HAPLUCIA Ramps Up Efforts to Tackle Corruption in Public Procurement Area

Economic governance

Wednesday, 28 August 2024 14:28

HAPLUCIA Ramps Up Efforts to Tackle Corruption in Public Procurement Area

(Togo First) - Togo's High Authority for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (HAPLUCIA) has launched regional workshops to reduce corruption in the public procurement process. The workshops kicked off on August 26, 2024, in Lomé, during a two-day meeting themed "Role and responsibilities of members of public procurement management bodies in preventing and combating corruption in public procurement ". The HAPLUCIA teamed up with the procurement regulation authority for this project.

In detail, the workshops aim to educate officials about their roles and responsibilities, by better acquainting them with anti-corruption laws.

According to HAPLUCIA’s President, Kimelabalou Agba, insufficient knowledge of the laws in place is a major cause for persistent corruption. “Despite the efforts made by the various States, corruption persists in all sectors. This situation can be explained by ignorance of the texts…the fight against corruption in public procurement requires action at several levels. Some of the actors most likely to be corrupted are those managing public procurement deals,” the official said.

Dagba also said public officials must have integrity, be impartial, and refuse bribes.

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.