Togo: Private Sector Contributed 76.8% of GDP in 2024

Economic governance

Tuesday, 01 April 2025 13:00

Togo: Private Sector Contributed 76.8% of GDP in 2024

(Togo First) - The Togolese private sector contributed 76.8% of the national GDP last year, down from 77.1% the year before. The figures were shared on March 28 in Lomé, during the State-Private Sector Technical Consultation Committee meeting.

Essowè Georges Barcola, Minister of Economy and Finance, praised private companies for generating nearly 98% of jobs in Togo. "The private sector’s ability to innovate and propose solutions makes it central to our economic resilience," he said.

A government-private sector tax dialogue

A key outcome of the meeting was the announcement of a structured fiscal dialogue between the government and the private sector ahead of the 2026 budget process. The dialogue aims to align both sides’ views on taxation and boost the private sector’s support for budgetary decisions. Planned actions include workshops on agricultural taxation, accounting training, and SME promotion initiatives.

Recommendations from the private sector

Private sector representatives welcomed the initiative at the meeting. Yva Badohoun, speaking on behalf of the private sector, outlined seven key recommendations to improve Togo’s business climate and foster inclusive economic growth.

Badohoun’s proposals include clarifying tax rules for imported software, reassessing taxes on telecommunications and ICT companies (TETIC), and activating the CAR and CARLD commissions to ensure swift and fair tax arbitration. He also emphasized appointing commission members with an operational timetable by June 2025 and simplifying customs procedures to cut costs and delays in commercial activities.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

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.