RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/TPR/G/166 
29 May 2006  
 
(06-2490) 
Trade Policy Review Body Original:  French 
   
 
  
 
TRADE POLICY REVIEW 
 
Report by 
 
TOGO 
 
  
 
Pursuant to the Agreement Establishi ng the Trade Policy Review Mechanism 
(Annex 3 of the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade 
Organization), the policy statement by Togo is attached. 
 
 
Note: This report is subject to restricted circul ation and press embargo until the end of the meeting 
of the Trade Policy Review Body on Togo. Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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CONTENTS 
ACRONYMS AND A BBREVIATIONS 5 
I. OVERVIEW 7 
II. MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 7 
 
2.1 Macroeconomic policy 7  2.1.1 Economic situation 7 
 2.1.2 Economic outlook 8 
 
2.2 Foreign investment regime 10 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES 10 
 
3.1 General trade policy objectives 10 
 3.2 Trade laws and regulations 11 
 3.2.1 Foreign trade 11 
 3.2.2 Domestic trade 12  3.2.3 Fiscal measures 12 
 3.2.4 Tariff measures 12 
 3.2.5 Trade support structures 12 
 3.2.6 Trade agreements 13 
 3.2.6.1 Bilateral trade agreements 13 
 3.2.6.2 Regional trade agreements 13  3.2.6.3 Multilateral trade agreements 13 
 3.2.7 Togo's commitments under the WTO Agreement 13 
 3.2.7.1 Trade in goods 13  3.2.7.2 Trade in services 13 
 3.2.7.3 Trade-related aspect of intellectual property 13 
 3.2.7.4 Notifications 13 
 3.2.7.5 Trade Policy Review 13 
3.2.8 Trade-related technical assistance 14 
IV. SECTORAL POLICIES 14 
 
4.1 Agriculture 14 
 
4.2 Environment and natural resource management 15 
 4.3 Industry, Mining and Handicrafts 15 
 4.3.1 Industry 15 
 4.3.2 Mining 16  4.3.3 Handicrafts 16 
 4.3.4 Services 17 
 4.3.4.1 Transport 17  4.3.4.2 Post and telecommunications 17 
 4.3.4.3 Electricity and water 18 
 4.3.4.4 Tourism 18 
V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 18 
 Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 
 
ACP   African, Caribbean and Pacific States  EPAs   Economic Partnership Agreements ARPT  Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority  ADB   African Development Bank WB   World Bank  
CCIT  Chamber of Commerce and  Industry of Togo 
CEB   Benin Electricity Community ECOWAS  Economic Community of West African States  CEET  Togo Electric Power Company CETEF  Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires de Lomé  
CFE   Centre for Business Formalities 
CNCC   National Competition and Consumption Commission CNCT   National Shippers Council of Togo CRM   Regional Chambers of Trades IPRSP   Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper  
PRSP  Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 
CFAF   Communauté Française Africaine  IMF   International Monetary Fund PRGF   Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility INN   National Standardisation Institute INPIT  National Institute for Industrial Property and Technology 
INQM  National Institute for Qu ality Control and Metrology  
JITAP   Joint Integrated Technical Assistance Programme   OAPI/AIPO African Intellectual Property Organization OHADA  Organization for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa  WTO  World Trade Organization  
MDGs   Millennium Development Goals  
WIPO   World Intellectual Property Organization UN   United Nations  PAL   Autonomous Port of Lomé  PGFF  Refrigerant Management Plan  GDP   Gross Domestic Product 
LDCs   Least Developed Countries 
