Togo: US Ambassador Announces Upcoming Investments Totaling $4M

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Monday, 03 July 2023 07:44

Togo: US Ambassador Announces Upcoming Investments Totaling $4M

(Togo First) - On June 27, 2023, the US Ambassador to Togo, Elizabeth Fitzsimmons, announced two new investments in Togo during the early celebrations of the 247th anniversary of US independence.

The first investment-$3 million-will help local organizations fight food insecurity in northern Togo. "We are pleased to announce the provision of three million dollars, to help combat food insecurity in northern Togo," Fitzsimmons declared.

The second investment-$1 million-will finance the Togolese Federation of Disabled Persons' Associations. “Our goal is to enhance the resilience of young people and women with disabilities, and facilitate their adaptation to climate change,” the US official said.

Besides the announcements, Ambassador Fitzsimmons highlighted strong partnerships between the US and Togolese armed forces. She also announced that Togo has been included in the US presidential initiative against malaria since April–an initiative that will support Togo's most vulnerable citizens via a $12 million financing package.

Additionally, the ambassador stated that the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is set to provide Togo with a funding program to boost the digital and electricity sectors, worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Fitzsimmons concluded by revealing that several US universities are eager to collaborate with Togolese higher education institutions, reflecting the ongoing commitment of the US towards Togo.

Some of the Togolese officials present during the announcement included Cina Lawson, Minister of the Digital Economy and Transformation, Komla Dodzi Kokoroko, Minister of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education and Handicrafts, and Myriam Dossou, Minister of Grassroots Development, Youth, and Youth Employment.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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.