cover a portion of STE's energy needs and reduce electricity costs. The plant is expected to generate up to 10.36 Mwh per month, equivalent to 30% of the company's total monthly energy consumption of 34.98 Mwh.
"We hope that through these results, the investment will continue and reach 75% self-consumption, just by using our developed spaces," said STE's Managing Director, Tchalla Péré.
Mensah Koffi Vinyo, representing the Minister of Trade and Local Consumption, praised STE's environmental commitment while emphasizing the significance of energy transition.
The installation of the solar power plant by STE coincides with increasing power outages in Togo's urban areas, particularly in the capital.
Established in 1962, STE is a public limited company specializing in storing and distributing petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel.
Lomé to Host 3rd Edition of FONI on May 16 and 17
Lomé will host the 3rd edition of the International Forum on Digital Intermediation and Innovation (FONI) on May 16th and 17th at the 2 Février Hotel. The organizer, Afrik Créance, said the event will shine a spotlight on the close ties between finance and digital technology in Africa. Between 300 and 1,000 participants are expected.
Focused on the theme "Intermediation, Financing SMEs for Financial, Digital, and Social Inclusion in Africa," FONI 2024 will explore innovative solutions in banking, finance, telecommunications, and insurance. It will serve as a platform from Lomé to showcase Fintech and SMEs seeking tailored financing and to create synergies with the financial sector.
Afrik Créances President Blaise Ahouantchede told the press that FONI is a unique space in Africa, regrouping financial players and Fintech to promote financial inclusion.
Afrik Créances, based in Lomé and operating in three countries in the sub-region, specializes in financial intermediation, offering services like credit brokerage, debt collection, and flow management.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: Loans Granted by Microfinance Institutions Up 6.5% in Q4 2023, against Q3 2023
Recent data from the BCEAO reveals that the microfinance sector in West Africa, particularly in Togo, experienced growth by the end of December 2023, despite facing some headwinds.
Credit Portfolio Expansion
The outstanding loans granted by Decentralized Financial Systems (DFS) or microfinance institutions in Togo increased by 6.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 (quarter-on-quarter), marking an absolute increase of 22.5 billion CFA francs. Togo recorded the third-largest increase during this period, behind Senegal (+6.6%) and Benin (+9.5%), and ahead of Burkina Faso (+21.4 billion CFA francs, +6.2%), Côte d'Ivoire (+16.1 billion CFA francs, +2.6%), and Guinea-Bissau (+525.0 million CFA francs, +1.1%). However, there was a decline in Niger (-1.2 billion CFA francs, -8.9%) and Mali (-478.8 million CFA francs, -0.2%).
At the UEMOA level, the outstanding loans increased by 125.3 billion CFA francs, with an average quarterly growth of 5.1%, reaching a total of 2,561.1 billion CFA francs.
Slight Increase in Deposits
On the deposit side, clients' deposits in microfinance institutions in Togo saw a slight increase of 0.5% (+1.8 billion CFA francs in absolute value). This modest growth contrasts with the overall decline in deposits collected by microfinance institutions across the Union. Deposits decreased by 8.8 billion CFA francs (-0.4%) compared to the previous quarter, totaling 2,263.8 billion CFA francs. This quarterly decline was observed particularly in Benin (-6.3%), Côte d'Ivoire (-0.9%), Burkina Faso (-1.2%), Mali (-1.6%), and Niger (-3.1%).
Moreover, as of December 2023, nine microfinance institutions were under provisional administration within the Union, including two in Togo.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
ARCEP: Moov Africa Togo and Togo Cellulaire Ranked Top Mobile Internet Providers in WAEMU in 2023
Moov Africa Togo (MAT) and Togo Cellulaire (TGC) were the WAEMU’s top two mobile internet service providers in 2023. The Togolese telecom watchdog, ARCEP, confirmed this on May 6.
Leading the UEMOA Region
"Both operators' internet connection performances rank them at the top two positions in the region according to the nPerf score," ARCEP noted, citing an analysis of 128 mobile operators worldwide, including 49 in Africa and 16 in the UEMOA region.
MAT and TGC were respectively first and second in the WAEMU (out of 16 mobile operators). They had the best download speeds across the region-31.6 Mbps and 27.8 Mbps, respectively, outperforming their rivals including Moov Africa Benin (23.1 Mbps), Orange Senegal (20.4 Mbps), Orange Côte d'Ivoire (19 Mbps), and Telecel Burkina Faso. (3 Mbps).
Despite their outstanding performance MAT and TGC were far from others like Orange Morocco and EMTEL in Mauritius. "Outside of Africa, MAT and TGC have performance levels well below those of many operators in the European region, which, for example, exhibit download speeds significantly exceeding 100 Mbps, three times faster than the best operator in Togo," ARCEP noted.
Moving Forward
ARCEP commended MAT and TGC for their download speeds and video streaming performance but highlighted areas for improvement in web browsing, upload speeds, and latency.
The regulator "acknowledges the performance of MAT and TGC in download speeds and video streaming as well as the high ranking of MAT and TGC at the UEMOA level," while underscoring that "the quality of experience is much less satisfactory for web browsing, upload speeds, and latency". It thus calls on both operators to "embed this new momentum in a perspective of continuous improvement" to comply with regulatory quality of service requirements and get close to top performers in Africa and worldwide.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo: President Gnassingbe Enacts New Constitution
Togo's new constitution was enacted on Monday, May 6, 2024, by President Faure Gnassingbé. This change stems from a constitutional amendment adopted by the National Assembly on April 19.
The new constitution introduces a transition to a parliamentary system, a pivotal shift in the country's governance. This is accompanied by the creation of the Prime Minister position and the establishment of a State Council.
The official publication of this new constitutional law in the Official Gazette of the Togolese Republic is forthcoming.