Togo: Exports to Other ECOWAS States Reached Nearly CFA400 Billion in H1 2024

Economic governance

Thursday, 26 September 2024 16:35

Togo: Exports to Other ECOWAS States Reached Nearly CFA400 Billion in H1 2024

(Togo First) - In the first half of 2024, Togo's exports to West Africa reached nearly CFA400 billion, driven by strong port activity and re-exports. The country maintained a positive trade balance with other ECOWAS countries. The ECOWAS has 15 member States. Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali recently exited the block.

According to data from the National Institute of Economic, Statistical, and Demographic Studies (INSEED-Togo), exports from Togo to ECOWAS amounted to CFA217.7 billion in H1 2024, up 0.2% year-on-year. Between Q1 and Q2 2024, Togolese exports slumped by 10.9%.

Regarding imports, Togo spent CFA93 billion to buy goods from its ECOWAS peers, over the first half of this year. Between Q1 and Q2 2024, the sum was up 33%. Overall, Togo recorded a trade surplus of CFA124.6 billion with its neighbors.

The West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which includes eight French-speaking West African countries and Guinea-Bissau, accounted for about 85% of Togo's exports in H1 2024. Exports to the Union totaled CFA184.8 billion. Between Q1 and Q2 2024, they slumped by 9.4%.

For Togo, the trade balance with WAEMU was more favorable than with ECOWAS. While imports from WAEMU rose to CFA49 billion, the trade balance remained in surplus at CFA135.7 billion.

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.