Togo Overhauls Road Infrastructure Management With Two New Agencies

Transport

Monday, 29 June 2026 09:56

Togo Overhauls Road Infrastructure Management With Two New Agencies

(Togo First) - Togo is overhauling the way it manages its road infrastructure. At its cabinet meeting on Friday, June 26, 2026, the government adopted decrees creating the Togo Road Works and Management Agency (AGEROUTE TOGO) and the National Road Financing Company (SONAFIR), two institutions that will play a central role in modernizing the sector.

AGEROUTE TOGO was created to improve the delivery of road projects. The agency will oversee project execution and act as the state’s delegated contracting authority for road infrastructure projects.

According to the government, the new agency will streamline the institutional framework for the sector by reducing the fragmentation of responsibilities, which has often led to project delays and cost overruns, undermining the efficiency of public investment.

AGEROUTE TOGO is also expected to improve project planning, strengthen construction oversight, and ensure more efficient management of the resources allocated to developing the country’s road network.

SONAFIR to Mobilize More Funding

At the same time, the government created SONAFIR, replacing the Autonomous Road Maintenance Financing Company (SAFER), which was established in 2012 to finance the maintenance of the country’s road network.

The government said the change reflects shortcomings identified in SAFER’s operations over the past decade. Assessments found weaknesses in resource mobilization even as road infrastructure financing needs increased significantly.

SONAFIR will have a broader mandate and stronger financing mechanisms. Its objective is to diversify revenue sources, develop strategic partnerships, and secure additional funding to support road investment.

Reform Supports Infrastructure Ambitions

Under the new institutional framework, the authorities aim to improve how road projects are financed and delivered. SONAFIR will be responsible for mobilizing and managing financial resources, while AGEROUTE TOGO will oversee infrastructure delivery.

The reform comes as the country continues to work on several strategic road construction and rehabilitation projects. The government said improving the quality of the road network remains essential to economic competitiveness, smoother trade flows, and balanced national development.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

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CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

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In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

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REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

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