$22.5M more for Off-Grid Electricity Access Project

Energy

Friday, 12 March 2021 18:01

$22.5M more for Off-Grid Electricity Access Project

(Togo First) - The Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEP) will benefit from an additional $22.5 million (CFA12.3 billion). The facility was approved on March 11, 2021, by the World Bank.

These resources allocated in the form of grants from the International Development Association (IDA) and the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) aim to support the development of the market for stand-alone solar systems in West and Central Africa, particularly in the Sahel countries. This facility complements the first round of financing of CFA150 billion approved in April 2019 by the Washington-based institution through its branch dedicated to developing countries and $67.2 million made available by the CTF.

In total, 19 countries, including Togo, are covered by the project. "It will support activities to accelerate the deployment of stand-alone solar systems in a region where 50% of the population has no access to electricity, and less than 3% of its inhabitants use this type of innovative technology," says the World Bank.

The project reinforces the momentum to develop a regional off-grid market, through the harmonization of policies, standards, and trade procedures.

According to the World Bank, the initiative will also support energy companies, that promote off-grid, with acceleration programs and provide aid and loans for the deployment of off-grid solar home installations.

Regarding Togo, the report of a study published in 2019 by ROGEP showed that the country had a potential market for the Off-Grid estimated at 500,000 households subdivided into 3 categories: households, productive systems (mills, drinking water supply), and public services (schools, health centers).

In addition to the ROGEP, several private operators, including Bboxx, Soleva, and Fénix, have joined the CIZO initiative, a flagship program for rural electrification using individual solar kits in Togo.

Séna Akoda

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.