Green Climate Fund Reaccredits the West African Development Bank to Combat Climate Change

Finance

Tuesday, 18 July 2023 11:45

Green Climate Fund Reaccredits the West African Development Bank to Combat Climate Change

(Togo First) - The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has reaccredited the West African Development Bank (BOAD) at the end of its 36th Board of Directors meeting held from July 10 to 13, 2023, in South Korea. The Fund will thus provide the African lender with resources to fight against climate change in line with its 2024-2027 strategic plan.

The reaccreditation includes more financing for environmental and social projects. In effect, the BOAD could get up to $250 million, or about CFA146 billion, per project for the WAEMU States.

The WAEMU States will receive grants and loans at rates between 0 and 1.75% as well as guarantees, and refinancing lines to fight against the harmful effects of climate change.

"At BOAD, we remain determined to support our member states in financing projects aimed at mitigating the harmful effects of climate change, and to support their efforts towards a decarbonized economic development, in line with the commitments of our strategic plan 2021-2025, one of which is to dedicate 25% of our financing to support our member states in strengthening their resilience to climate change," said Serge Ekue, President of BOAD.

The GCF attributes the reaccreditation to BOAD’s recent investments and performances in areas of interest such as infrastructure, production and access to energy, livelihoods of people and communities, forests and land use, ecosystems and ecosystem services, health, food, and water security.

The Green Climate Fund is a global fund created to help developing countries tackle climate change and its impact, helping them cap or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.

Esaïe Edoh

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.