Togo to deploy a $2.5mln project to boost national and regional capacities to tackle climate change

Economic governance

Friday, 28 April 2023 19:59

Togo to deploy a $2.5mln project to boost national and regional capacities to tackle climate change

(Togo First) - Togo will deploy a new project to strengthen national and regional capacities in facing climate risks. Called "Project to strengthen national and regional capacities for effective climate risk management in Togo," the initiative is funded by the Green Climate Fund (nearly $2.5 million). It will be implemented over 36 months, with the FAO’s support.

The project was officially launched on April 25, during a ceremony chaired by the minister of environment, Foli-Bazi Katari. The minister of maritime economy, Edem Kokou Tengue, was also present.

The project has four components: strengthening the institutional architecture and governance for climate risk management at the national and regional levels, improving the data and knowledge base on climate change vulnerabilities, promoting private sector engagement and investment in adaptation, and developing the monitoring, reporting and financing management system for climate change adaptation.

While launching the project, Minister Foli-Bazi thanked the Green Climate Fund and the FAO for helping Togo make its ecosystems and people more resilient to climate change and its adverse impact.

"In view of the commitment of the Togolese government and the importance it has placed on sustainable environmental management, FAO will spare no effort to contribute to the achievement of the expected results," said for his part, Dr. Djiwa Oyétoundé, program officer at FAO.

The country should also continue to benefit from the FAO’s support, on other projects with the GEF-8 (Global Environment Facility), specifically in the area of sustainable forest management.

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.