After a successful first edition held last week, from December 3 to 5, Togo will again host the West African Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS) next year. Abdoulaye Sylla, Portfolio Manager at EnergyNet, which co-organizes the summit, announced this on December 5, 2024.

The coming edition will be held in Lomé, the capital. Togo was picked for its notable advancements in energy transformation, particularly its goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030. “Togo is undergoing an energy transformation with clear objectives to achieve, including universal access to electricity by 2030. We chose Togo because it's a country that's moving forward,” Sylla said.

The upcoming summit will gather experts, policymakers, and investors to discuss the energy challenges in West Africa. The first summit focused on “Building energy sovereignty for sustainable development”, emphasizing cooperation in response to rising energy demands and the need for sustainable solutions.

Esaïe Edoh

In Togo, 137 MW of new renewable energy projects are under development. Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé revealed this on December 3 in Lomé. This was during the West Africa Energy Cooperation Summit (WA-ECS) held from December 3 to 5.

In her address, PM Dogbé highlighted Togo's commitment to renewable energy development through ambitious projects. Some of the country’s flagship renewable energy projects include Blitta’s PV plant, one of the largest in West Africa. It currently produces 50 MW, but this capacity is being expanded to 70 MW.

There is also the Dapaong solar power plant, under construction in northern Togo. This plant should produce 25 MW and have a 40 MWh storage system. It will benefit around 60 rural communities in the Savanes region.

Since 2020, Togo has increased its electrification rate from 52% to 69%, providing thousands of rural households electricity through solar kits and the Blitta solar power plant. 

Challenges Remain 

While Togo's electrification rate nears 70%, about half of West Africa's population still lacks electricity access, with some rural areas having rates below 10%. The Prime Minister emphasized that reliable and affordable energy is not just an economic necessity but also “a matter of social justice.”

The WA-ECS summit, organized by EnergyNet in partnership with the Togolese government and supported by the World Bank, focused on three main priorities: interconnecting power grids, integrating renewable energy, and mobilizing $30 billion in financing for approximately 60 projects by 2030.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

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Togolese citizens can now access four key services from the Electricity Company of Togo (CEET) online. These services are part of the public services electronic platform.

The online options include requesting a connection to the medium-voltage electricity grid, lodging complaints, paying bills and low-voltage work charges, and purchasing Cash Power credit. This initiative allows users to manage their energy needs quickly and conveniently.

The digitalization of CEET is part of Togo's national digital transformation strategy, which aims to modernize interactions between citizens and public institutions. The goal is to reduce the time taken to process administrative tasks.

The government aims to digitize at least 75% of administrative procedures by 2025.

The 19th Lomé International Trade Fair ended on December 8. This edition welcomed 704,000 visitors this year, against 580,000 (+21%) the previous edition. The fair was held at the Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires de Lomé (CETEF), and according to the Centre’s Managing Director, it was a “resounding success.” 

The number of exhibitors also grew. This year, around 1,300 exhibitors came from 22 countries, against 1,200 exhibitors (from 20 countries) last year. There were also more B2B meetings–680 against 647.

Looking ahead, the CETEF director stated that the 20th Lomé International Trade Fair “promises to be even more ambitious and innovative.” This year's fair focused on the theme: “Standards and qualities of products and services: tools for competitiveness and access to connected markets.” Mali, the guest country of honor, had around 20 exhibitors participating.

Esaïe Edoh

The National Organization for Excellence and Integral Development of Togo (ONEDI-Togo) officially launched the 7th edition of Togo Top Impact last Saturday. This year, the event, which celebrates exceptional individuals and initiatives, is placed under the theme “Promoting a society of excellence.”

The 7th edition includes 17 award categories, including four “popular” categories. These popular awards celebrate achievements such as Best Web Actor of the Year, Best Youth Initiative of the Year, Best Female Entrepreneurial Initiative of the Year, and Best Artisan of Citizen Engagement and Social Cohesion of the Year.

