Covid-19: More than 500 cases confirmed as Togo prepares to restart its economy

Health

Thursday, 11 June 2020 15:11

Covid-19: More than 500 cases confirmed as Togo prepares to restart its economy

(Togo First) - Last Tuesday, Togo passed 500 confirmed cases of Covid-19, about three months after the first case was reported. Out of the infected, 260 recovered and 13 died, according to official sources.

In Togo, the time it took for the number of cases to double is presently estimated at 26 days (against an average standard of 7 to 10 days). This rate is similar to other countries of the region, notably Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali. Also, the infection curve has relatively flattened.

Distribution of cases in Togo

In detail, about half of the infected (51.90% exactly) have recovered, against 45% still active. Meanwhile, the country recorded a mortality rate of 2.59%, according to official figures.

Imported cases, which caused the overall number of confirmed cases to peak a few weeks ago, now make up about 40% of infected individuals, against 62% for locally infected cases. Most cases are situated in Lomé and its surroundings.

Other figures show that the greatest share of infected cases are aged between 25 and 34 years (more than 152 cases); next are individuals in the 35-44 years age range (125 cases) and 15-24 years (87 cases). Regarding the mortality rate, the largest group affected is that of people of more than 45 years (5 deaths over 13), followed by those aged between 35 and 44 years (4 deaths over 13).

Time to restart the economy

Now, Togolese authorities are taking steps to restart the economy while ensuring that populations keep following the imposed safety measures.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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.