The 50,000 solar-powered street lamps project was presented to local authorities of the Maritime region last Thursday, July 25. Launched in April 2023, the project is led by the Agence togolaise d'électrification rurale et des énergies renouvelables (AT2ER).

During a workshop in Davié, located 5 km south of Tsévié, participants learned about the deployment, security, and maintenance of the solar street lamps and were encouraged to support the project. Initially focused on the northern regions of Savanes and Kara, the project is now expanding to the south.

Dr. Tchapo Singo, Director General of Energy and head of AT2ER, noted that the project aligns with the Togolese government's goal of electrifying the entire country by 2030. "The project will cover 5,000 localities across different regions, with a particular focus on the Savanes region," he said. The Prefect of Zio, Etsè Kodjo Kadévi, welcomed the initiative, and added it will improve public lighting for rural communities.

Already, over 30,000 lamps have been installed under the project, mainly in the Savanes and Kara regions, according to Sunna Design, the French company responsible for the installation and maintenance of the lights.

France backs the initiative with a €40 million loan. Also, it falls under the Rural Solar Public Lighting Program (PEP'S Rural) under the Ministry Delegate in charge of Energy and Mines.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Haho 1 municipality mobilized about CFA190 million in 2023, against an initial forecast of about CFA385 million. Expenditures reached CFA216.7 million, against CFA104 million projected.

Though it raised less year-on-year, the municipality invested more in 2023–CFA45.8 million-compared to 2022, CFA25.5 million. Key projects included building sheds for the fruit market, constructing a municipal abattoir in Notsè, adding classrooms and sanitary blocks, rehabilitating the Todome road, and building a fence with a gatehouse for the Notsè town hall. Koumadi Komi, the second deputy mayor of Haho 1, emphasized the importance of these investments for improving local infrastructure and the living conditions of residents.

The various figures were presented last week at a public meeting about the municipality’s administrative account, as reported by Agence Togolaise de Presse (ATOP).

Local leaders, including Togbui Saba VI and Johnson Anani, president of the Village Development Committee (CVD), praised Mayor Komi for his transparent management of finances. They also urged the municipal authorities to start fencing the new Notsè market and to improve the public lighting system.

Last week’s meeting was part of the Decentralization and Good Governance Program (ProDeG IV) run by GIZ. The latter is aimed at informing residents about 2023’s financial activities and discussing local challenges with elected officials.

Nigeria inaugurated its new embassy in Togo earlier this week. The move is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. The inauguration ceremony was hosted by Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar.

On the occasion, Nigerian Minister Tuggar emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two countries, stating that Nigeria aims to promote an inclusive and proactive foreign policy.

The new embassy is located at the "Place de la Réconciliation" in Lomé. The first phase of the building includes a residential complex with three apartments. The second phase will involve the construction of the chancellery.

Nigeria and Togo are joined by several treaties and memorandums of understanding, covering key areas such as the economy, security, transport, mutual assistance, and energy.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Last Tuesday, Togo unveiled its action plan to support entrepreneurs and mobilize funds for their benefit. This was during a strategy meeting in Lomé, which was part of preparations for the upcoming launch of the Entrepreneur Agenda and green financing initiatives.

At the meeting, various stakeholders involved in environmental protection in Togo reviewed the action plan. The latter will serve as the foundation for the Entrepreneur Agenda. The project aims to boost the Togolese economy while also preserving the environment.

The action plan is based on studies conducted in the country emphasizing the importance of innovation and adaptability in the green business sector. The initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is part of a broader program that includes other African nations, such as Angola and Malawi.

Contributions and recommendations made during the meeting will be used to enhance the Entrepreneur Agenda, reflecting Togo's commitment to fostering a sustainable economic environment for its entrepreneurs.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s telecom regulator, ARCEP, has imposed a CFA1.6 billion on Moov Africa Togo. This amounts to 2% of the mobile operator's sales in 2023. The regulator disclosed the news on July 24, after a public hearing held the same day in Lomé. 

ARCEP accused Moov Africa Togo of "serious breaches of its obligation to provide permanent, continuous and regular availability of mobile electronic communications services." Significant damage to Moov Africa Togo's network resulted in service interruptions that affected several subscribers.

Moov Africa Togo has six months to remedy the situation. Failure to do so could result in further sanctions, by the law.

This is not the first time Moov Africa Togo has faced sanctions. In 2021, the operator was sanctioned for similar breaches.

Esaïe Edoh

Egypt wants to bolster trade and bilateral partnerships with Togo. Ahmed Mohamed Eid Moustapha, Egypt's ambassador to Togo, unveiled the ambition last Monday, July 22. 

"I have been tasked by my country to achieve several objectives during my tenure, primarily to strengthen bilateral cooperation and improve economic relations between our two countries," the ambassador said, as reported by Togo Presse.

The ambassador noted that this economic partnership will create opportunities for the private sector and facilitate discussions on joint projects, particularly in the fields of energy, construction, and infrastructure.

Moustapha recently met with many Togolese officials to explore ways to develop relations in these areas and establish an action plan.

During the talks, the two sides decided to focus on increasing trade between them. Egypt wants to identify major Togolese projects with guaranteed international funding that Egyptian companies help develop.

Already, Elsewedy, an Egyptian manufacturer of distribution and power transformers, is considering operations in Togo. "Today, Elsewedy has begun negotiations with the Togolese government to start its activities in Togo in the coming months," the ambassador noted last Monday.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The RICOWAS, a sub-regional rice project, was launched in Togo earlier this week. In Togo, the project is led by the Institute for Technical Supporting (ICAT). It is backed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The RICOWAS aims to transform rice farming in West Africa by integrating advanced and sustainable agricultural techniques. Madjoulba Batocfetou, General Manager of ICAT, noted that Togo's rice trade balance is currently in deficit, with the country importing large quantities of rice due to rising consumption. "This initiative aims to reduce this trade deficit and help Togo move closer to self-sufficiency in rice," he said.

The RICOWAS builds on the Rice Offensive initiative launched in 2013 and promotes cultivation methods such as the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), sustainable soil management, optimal water use, and the use of organic fertilizers to enhance soil health and crop productivity.

The program will benefit 13 countries over four years. Each of the countries will receive about $200,000 for implementing it. 

West Africa currently faces economic challenges, and improving local rice production could be a major step toward greater food security.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) is working to enhance trade relations with Togo and has invited the country to participate in a meeting of Customs Directors General on Tuesday, July 23, in Niamey, Niger.

During the meeting, customs officials from AES member states agreed to interconnect their customs systems, including Togo, which is crucial for regional trade. They instructed their technical teams to establish an interconnected customs area within the AES.

Adama Ilboudo, Burkina Faso's Director General of Customs, stated that these measures will improve transit management and facilitate cross-border trade.

Philippe Kokou Tchodie, Commissioner General of the Togolese Office of Revenue (OTR), welcomed the initiative, noting that the port of Lomé has always served as a key access point for landlocked countries. He urged customs authorities in the region to expedite the interconnection process to maximize the benefits of this initiative.

This project comes at a challenging time for the region, particularly following ECOWAS economic sanctions against Sahel countries with military governments. Since these sanctions and the closure of borders between Benin and Niger, Togo has increased its efforts to strengthen trade relations with its neighbors.

Esaïe Edoh