PMOB  Biosecurity Implementation Plan HIPC   Highly Indebted Poor Countries   RCCM  Register of Commerce and Personal Property Transactions SALT   Lomé-Tokoin Airport Company 
SNCUDB  National Strategy for the Conservati on and Sustainable Use of the Biodiversity  
TdE   Togolese Water Company  VAT   Value Added Tax AU   African Union   EU  European Union  WAEMU  West African Economic and Monetary Union  
ZF   Free Zone  Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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I. OVERVIEW 
1. Togo is in West Africa.  It has the shape of a more or less rectangular corridor varying 
between 50 and 150 km. in width and located betw een the Republic of Benin to the east and the 
Republic of Ghana to the west.  The country exte nds lengthwise some 600 km. between the Atlantic 
Ocean to the south and Burkina Faso to th e north.  It has a surface area of 56,600 km2. 
2. Togo became independent on 27 April 1960 under the official name of the Togolese 
Republic.  Since 1992, Togo's political system has b een governed by the Constitution of the Fourth 
Republic.  Based on democratic values, Togo's is a semi-presidential, multiparty regime. 
3. The country has five regions that are subdi vided into prefectures.  Under the last 
administrative reform of 1991, the country was divided up into 30 prefectures and four sub-prefectures.  The latest estimates put the Togolese population at 5.1 million in 2004 with an average 
density of 90 inhabitants per square kilometre.  Togo's population is comprised of some 40 ethnic 
groups and is unevenly distributed over the five regions. 
4. Togo is a member of several international, regional and subregional organizations including 
the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Treaty 
on the Harmonization of Business Law in Afri ca (OHADA), the African Intellectual Property 
Organization (OAPI), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West 
African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU ), the Council of the Entente and the Benin 
Electricity Community (CEB). 
II. MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT 
5. Since the first trade policy review in 1999, th e Togolese authorities have pressed ahead with 
the adjustment process undertaken to restore econom ic viability through structural reforms and to 
stimulate a return to growth.   
6. Yet Togo's economy remains vulnerable to a range  of factors that affect its development 
policy, including: 
- A climate marked by irregular rain fall which affects agricultural output; 
- the international environment, whose paramete r s  a r e  h a r d  t o  c o n t r o l .   T o g o  i s  a t  
present adversely affected by the suspension of economic cooperation with the 
European Union, the persisting political cris is and the deteriorating terms of trade 
among other things. 
2.1 Macroeconomic policy 
2.1.1 Economic situation 
7. In the last five years (2001-2005) the T ogolese economy grew on average at the relatively 
slow pace of 2.1 per cent a year.  This average is the result of a very mixed growth pattern ranging 
from negative growth in 2003 to real growth of 4. 2 per cent in 2004, followed by a serious slowdown 
in 2005 instead of the expected growth of some 1 per cent.  
8. With an average population growth rate of 2. 4 per cent per annum, household standards of 
living declined, as per capita GDP fe ll from CFAF 206,024 in 2001 to CFAF 195,799 in 2003, before 
rising again to CFAF 207,509 in 2005. WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
Page 8 
 
