Togo continues reforms to improve business environment
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Togo First
Togo is pursuing several reforms aimed at improving its business environment, particularly for company creation and the settlement of commercial disputes. The digitisation of import and export procedures is also among the measures under way, according to Togo First.
Togo is continuing its business environment reforms in several areas, including company creation, contract enforcement, cross-border trade and access to essential services, reports Togo First. In the World Bank’s Doing Business 2020 ranking, the country was 15th worldwide and first in Africa for the indicator on starting a business.
To facilitate the settlement of commercial disputes, the Togolese authorities have notably established specialised chambers for small claims, created commercial chambers within courts of appeal and separated the handling of civil and commercial cases. Commercial courts have also been established in Lomé and Kara. The maximum period set for resolving a commercial dispute is 100 days. Lawyers and bailiffs also have access to the FORSETI digital commercial platform.
The government has also begun digitising import and export procedures to reduce the time required for cross-border trade. In the area of construction permits, Togo rose from 133rd to 127th place in the Doing Business 2020 ranking and introduced new measures to improve this result.
Property registration is another area of the reforms. The country is seeking to build on the progress recorded since 2018 and aims to overtake Rwanda, presented as Africa’s best performer on this indicator. Measures also concern businesses' access to electricity and water.
