Togo: President Faure Gnassingbé Calls for Global Cooperation at UN Summit

Politics

Tuesday, 24 September 2024 14:30

Togo: President Faure Gnassingbé Calls for Global Cooperation at UN Summit

(Togo First) - In New York, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé called for a global response to the crises affecting many countries during his speech at the Summit of the Future at the UN on September 23, 2024. He emphasized the need for international cooperation to tackle food, security, and environmental challenges.

Gnassingbé stated, "There is no better future than in the collective action of our States within renewed global political frameworks," urging a rethinking of multilateralism and the reform of outdated global institutions. The official also expressed optimism about Africa's future, viewing the continent as key to global market development, especially in green and blue economies. He believes Africa, with its vibrant youth and free-trade zone, is ready to adopt new partnership models, particularly those involving the private sector.

Gnassingbé advocated for public-private partnerships to create favorable conditions for private investment, asserting “Africa will continue to be home to most of the world's youth. This is where the potential for developing the markets of the future lies”.

Gnassingbé also supported ongoing UN reforms and called for equal representation of African nations on the international stage, declaring “We can only build a better future if all voices are heard and respected.”

While optimistic, he expressed concerns about international aid, which he believes often does not meet people's real needs. As a solution, he proposes “strengthening the role of African states in development aid, so that they become strategic and equitable partners”.

Upon returning to Togo, Gnassingbé reiterated the importance of building a strong state to lead development and humanitarian efforts in collaboration with the private sector and civil society. "In Togo, we are striving to build a strong state. We see this state at the center of any development and humanitarian aid solution, in collaboration with the private sector and civil society,” he noted.

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.