Nigeria has more influence on Togo than the ECOWAS and the AU (Survey)

Politics

Wednesday, 22 December 2021 10:09

Nigeria has more influence on Togo than the ECOWAS and the AU (Survey)

(Togo First) - A majority of Togolese citizens believe that Nigeria plays a more positive role than the ECOWAS and the African Union (AU) in Africa. This is according to a recent survey by Afrobaromètre. Conducted over Jan 2020-Jan 2021, the study’s results were released on December 17. It covered a sample population of 1,200 adults.

"On the African continent, ECOWAS (52%) and the sub-regional superpower Nigeria (64%) are seen positively by the majority of Togolese. On the other hand, just 45% rate the influence of the African Union positively,” the survey’s report reads.

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In detail, more than six out of 10 Togolese (64% of those surveyed) think Nigeria has a very positive or somehow positive economic and political influence on their country’s economy. This is against “only” 52% who think positively of the ECOWAS’ actions and 45% for the AU.

Three out of 10 (27%) of the surveyed said they have no opinion about the AU’s influence in Togo.

Regarding foreign powers, the survey found that many Togolese believe Fance has a relatively negative influence on Togo, while the US and China are seen positively. The US especially is considered as a model of development by a majority of those surveyed.

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.