 
9. Inflation was held below the 3 per cent threshol d set by the WAEMU, except in 2005 when it 
reached 6.7 per cent, driven by  a surge in commodity prices between April and June 2005. 
10. Despite the remarkable breakthrough of the te rtiary sector in recent years, the Togolese 
economy remains dependent on the primary sector. 
11. Agriculture is still the dominant sector, accounting for some 36 per cent of GDP.  It continues 
to drive growth, and expanded at an average of 2.9 per cent in the last five years.  It is also the largest 
provider of jobs, employing 70 to 80 per cent of the workforce. 
12. Food crops (maize, cassava, yam, sorghum (milo ), rice, beans, groundnut, etc.) and export 
crops (cotton, coffee, cocoa, etc.) make up roughly 30 per cent of GDP, and growth has fluctuated 
between 0.4 and 8.1 per cent over the past five  years as climatic conditions have varied. 
13. Livestock farming accounts for 5.3 per cent of GDP and the national herd is estimated at 
some 334,000 head of cattle, 4.8 million sheep and goats, 500,000 pigs, the national poultry stock 
amounting to some 13 million. 
14. Fisheries and forestry make up 3.4 per cent of GDP. 
15. The secondary sector accounts for some 19 per cent of GDP and grew at an average of 2.4 per 
cent per annum between 2001 and 2005.  It compri ses extractive industries (4.1 per cent of GDP), 
manufacturing (9.1 per cent of GDP), electric pow er, gas and water (3.4 per cent of GDP) and 
construction and public works (2.3 per cent of GDP). 
16. Overall, the tertiary sector accounts for 26.7 per cent of GDP.  Its major component is trade, 
which makes up 11.6 per cent of GDP.  This sector has grown by an average of 3.1 per cent over the 
past five years. 
17. As to public finances, budget receipts have  stagnated at 11.4 per cent of GDP, whilst 
government spending has risen by 10.4 per cen t owing to a 3.6 per cent increase in current 
expenditure and a 95.6 per cent increase in capital expe nditure.  The upshot has been a deterioration in 
the budget balance to -2.3 per cent of GDP in 2005 from 1.4 per cent in 2004. 
18. As for the public debt, 60.8 per cent of it represents commitments to the World Bank, the IMF 
and the ADB, whilst 39.2 per cent is comprised of bilateral debt.  Outstanding foreign debt has 
increased by 4.9 per cent to 72.4 per cent of the ov erall public debt.  Domestic debt, estimated at 
almost CFAF 240 billion, is a serious burden on the private sector. 
19. To offer some relief to private creditors a nd reinvigorate production, the Government has 
invited tenders for an audit of the debt and the im plementation of a debt-settlement strategy.  Debt 
servicing amounts to 10.7 per cent of goods and servi ces exports and 35.8 per cent of tax receipts. 
20. On the foreign trade front, exports of phosphat es have contracted by 37.4 per cent and those 
of cotton by 31.9 per cent as a result of plummeting wo rld prices.  In parallel, and mainly as a result 
of the rising oil bill, imports have increased by 21.4 per cent.  These trends ha ve led to a deterioration 
in the current account deficit, despite the growth of clinker exports. 
2.1.2 Economic outlook 
21. In November 2004 the Togolese Government adopt ed an Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy 
Paper (IPRSP) and expects to reach the decision point under the Highly Indebted Poor Country Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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(HIPC) Initiative before December 2006 by sp eeding up finalization of the Poverty Reduction 
Strategy Paper (PRSP).  This should allow the count ry to benefit from all the advantages of the HIPC 
Initiative and the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facilit y (PRGF).  The Government will thus be able 
to substantially expand social investments with a view to improving household living standards and 
raising the incomes of disadvantaged sectors of society over the medium term. 
22. In December 2005, the Government organized a national seminar on economic revitalization.  
This afforded an opportunity to make an overall diagnosis of the problems facing the economy and to 
propose solutions for effective economic revival th rough a proactive policy.  The main objective for 
the years ahead is economic revitalization driven by consumption in the short term and by investment 
over the medium term.  This will call for a proactive policy designed in particular to: 
- Restore macroeconomic and financial balance; 
- improve wages; 
- increase budget allocations for capital expenditure; 
- stabilize public finances by means of strict budgetary management, scrupulous 
adherence to the rules of public finance a nd the allocation of public funds to the 
social sectors; 
- improve tax collection by strengthening th e tax administration and expanding the tax 
base so as to attain the 17 per cent level of fiscal pressure recommended by the 
WAEMU; 
- strengthen development manageme nt capacities and good governance; 
- create a climate to favour renewed cooperation with the European Union and with the 
international financial community; 
- buttress the financial sector by providi ng incentives and guarantee mechanisms; 
- implement an action plan to develop and pr omote trade so as to make the country 
internationally more competitive.  Amongs t other things, this will entail expanding 
and diversifying the export base by iden tifying new products for which Togo would 
have a comparative advantage; 
- further reduce government involvement in non-strategic sectors, thereby expanding 
the role of the private sector and attracting foreign investment; 
- consolidate the country's economic integration in the WAEMU and ECOWAS. 
23. Social and political priorities revolve around fulfilling the basic requirements for the 
government's economic and trade objectives to be attained.  In particular, this will entail: 
- Strengthening democracy, security and peace; 
- reinforcing national solidarity; 
- meeting the educational and cultural challenge. WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
Page 10 
 
