Togo advances reform of industrial free zone governance with SAZOF dissolution

Economic governance

Thursday, 12 March 2026 14:11

Togo advances reform of industrial free zone governance with SAZOF dissolution

(Togo First) - Togo's government is moving forward with the restructuring of governance for its industrial free zone. The Cabinet reviewed a proposal to complete the transformation of the Free Zone Administration Company (SAZOF) into the Investment Promotion and Free Zone Agency (API-ZF).

Established in 1994, SAZOF has been a key instrument of Togo's export-oriented industrialization policy. A total of 141 companies have been registered under the free zone scheme, including 91 that are currently operating.

Government data show that investment under the scheme reached 425.7 billion CFA francs in 2024, equivalent to about 7% of the country's gross domestic product. Companies operating under the regime employ nearly 19,000 Togolese workers.

The reform is part of the implementation of the investment code adopted in June 2019. The legislation established the API-ZF to bring together the administration of the investment code and the management of free zone status under a single authority.

Authorities say the reform aims to improve coordination in investment promotion and streamline government oversight. Under the legislation, SAZOF will be dissolved and its responsibilities, rights and obligations transferred to the new agency.

The government said the dissolution process has now been completed.

“The process having now reached its conclusion, the Cabinet authorized the minister delegate in charge of investment promotion to submit for adoption the draft decree dissolving SAZOF and transferring its responsibilities to the API-ZF,” the government said.

R.E.D

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)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

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 .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

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)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

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)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.