The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) seeks to ensure the operational continuity of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) mechanism in Togo. It recently launched a tender to recruit a new national coordinator to steer the project.

The coordinator will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative and will be assisted by key actors of the FFF mechanism in Togo. As coordinator, the selected applicant will "facilitate and lead the FFF’s implementation in Togo," in collaboration with the focal point of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, the FAO Togo supervisor, and representatives of forest and agricultural producer organizations (OPFAs).

Hosted by the FAO, the FFF aims to strengthen forest and agricultural producer organizations to defend their rights, organize their activities, sustainably manage their forests, and provide social and cultural services to the poor and marginalized.

It is worth noting that Togo was selected to join the project in its second phase. Four other African countries were selected at the same time. In total, nine countries participate in the new phase worldwide. 

In 2023, the program notably selected 17 beneficiary organizations in four regions of the country.

For more information, check the call for proposals here.

Health experts from several African countries have been in Lomé since April 17, 2024, to draw protocols for investigating highly pathogenic influenza outbreaks. Backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the meeting addresses the increased threats from emerging and re-emerging pathogens, such as avian influenza.

The Lomé gathering, which ends on April 19, focuses on the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks recorded in participating nations. By sharing experiences, experts from these nations evaluate investigation tools and develop joint control strategies that will be submitted to the WHO for funding.

The ongoing meeting is part of the preparation and fight against infections by the avian influenza virus, a viral disease affecting birds with high mortality rates among poultry. However, certain subtypes of avian influenza viruses, like the H5N1 virus, now pose a real threat to humans, causing highly deadly epidemics.

Esaïe Edoh

Lomé-based pan-African airline ASKY has acquired a new Boeing 737 Max 8 to its fleet. The carrier said the acquisition reinforces its commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation. It also aims to make Asky more competitive.

ASKY Unveils New Boeing 737 Max 8, Reinforcing Commitment to Innovation and Environmental Responsibility. Lomé, Togo – April 16, 2024 – ASKY is thrilled to announce the arrival of its newest aircraft, a Boeing 737 Max 8, registered ET-BAU, #ASKY #AskyTeam #flywithasky pic.twitter.com/6a4ZLLzIgP

— ASKY (@ASKY_airlines) April 17, 2024

The new aircraft, registered as ET-BAU, boasts cutting-edge aerospace technology, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to previous models.

Currently serving over 20 cities in 25 African countries, ASKY received a capital injection of CFA6 billion from the Togolese government last year, representing 600,000 shares. This investment aimed to support the airline and bolster the status of Lomé's Gnassingbé Eyadema International Airport (AIGE) at the sub-regional level.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Faw Trucks, the renowned Chinese commercial vehicle brand, is set to make its debut in the Togolese market. Togo Best Motor Sarl (TBM), the authorized dealer of Faw Jiefang in Togo and Benin, is introducing two new vehicles in this West African nation. 

These vehicles, namely the tractor truck and the dump truck, are available in 6×4 and 8×4 configurations. They are tailored for logistics, general goods transportation, and heavy material hauling like sand and gravel.

Yang Li, the CEO of TBM, highlighted that these vehicles have been meticulously customized to meet the specific requirements of the Togolese market. This customization was the result of a comprehensive study conducted between 2018 and 2019, which included assessments of road infrastructure and local climatic conditions, particularly in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

In Togo, TBM joins other established dealers including Diwa International, Van Vliet Automotive Togo, Sinocar, Japan Motors, Heavymat Togo, and SMT TOGO.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Togo Digital Agency (ATD) hosts the Lomé Fintech Conference 2024 this Friday, April 19th, in Lomé. The event, organized by the Ministry of Digitalization's operational arm, focuses on innovation, sharing, and discovery in the Togolese digital ecosystem at ATD's headquarters.

Key industry players gather to discuss business opportunities within the Togo Digital Strategy 2025. The agenda includes a "crossed talk," panels, workshops, and a networking session for exchanges and synergies. Deloitte and GIZ are among the expected participants.

On the same date, awards will be given to winners of the 228 Code Challenge, a coding competition by ATD. Register for the Lomé Fintech Conference here.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo is actively seeking to raise CFA30 billion on the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) public securities market through a simultaneous issuance of fungible treasury bonds (OATs) and fungible treasury bills (BATs), which will close on April 26th.

As detailed in the tender document reviewed by Togo First, Lomé plans to secure CFA15 billion through BATs with a nominal value of CFA1 million, multiple interest rates, and a maturity of 364 days. The remaining CFA15 billion will be raised through OATs, featuring a nominal value of CFA10,000, an annual interest rate of 6.15%, and a maturity of three years.

The coastal nation aims to utilize these funds to finance its 2024 budget, which is balanced at CFA2,179 billion.

Esaïe Edoh

The Togolese Ministry of Trade and Local Consumption is conducting a comprehensive study of the country's digital markets. For this project, the Ministry collaborates with the Economic Community of West African States' Regional Competition Authority (ARCC).

The study  aims to evaluate competition and consumer welfare in Togo’s digital industry. According to the ARCC, it will provide valuable insights into this rapidly evolving market driven by innovation and shifting consumer preferences.

To gather crucial data, the Ministry of Trade urges users of e-commerce and digital financial platforms to fill the forms it issued as part of the study. Both e-commerce and digital financial platform users are encouraged to participate. The deadline to fill the forms is April 26, 2024.

The study falls under a larger project aimed at implementing regional competition regulations.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has dispatched a delegation to Togo, in the framework of the upcoming regional and legislative elections.

The seven-people team is led by Maman Sambo Sidikou, former African Union Representative to Mali and the Sahel. They will conduct a pre-election assessment, in line with community texts, and will, to this end, engage with stakeholders in the electoral process.

"This includes officials from state institutions and agencies, political parties, the election management body, civil society organizations, media, and partners," as stated in a press release on April 16, 2024.

After meeting with these stakeholders, the ECOWAS delegation "will submit a detailed report and recommendations to the President of the ECOWAS Commission. And the President will decide on appropriate measures to be taken, including the deployment of an Electoral Observation Mission (EOM) for the legislative and regional elections," the press release added.

The delegation will stay in Togo until April 20, nine days before the vote scheduled for April 29.