Togo Plans Subcontracting Exchange to Support SMEs

Economic governance

Monday, 03 February 2025 16:32

Togo Plans Subcontracting Exchange to Support SMEs

(Togo First) - The Togolese government and private sector are working together to improve cooperation between large companies and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). At the Subcontracting and Partnerships Forum in Lomé on January 30, 2025, they discussed creating a subcontracting exchange to help SMEs connect with larger companies.

This forum was part of the second edition of the Private Sector Days which gathered government officials, business leaders, financial institutions, and SME representatives. The theme was "Partnership between large companies and SMEs: a lever for economic development." The discussions highlighted the need for a structured system to help SMEs access the markets of larger firms.

On the occasion, Rose Kayi Mivedor, the Minister of Commerce, stressed the importance of supporting the private sector for sustainable development. “Given the private sector’s importance for our country's development, its promotion must remain a priority,” she said.

The proposed subcontracting exchange could be a digital platform where large companies post their subcontracting needs, and qualified SMEs offer their services. Aboki Vignon, President of the Groupement Togolais des Très Petites, Petites et Moyennes Entreprises (GTPME)(Micro, small, and medium-sized business group), pointed out that while SMEs make up 90% of businesses in Togo, they often struggle to join larger value chains. Jonas Daou from the Association des Grandes Entreprisesdu Togo (AGET)(Large business association) added that issues like governance, access to financing, and human resource management hinder the growth of private businesses.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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.