 
24. These measures should enable the Togolese economy to  return to real annual growth at a rate 
of over 4 per cent in the short term, and close to th e 7 per cent needed in the medium term to reduce 
poverty and attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). 
2.2 Foreign investment regime 
25. Investment in Togo is governed by a code introduced in 1965, which has undergone a series 
of improvements.  The latest version dates back to 19 89.  The code is again being reviewed in order to 
adapt it to the current subregional environment.  At  the same time, investment strategies are being 
harmonized within the WAEMU framework.  In additio n to the code, a law was enacted in 1989 to 
regulate the export processing Free Zone.  The Govern ment is planning a study of the developmental 
impact of the Free Zone to explore the possibiliti es for harmonization with international commitments 
and the subregional environment.   
26. Foreign direct investment has averaged CFAF  50 billion over the past five years, amounting 
to roughly 38 per cent of private investment. 
27. To consolidate investor confidence in the Togolese economy, emphasis will be placed on 
priority measures to create a climate fa vourable to private investment by: 
- Enhancing the performance of the single window for business formalities ( Centre de 
Formalitié des Entreprises ) in order to ease the setting up process for new 
enterprises; 
- developing and fitting out industrial infrast ructure so as to provide facilities to 
investors both in the Free Zone and in the customs territory; 
- creating a regulatory framework conducive to investment; 
- improving the system of accreditation, certif ication, standardization and quality 
assurance; 
- creating an investment promotion agency. 
III. TRADE POLICIES AND PRACTICES 
3.1 General trade policy objectives 
28. Togo is keen to strengthen and improve its pos ition as a commercial centre and country of 
transit in West Africa.  With that in view, it intends to serve as a hub for imports and exports from 
neighbouring countries, particularly those that are la nd locked.  It is assisted in these aims by an 
operation known as Solidarité sur la mer  and by the single window set up for port-related customs 
formalities.  
29. Beyond this involvement in na tional, regional and continental matters, Togo has been keeping 
abreast of the changing international economic and trading environment.  
30. Since the country's first trade policy review in 1999 the Government  has pursued a trade 
policy that has consistently sought to:  
- Implement an action plan to develop and promote trade; Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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- improve the institutional and regulatory frame work so as to create an environment 
favourable to the private sector, investment, and trade and export promotion; 
- enhance the production capacity and competitiveness of enterprises; 
- build and strengthen human and instituti onal capacity to manage and promote 
commercial activities, and participate mo re actively in ongoing liberalization 
programmes; 
- ensure a more active presence for the count ry in the international organizations 
involved in world trade. 
3.2 Trade laws and regulations 
3.2.1 Foreign trade 
31. Since its first trade policy review, Togo has been  moving ahead with its liberal trade policy, 
giving effect to measures enacted previously for the general liberalization of economic and 
commercial activities. 
32. These liberalization measures are still in force and encompass, inter alia , the elimination of: 
- The state trading monopoly; 
- import licences and permits; 
- export licences for local industrial goods, cereals and other food products as well as 
cash crops; 
- quotas and bans. 
33. Nevertheless, to protect local consumption in the event of shortages, provisional safeguard 
measures may be adopted in respect of local indus trial goods as well as cereals and other foodstuffs. 
34. Where circumstances warrant, provisional bans ma y also be applied in order to safeguard 
human and animal safety and health and protect the environment. 
35. In order to operate, every importer, exporter a nd shipper is required to obtain an importer's, 
exporter's or shipper's card. 
36. Moreover, resolved to secure fresh  progress in the building of A frican unity so as to further  
regional integration and involve the continent more  closely in the world economy, Togo has been 
applying the OHADA uniform acts since 2000. 
37. Togo likewise applies the liberalization progr ammes, codes, principles and community 
regulations adopted by ECOWAS and the WAEMU,  as well as the WAEMU's regional programme to 
harmonize standardization, certification, accreditati on and metrology, adopted in September 2005 and 
in force since January 2006. WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
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3.2.2 Domestic trade 
38. Togo's own competition law was replaced by  the WAEMU community law on competition, 
which took effect on 1 January 2003. 
39. A National Competition and Consumption Commission became operational in 2006.  
40. Prices have been deregulated other than tho se of some sensitive products such as water, 
electricity, telephone services and hydrocarbons, whic h remain subject to administrative controls.  
41. The requirements for engaging in business activity are an installation licence and registration 
in the Register of Commerce and Personal Property Transactions (RCCM).  
42. Arrangements were made to set up a Centre de formalité des enterprises  (Centre for Business 
Formalities), and this has been operational since early 2006.  
43. Other steps are being taken to improve the organization of the "informal" sector.  
3.2.3 Fiscal measures 
 Domestic taxation is governed by the Genera l Tax Code of 1983, as am ended in 1985.  Since 
1997 the Government has applied VAT at a single rate of 18 per cent (Directive 
No. 02/98/CM/UEMOA). 
 
