Agriculture, Environment: Togo Secures $5.7M from South Korea

Agriculture

Thursday, 06 March 2025 11:01

Agriculture, Environment: Togo Secures $5.7M from South Korea

(Togo First) - South Korea recently provided Togo with $5.7 million to support two major projects–one to boost agriculture and another to fight deforestation. The projects were officially launched on February 28, 2025, in Lomé, in the presence of Moon Dongkyu, representing the South Korean ambassador in Togo.

The first project, "Development of Socio-Economic Infrastructures to Support Rural Communities in Togo", received $3.5 million. It will focus on improving rural infrastructure by installing post-harvest processing solutions, solar-powered systems for agricultural processing, and clean drinking water facilities. Additionally, it will include an incubation program to train young people and women in managing environmentally sustainable businesses.

The second project, "Strengthening People's Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Management of Forest Resources", received $2.2 million. It aims to enhance governance and knowledge-sharing in shea parks, promote reforestation using high-quality shea seedlings, and improve post-harvest practices to increase income. The project seeks to strengthen sustainable shea production and conservation. It will be developed in partnership with local women and youth associations.

While funded by South Korea, the projects are implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute. They align with Togo’s efforts to fight climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In this regard, Dindiogue Kolani, Director of Cabinet for the Minister of Agriculture, commented: “In the current climate change context, it is imperative that Togo boosts rural communities’ resilience and develop appropriate infrastructure.”

Kolani also stressed global warming’s impact on rural areas: “Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, flooding, and soil degradation heavily impact these communities that rely on natural resources for their livelihoods.”

This funding builds on South Korea’s ongoing support for Togo in agriculture and environmental protection. South Korea is already involved in the Kara Agropole project and has also supported equitable access to essential services for children in northern Togo.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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.