Togo: Government works on new plan to improve urban transport in Lomé

Transport

mercredi, 17 mai 2023 16:28

Togo: Government works on new plan to improve urban transport in Lomé

(Togo First) - Togolese authorities are working on a plan to equip Lomé, the capital, with an urban transport system that integrates changes in demographics. Works for the document’s elaboration started on May 16, after a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Road, air, and rail transport.

Known as the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), the plan’s elaboration is co-funded by the European Union Commission and the Covenant of Mayors for Sub-Saharan Africa (CoMSSA). The two entities pumped €600,000 into the project.

"Based on an approach that heavily relies on the multimodality of a transport system which is currently structured primarily around motorcycles and private cars, the SUMPs should guide the evolution of the transport system towards a greater balance between the different modes of travel," said the representative of the Minister of Transport, Michel Komlan Tindano.

This plan should help to address challenges such as road congestion, air pollution, road safety, and limited access to basic social services and equipment for inhabitants of the peripheral neighborhoods of Greater Lomé.

Lomé’s SUMP should be available in 14 months, according to the Ministry of Transport. During this period, a restructuring study of the Lomé Transport Company (SOTRAL) will be conducted.

The elaboration of the new mobility plan falls under a strategic project titled: "Development Plan for the 10 main municipalities". The latter is also part of the Togo 2025 Government Roadmap.

After Lomé, the project will be replicated in other cities of Togo.

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.