Zambian Samuel Maimbo Seeks Togo’s Support to Become Next AfDB Boss

Politics

Monday, 24 March 2025 16:05

Zambian Samuel Maimbo Seeks Togo’s Support to Become Next AfDB Boss

(Togo First) - Samuel Munzele Maimbo, Vice-President of the World Bank, was in Lomé, Togo, on March 20. He came seeking support for his election as the next African Development Bank (AfDB) president.

Before Togo, the Zambian economist was in Mauritania, in October 2024, and Chad, in February. In Togo, Maimbo met with President Faure Gnassingbé to present his vision and seek support, commending the country as a model of regional integration.

Lomé’s Strategic Role in the AfDB Race

As the race for the AfDB presidency heats up, Lomé has emerged as a key player in Africa’s diplomatic landscape. Maimbo emphasized Togo’s importance not only as a voting bloc but also as a unifier of African consensus.

“Togo is outperforming many African economies,” Maimbo said in an interview with Togo First. “Its growth is strong, debt is under control, inflation is contained, and it has made strategic investments in infrastructure.”

A member of Maimbo’s campaign team highlighted Lomé’s growing influence, noting its balanced diplomacy and ability to mediate diverse perspectives across the continent.

The Port of Lomé: A Symbol of Integration

Maimbo praised the Port of Lomé as a cornerstone of African economic integration. He described it as more than just Togolese infrastructure. According to the economist, the port is a regional hub that exemplifies how investments can unify Africa.

“One of Togo’s greatest assets is the Port of Lomé,” Maimbo said. “It’s not just vital for Togo; it’s an economic engine for the entire region.” He stressed that infrastructure like roads, pipelines, ports, and trade corridors is essential for building a unified African market. “Togo understands this,” he added, “and its investments benefit both itself and its neighbors.”

A Tight Race for AfDB Leadership

Maimbo faces stiff competition from Senegal’s Amadou Hott, Chad’s Abbas Tolli, Mauritania’s Sidi Ould Tah, and South Africa’s Bajabulile Tshabalala. Backed by SADC and COMESA, Maimbo has built his platform around practical solutions to Africa’s challenges. The election, scheduled for May 29, 2025, will see African countries control 60% of the vote and non-African nations hold 40%.

“If elected AfDB President, I will champion initiatives like those in Togo. African integration requires concrete projects that deliver sustainable results. Togo shows what works, and we must build on these successes to accelerate development across the continent,” Maimbo declared in Lomé.

With the election nearing, diplomatic efforts are intensifying. Lomé remains at the heart of negotiations that could shape Africa’s development financing for years ahead.

This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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.