EU grants Togo CFA9.5 billion to boost electrification in urban areas

Energy

Thursday, 25 November 2021 17:06

EU grants Togo CFA9.5 billion to boost electrification in urban areas

(Togo First) - The European Union (EU) will allocate CFA9.5 billion to the PERECUT - a Togolese program aimed at boosting access to electricity in urban areas. The grant agreement was signed on November 23 in Lomé by Sani Yaya, Togo's Minister of Economy and Finance, and Rémy Rioux, Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), on behalf of the EU.

Adding this facility, the EU has so far poured CFA45.6 billion in the PERECUT which was launched in 2020. In detail, the three-year program plans for the laying of 190km of medium voltage networks, 1,660 of low voltage networks, and the construction of 371 MV/LV transformer stations. "The project will also support the Electrification for All Program through the provision of 58,000 additional meters," a statement on the Presidency’s website notes.

"The grant agreement of 14.5 million euros (9.5 billion CFA francs), which we have just signed with the AFD’s Director-General reflects the excellence of cooperation relations between the European Union and the Togolese Republic," said Sani Yaya.

"This European Union grant delegated to AFD complements the concessional loan of 40 million euros (26.2 billion CFA francs) granted by AFD and a KFW grant of 15 million euros (about 10 billion euros) for the implementation of the project," Yaya added.

The new support facility was spearheaded by a group of European institutions called the Europe Team. This coalition, which includes the European Commission's Directorate for International Partnerships, the AFD and the KFW (German Development Fund), aims to better coordinate the actions of the EU and its member countries for the benefit of developing countries. It has been carrying out a mission in Lomé for some days now.

"Without electricity, society and the economy lack dynamism. I am particularly proud that the Team Europe Initiative with France, Germany and the European Union has been able to contribute to this important project," said Dénis Koen, Director of International Partnerships at the European Commission.

Klétus Situ

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.