Energy-Mining: Last Year Was Busy in Togo

Energy

Friday, 03 January 2025 16:29

Energy-Mining: Last Year Was Busy in Togo

(Togo First) - In Togo, things moved a lot in 2024 in the energy and mining sectors. The country took on new solar projects, sealed strategic partnerships, and launched various initiatives to power the economy. In this article, find some of 2024’s highlights.

Forecast Energy Budget of CFA57 Billion

In 2024, the Togolese government allocated CFA57 billion for the energy sector. This funding supported initiatives like the CIZO program, a project to electrify 317 localities, and the expansion of the Blitta solar power plant. Both initiatives align with Lomé”s ambition to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030.

National Electrification Rate on the Rise

Togo has been undergoing an energy transformation for over a decade. The national electrification rate increased from 23% in 2010 to 60% in 2021, projected to reach around 70% by the end of 2024. Programs like the CIZO, the Tinga Fund for electricity connections, and new solar power plants, contributed to the surge.

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Electricity disruptions and rationing

Last year, outages were significant, mainly due to a supply crisis regionwide. To curb persistent load shedding, the government has gone the rationing route.

Summit on Energy Cooperation in West Africa in Lomé

From December 3 to 5, 2024, Lomé hosted the first summit focused on regional energy cooperation. Experts from 16 countries gathered to discuss infrastructure investments, cross-border collaborations, and renewable energy development.

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Strategic Agreements with Haier and RELP

During the summit, Togo signed agreements with Haier and RELP to enhance solar energy storage and improve photovoltaic production. These efforts align with Togo's goal of achieving 50% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2030.

Agreement for Micro-Nuclear Reactors

On December 2, 2024, Togo signed a key agreement with Nano Nuclear Energy, to generate power from micro-nuclear reactors. Under this cooperation, Lomé plans to establish the Togo Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) to oversee the peaceful use of nuclear technology.

$200 Million for Energy Reforms

Last month, the World Bank approved a $200 million financing package for Togo. This funding will support energy reforms, including a new tariff structure and initiatives for sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation.

While there are still roadblocks, including cyclical crises and other issues in the way of Lomé’s universal access to electricity target, the work done in 2024 could propel Togo's energy transition and create a more resilient system for 2025.

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Dapaong Solar Power Plant Project Tender

In April 2024, Togo announced an international call for tenders for a 25 MW solar power plant in Dapaong, complete with a 40 MWh energy storage system. The project aims to boost access to electricity in the north, under the Programme d'Urgence de Renforcement de la Résilience dans la Région des Savanes (PURS).

Prices Down

In December 2024, the government announced a reduction in the kilowatt-hour rate for some of the public utility’s customers. The goal is to make electricity more affordable for low-income households.

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Progress in Mining Transparency

Togo scored 74 out of 100 on its implementation of the 2019 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) standard, reflecting improvements in mining sector transparency.

Gautier Agbekodovi

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.