Eléonore Lazat (Bloomberg): “Developing a regulatory framework is the starting point for a strong growth”

Energy

Monday, 28 May 2018 17:18

Eléonore Lazat (Bloomberg): “Developing a regulatory framework is the starting point for a strong growth”

(Togo First) - Last Friday, Eleonore Lazat, head of the Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) mission recently in Togo to collect data for the 2018 Climatescope report, was received by officials from the ministry of environment and forest resources. This was the last day of the mission in the country and on this occasion, Lazat told the minister’s cabinet director and others concerned by the study, about its impact on Togo’s clean energies sector.

Following this meeting, she agreed to answer some of our questions.

Togo First: Why did Bloomberg decide to pick Togo for its 2018 Climatescope report ?

Eléonore Lazat: The Climatescope’s mission is to collect data on and assess the clean energy sector in Togo. Once the data is secured, we can release them on a transparent, public platform which can be accessed by the private sector and developed nations that invest and seek new opportunities in markets they are not used to, like Togo. We wish to, as transparently and systematically possible, explain what goes on in Togo, in the renewable energies sector.

Togo First: Now that you have seen the state of things, do you think Togo is on the right path, looking at what has been done and targets?

Eléonore Lazat: Yes, of course, Togo is on the right path. But I must say it is barely starting on this road. There is a strong political will to achieve things. That is really impressive as it rarely happens elsewhere. The whole government, all ministries are working to boost the country’s clean energy production. In fact, a law was put in place for clean energies.

We also heard of investment codes that provide incentives to investors in this sector. A related regulatory framework is being developed. What is lacking now, is attracting private capitals.

Personally, I think this framework is being established and that is a good point to start from, it is the good way to attract investments and projects. Also, the first projects will pave the way, we hope, for more investments. Developing a regulatory framework is the starting point for a strong growth. However, efforts must be sustained to get there.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.