3.2.4 Tariff measures 
44. Togo applies the Common External Tariff of the WAEMU. 
3.2.5 Trade support structures 
 The principal ones are: 
 
- Institut National de la Propriété Indus trielle et de la Technologie (INPIT); 
- Institut National de la Normalisation (INN); 
- Institut National du Contrôle de la Qu alité et de la Métrologie (INQM); 
- Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires de Lomé (CETEF- Lomé); 
- Chambres Régionales des Métiers (CRM); 
- Commission Nationale de la Concurre nce et de la Consommation (CNCC); 
- Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Togo (CCIT); 
- Conseil National des Chargeurs Togolais (CNCT); 
- Société Aéroportuaire de Lomé Tokoin (SALT); 
- Port Autonome de Lomé (PAL). Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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3.2.6 Trade agreements 
3.2.6.1  Bilateral trade agreements 
45. The entry into force of the WAEMU Treaty nullif ied all bilateral trade agreements signed by 
individual member countries of the Union with third countries.  The WAEMU Commission now has sole authority for the signing of trade and investment agreements with third countries. 
3.2.6.2  Regional trade agreements 
46. As an ACP country and an LDC, Togo enjoys  non-reciprocal preferential access for its 
products to the EU market.  Under the terms of the Cotonou Agreement, to which Togo is a signatory, 
ECOWAS is authorized to negotiate Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) on its behalf. 
3.2.6.3  Multilateral trade agreements 
47. In the context of the Uruguay Round, Togo inter alia  signed the Final Act on 19 August
 1994 
in Geneva and ratified the Marrak esh Agreement establishing the WTO.  It has thus been a WTO 
founding Member since 31 May 1995. 
3.2.7 Togo's commitments und er the WTO Agreement 
3.2.7.1 Trade in goods 
48. Upon joining the WTO, Togo bound its customs tariff  at a maximum rate of 80 per cent, this 
ceiling applying to the sum of the fiscal import duty at the increased rate of 30 per cent and the other 
taxes and charges pertaining to statistics, tolls a nd the customs stamp duty that apply to trade in 
goods. 
3.2.7.2 Trade in services 
49. Togo's services trade commitments cover servi ces in the areas of tourism and travel, 
recreation, culture and sports, as well as the related construction and engineering services. 
3.2.7.3 Trade-related aspects of intellectual property 
50. Togo is a signatory to the revised Bangui Agreement creating the African Intellectual 
Property Organization (AIPO), which serves as a na tional office for the management of intellectual 
property titles.  Togo is also a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). 
3.2.7.4 Notifications 
51. In accordance with the WTO provisions, Togo s ubmits notifications for the purposes of the 
integrated database.  It has difficulty in meeting th is obligation, however, owing to problems in the 
gathering and processing of information and th e training of the requisite human resources. 
3.2.7.5 Trade Policy Review 
52. This is Togo's second trade policy review since 1999. WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
Page 14 
 
 
3.2.8 Trade-related technical assistance 
53. Togo has not as yet any direct representation to the WTO and other international 
organizations based in Geneva. 
54. This is a serious impediment to effective follow-up and use of the various programmes and 
opportunities available.  Togo is therefore in real  need of assistance in several areas, including: 
- Direct representation in Geneva , through the provision of useful and current 
information regarding assistance availabl e to LDCs in the framework of the Maison 
Universelle . 
- Actual admission for Togo to the Integrated Framework and to the JITAP :  Togo's 
dossier for admission to these assistance pr ogrammes has been dormant for reasons 
pertaining to the Poverty Reduction Strategy  Paper (PRSP), which has not yet been 
submitted to the bodies that administer these programmes. 
The interim PRSP has now been validat ed and Togo therefore wishes to 
benefit from the assistance and support of the partners to these programmes in concluding the formalities and reactivating its dossier with a view to 
actual admission to these assistance programmes. 
 Among other things, this should help to stimulate income-generating activities at grassroots level in a number of areas including handicrafts and off-season products,  and to strengthen human resource capacity for the 
management of commercial activ ities, production capacity, the 
diversification of exportable goods and market access.  
- Expanding and improving human and material resources
, as well as mechanisms for 
gathering, managing and disseminating import-  and export-related trade information. 
- Information and training in the form of workshops and seminars  – for example for 
parliamentarians and civil society - c overing negotiations, notification, customs 
valuation, non-tariff barriers, sanitary a nd phytosanitary standardization measures, 
services, and in particular, the WTO and its agreements. 
IV. SECTORAL POLICIES 
Agriculture, livestock, fisheries, envi ronment and natural resource management 
 
4.1 Agriculture 
55. Agriculture is still the driver of the country's economic growth, contributing an average of 30 
per cent to GDP.  There are a number of obstacles to  the fulfilment of Togo's agricultural potential in 
terms of human resources and availability of arable  land, namely:  inadequa te management of land, 
water and agricultural mechanization, and insufficient funding for agriculture. 
56. The needs to be met may be summarized as five objectives: 
- Human and material capacity-building; 
- reconstituting the national cadastre , land registration and development; Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
 Page 15 
 