“This 7th edition is distinguished above all by its theme, which aims to promote a society of excellence. With the introduction of a category dedicated to web players, the aim is to showcase content with a real impact on society. This new edition also includes a social component, enriching masterclasses, and an evening dedicated to African integration,” explained Innocent Wotoglo, Secretary General of the organizing committee.

Out of the 17 categories, 13 will be judged by both public votes and a jury. The four popular categories will be voted on exclusively by the public. This approach aims to enhance civic engagement by allowing everyone to participate actively in the event.

According to the current schedule, the nominees will be revealed on December 15, and voting will commence on December 18. The grand award ceremony is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at the Hôtel Sarakawa in Lomé.

The previous edition of Togo Top Impact featured nearly 200 nominees and recognized around 20 individuals for their significant contributions to Togolese society.

The Togolese Assembly is reviewing the 2025 draft finance bill. Started on December 6, the review is carried out by the Finance and Economic Development Committee, led by Mawussi Djossou Sémodji. The bill was approved on November 6, by the Council of Ministers on November 26. 

The ongoing review is part of a parliamentary oversight framework to ensure transparency and efficiency in public policies. This step allows deputies to analyze and refine budgetary orientations in line with national priorities and global economic trends.

Kodjo Adédzé, President of the National Assembly, noted that this budgetary exercise occurs amid international economic uncertainties and financial market fluctuations. He emphasized that deputies must balance two key objectives: reducing the public deficit below community thresholds while maintaining social spending.

"Aware of this noble responsibility, I would like to invite everyone not to lose sight of the main objective: to clean up our public finances while meeting the social expectations of our fellow citizens," said Kodjo Adédzé.

After the committee completes its assessment, the bill will be presented to all MPs in a plenary session, for adoption before December 31, 2024, as required by law.

The 2025 Finance Bill outlines resources and expenses totaling CFA2,394.2 billion. Nearly half of the budget expenditure–49.7%-is allocated to the social sector. This is against 48% in 2024.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo has signed a framework agreement with the Commonwealth to boost cooperation in several key sectors. The agreement was initialed last week in London, by Togo's Prime Minister Victoire Dogbé and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland.

The partnership will focus on artificial intelligence, digital transformation, renewable energy, climate finance, and enhancing skills and human capital. It aims to strengthen institutional capacities and provide training in international contract negotiation.

At the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Dogbé stated: “We aim to have a positive impact on the lives of Togolese people, especially young people, by focusing on education, health, social protection, and access to essential services such as water and energy.”  She expressed optimism about the potential benefits of digital technology and AI for Togo's future.

This agreement follows discussions from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit (CHOGM) held in Samoa last October. Togo has previously benefited from scholarships through the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and is set to join the Commonwealth Games Federation in 2023.

Esaïe Edoh

Candidates for Togo’s coming senatorial polls must submit their applications between December 17 and 23. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) disclosed the dates on December 6.

According to the CENI’s eligibility criteria, candidates must be Togolese by birth, at least 35 years old on election day, and registered on an electoral roll. Candidates must be able to read, write, and communicate in the official language. Each candidate must have a deputy who meets the same requirements.

After the nomination period ends, CENI will publish a provisional list of candidates before sending it to the Constitutional Court for final validation within 72 hours.

These senatorial elections mark a significant moment in Togo's political history. In total, 41 senators will be elected to represent the country's 39 prefectures. Each prefecture will have one senator, except for Golfe and Agoè-Nyivé, which will each have two senators. Additionally, 20 senators will be appointed by the President of the Republic as per the new Constitution.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo will hold its first senatorial elections on February 2, 2025. The government announced the news on December 4, 2024, via a press release. 

The electoral campaign will begin on January 17 and end on January 31. Male and female candidates must deposit CFA300,000 and CFA150,000 to the Treasury, respectively, within 48 hours of publishing the provisional list of candidates.

The coming polls will help establish a second parliament chamber, as the country transitions into its Fifth Republic with a parliamentary system.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi