Togo Launches Sustainable Financing Framework to Attract Investments

Economic governance

Tuesday, 15 October 2024 15:31

Togo Launches Sustainable Financing Framework to Attract Investments

(Togo First) - The Togolese government wants to draw more investments supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, Lomé released a Sustainable Financing Framework created by Essowè Georges Barcola, Ministry of Economy and Finance. The framework was unveiled on October 9, 2024. The document aims to draw national and international partners interested in projects with strong social and environmental impact.

The framework is a "roadmap" for directing funds into key sectors, detailing fourteen categories of eligible spending. Out of the 14 categories, five focus on climate and environmental actions. The other nine are dedicated to priority social projects aimed at vulnerable populations.

"Our priority is to attract investments that not only support inclusive economic growth in Togo but also respect the environment and improve the quality of life of our citizens," said Essowè Georges Barcola, Minister of Finance and Economy.

The goal is to promote inclusive economic growth while enhancing living conditions for citizens, in line with the government's Togo 2025 roadmap.

The framework has been validated by S&P Global Ratings, ensuring it meets international standards set by organizations like the International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and the Loan Market Association (LMA).

Now, the government calls on private sector players, civil society organizations, and development partners to engage in this initiative to help build a sustainable future for Togo.

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.