The Ministry of Security and Civil Protection in Togo now offers six services online through the Service Public platform.

The services include requesting permission for tinted windows, electrifying barbed wire, obtaining security coverage for private events, requesting entry into Togo, reporting incidents involving law enforcement, and sending suggestions to the Ministry.

This move is part of Togo's effort to digitize public services and simplify administrative processes. The option to report incidents involving law enforcement was announced recently.

Users can submit requests and make payments directly on the platform.

Togo will spend CFA72 billion to build and rehabilitate its roads this year. This is 14% less than last year–CFA84 billion.

The new figure, set under the 2025 Finance Act, represents 78% of the budget allocated to the Ministry of Infrastructure, CFA92 billion. Part of the funds will be used to complete and asphalt roads under construction. They will also support new road projects, and help advance a project to rehabilitate 180 km (about 112 miles) of roads. The latter project was announced last year. 

These initiatives align with the government's goal to modernize Togo's extensive road network, which spans over 11,700 km (about 7,300 miles). The objective is to improve traffic flow within Togo and bolster its position as a regional logistics hub.

Recently, construction began on the Sokodé bypass, located approximately 340 kilometers north of Lomé. This project involves building 16 kilometers of road, divided into two main sections: the Tchalo-Kpario section, measuring 12.7 kilometers, and the Kpario-Kidèoudè section, which is 3.3 kilometers long.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh  

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo’s telecom regulator, ARCEP, has set new price limits for wholesale services at the country level. The change is effective since January 16, 2025. 

The amendment significantly lowers costs. For example, the monthly rental price for dark optical fiber has been reduced by 60%, from CFA75 to CFA30 per linear meter. The goal is to make it easier and cheaper for operators and internet service providers to access national and international transmission networks.

This change comes after a cost audit covering TOGOCOM and MOOV AFRICA TOGO. The ARCEP aims to achieve two main things with this initiative: to promote broadband internet expansion in Togo's inland areas and to foster competition in the retail market. This should help reduce prices for consumers.

Additionally, an August 2022 decree about sharing passive infrastructure supports these efforts. Overall, the aim is to create a fair and competitive market while helping the government's digital reforms.

In response, the Authority "calls on the operators concerned to comply immediately and scrupulously with this decision, while urging all fixed and mobile operators present on the market to work to accelerate the coverage of broadband services," according to a press release.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Cina Lawson, Togo's Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation, is in Davos, Switzerland for the World Economic Forum (WEF). During the event, which opened on January 20 and ends on January 24, Lawson will share the Togolese vision for digital transformation.

Among others, Lawson will cover artificial intelligence (AI), how it should be governed, and the leadership needed during this technological change. She will also share her thoughts on fostering an inclusive and innovative future based on Togo's experiences in the digital field.

Honorée de participer au Forum Économique Mondial (@wef) 2025, une tribune majeure pour échanger sur les défis mondiaux et explorer des solutions innovantes.

Je m'exprimerai principalement sur l'#IA, sa gouvernance et le leadership adapté à son ère, des sujets clés pour… pic.twitter.com/patfErwzXG

— Cina Lawson (@cinalawson) January 20, 2025

The Minister will also try to establish partnerships with other attendees to secure funding for projects supported by the Togolese government, especially for digitizing public services.

Launched in 1971, the WEF is an annual meeting that gathers global business leaders, politicians, academics, and influential bankers. It aims to foster international cooperation on important political, social, and economic issues.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh  

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The Togolese government has repurchased Union Togolaise de Banque (UTB) headquarters and IB Bank to help stabilize these struggling banks, which hold 20% of Togo's banking sector assets. The IMF has advised that after UTB completes its restructuring, the government should consider privatizing the lender.

Last year, the government took control of the buildings. These banks account for 20% of Togo's banking sector assets. The IMF confirmed that buying UTB's head office alone cost CFA31 billion.

UTB: Positive Equity at Last

UTB has struggled with negative equity for years, but it is starting to recover thanks to this acquisition and an additional capital injection of CFA12.6 billion. An independent audit shows that the bank is getting closer to meeting the capital requirements set by the WAEMU Banking Commission. However, a restructuring plan must be completed by April 2025, with full implementation by October. During this time, UTB will remain under public control before being privatized.

This plan will be based on findings from an external audit conducted in 2023 and aims to ensure UTB's profitability and stability while it is still publicly owned. The IMF encourages authorities to pursue privatization soon after restructuring to reduce long-term financial risks.

IB Bank: Mixed Signals

IB Bank, which was sold to Burkinabe businessman Mahamadou Bonkoungou in 2021, has had mixed results. Selling its former headquarters has eased some financial pressure and improved its regulatory capital but has not guaranteed stability. A reform plan is already in place and has been submitted to the banking commission. This plan includes increasing capital from private sources, reducing loans linked to shareholders, and withdrawing loans from institutions with negative equity. The IMF warns that without significant private investment and these reforms, IB Bank will continue to face structural challenges.

Despite these issues, IB Bank is starting to recover. After several years of losses, it returned to profit in 2024. Reports suggest these positive results should continue this year, supported by significant write-backs of provisions and a focus on government commitments.

A Hefty Bill

These actions are costly. The Togolese government set aside over CFA69 billion ($108.2 million) in its 2024 budget to support both banks. The IMF notes that this spending could worsen an already strained public deficit, estimating that restoring the banking sector might cost 1.5% of GDP.

According to the Togolese officials, there is a need to improve governance and economic fundamentals to prevent the banking sector from declining further. Some IMF documents reviewed by Togo First reveal that two smaller banks representing 9% of sector assets have started failing to meet prudential standards according to IMF documents. The same source indicates that one bank exceeds limits on non-operational assets and capital requirements; the other breaches risk concentration standards.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Togo plans to issue its second operation on the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) public securities market next Friday, January 24. The treasury will issue fungible bonds (OATs) and fungible bills (BATs) to raise CFA20 billion.

In detail, Lomé plans to raise CFA10 billion via the BATs, and the same via the OATs.  The former securities have a face value of CFA1 million, multiple interest rates, and mature over 364 days, while the latter securities have a nominal value of CFA10,000, an interest rate of 6.25%, and mature over three years.

Proceeds will help fund Togo's 2025 budget, set to stand at CFA2,397 billion, income and expenses. 

Togo targets CFA332 billion on the WAMU market this year. It has already secured CFA22 billion in its first issue.

Esaïe Edoh

Applications for the "Investment Readiness" program are open. The program helps Togolese startups learn how to raise money, organize their projects better, and attract investors. It is run by the Ministry of Digital Economy and backed by the European Union(EU).

The six-month program, supported mainly by the European Union (EU), will offer practical training, personalized coaching, and chances to connect with experts. The goal is to create funding strategies matching each company's growth stage and help them better communicate with investors.

This initiative is part of the Togolese government's efforts to promote technological innovation, especially in the digital field. To apply, businesses need to meet certain criteria, including having a viable business model, being innovative, making an impact, having financial capacity, and being ready to raise funds.

Applications are open until February 3, 2025.