Corruption Perceptions Index 2017: Togo stagnates, according to Transparency International

Economic governance

Thursday, 22 February 2018 13:32

Corruption Perceptions Index 2017: Togo stagnates, according to Transparency International

(Togo First) - On Feb. 21, 2018, German NGO, Transparency International released its yearly report on corruption in public sector for 2017.

According to this year’s edition which ranked 180 countries, up from 176 a year before, Togo is no more corrupted than last year, or the year before that. Indeed, since 2015, the country’s score has been stagnating at 32, against 29 in 2014 and 2013.

Togo loses a place in the global ranking, falling to the 117^th position. However in Africa, it remains among the continent’s 25 least corrupted countries, despite falling two places in the regional ranking.

Worldwide, average score was 43 and sub-Saharan Africa is among the planet’s most corrupted regions. The continent’s average score is the same as Togo (32).

According to the report which focuses on linkages between corruption, press freedom and civic society engagement, more than two thirds of countries ranked have a score that is below average (50).

The study also states that each week, a journalist is killed in a highly corrupted country, highlighting that since 2012, most of journalists murdered around the world were in this country.

“Given current crackdowns on both civil society and the media worldwide, we need to do more to protect those who speak up,” said Patricia Moreira, Managing Director, Transparency International.

Back to the index, New Zealand and Denmark shared the first place, followed by Finland, Norway and Switzerland.

In the African Union, Botswana is the least corrupted nation. It is followed by Seychelles, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Namibia. In the WAEMU, Senegal, Burkina and Benin are the top three countries.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.