 
- promoting production in agriculture, livestock farming and fisheries; 
- marketing promotion; 
- promoting exports in general and of  semi-processed goods in particular. 
57. The Government will be giving priority to removing these obstacles from the agriculture and 
fisheries sectors. 
4.2 Environment and natural resource management 
58. The adoption of the Environmental Code in 1988 was undoubtedly a major advance in 
environmental protection policy.  The Government 's commitment to environmental protection is 
reflected in Article 41 of the Constitution of 14  October 1992 and by the numerous international 
agreements on environmental protection that  Togo has acceded to, signed and ratified. 
59. Pursuant to these, sectoral strategies and plans have been drawn up, including:  the National 
Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Biodiversity, the Refrigerant Management 
Plan, and the Implementation Plan regarding Bio safety and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). 
60. Government action will consist of: 
- Building human and material capacities; 
- effectively including an environment dimension in all development projects; 
- strengthening the process of subregional integration and inte rnational cooperation 
with a view to joint management of shared or cross-border resources. 
61. Specific trade-related strategies will aim to formulate and implement environmental norms 
and standards in order to avoid the consumption and use of products that are harmful to health and the 
environment.  These concerns will be reflect ed in the new quality assurance programmes. 
62. To reduce the pressure on wood resources, the st ructure of butane gas prices has now been 
revised to make it accessible to most of the populat ion, and is comparable to that of neighbouring 
countries. 
63. To enhance use of gas as a source of energy, th e Government intends to take action regarding 
the prices of gas cookers. 
4.3 Industry, mining and handicrafts 
4.3.1 Industry 
64. Industry is currently limited to the manufacturing sector, which is itself relatively new.  Agro-
industry makes up most of the sector, but there is also phosphate mining and production and crushing of clinker. 
65. To underpin the revitalization of the economy,  emphasis will be placed on priority actions 
covering: WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
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- The upgrading and performance of the singl e window Centre for Business Formalities 
- (CFE) operated by the Chamber of Comme rce and Industry of Togo (CCIT), and of 
the Autonomous Port of Lomé (PAL); 
- the development and fitting out of industrial infrastructure to provide facilities for 
investors; 
- the introduction of a regulatory framework conducive to investment; 
- improvement of the system of accreditati on, certification, standardization and quality 
assurance; 
- the early adoption of an investment code  that encourages investment, pending the 
drafting and implementation of a community investment code for WAEMU countries. 
4.3.2 Mining 
66. Togo has abundant mineral resources.  Phosphate  and limestone account for some 50 per cent 
of export earnings. 
67. To further develop the mining industry, the Government's policy is aimed at: 
- Diversifying mining products; 
- promoting both onshore and offshore oil exploration; 
- boosting the human and material capacities of the General Directorate of Mining and 
Geology; 
- attracting foreign investors by creating an environment favourable to  prospecting in 
Togo through implementation of the new mining code for hydrocarbons; 
- promoting artisanal mining by establishing wages for artisanal miners. 
4.3.3 Handicrafts 
68. Measures specific to this industry will comprise: 
- Implementing a national handicrafts policy; 
- establishing a financial and tax system for handicraft activities that takes account of 
their needs; 
- institutionalizing the training and upgrad ing of craftspeople and supervisory 
personnel; 
- providing access for craftspeople to funds available under economic development and 
poverty reduction programmes and to bank lo ans at reasonable interest rates; 
- supporting craftspeople in the deve lopment of marketing channels; 
- producing high-quality articles suited to local, subregional and world markets. Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
 Page 17 
 
 
4.3.4 Services 
69. The decision to diminish the role of governme nt in the production of goods and provision of 
services and to dismantle monopolies should facilitate  trade liberalization and the development of 
viable financial, banking and insurance systems in the interests of domestic and foreign operators in 
upstream and downstream services, including tran sport, post and telecommunications, water, 
electricity and tourism. 
4.3.4.1 Transport 
70. The Government's objectives in the transport sector include: 
- Improving maintenance of road infrastruct ure through expansion of the financial 
resources of the Road Maintenance Fund (FER ).  To that end, a programme has now 
been launched to install toll stations along the major highways; 
- making the Togolese corridor more competitive vis-à-vis  neighbouring corridors for 
the transportation of goods to the interior of the country and to the hinterland 
countries.  The Government has accordingly taken the following action: 
• providing escorts for goods transport vehicles under the operation known as 
Solidarité sur la Mer ; 
• regrouping security checkpoints at single and well-defined locations; 
• exploring the possibility of creating a dry port at Blitta so as to ease the 
transportation of goods to the hinterland countries; 
- making the Autonomous Port of Lomé (PAL) more competitive vis-à-vis  the ports of 
the subregion and bringing on stream the si ngle window for all customs operations so 
as to speed up the exit of goods from the port; 
- restructuring the rail transport system to enhance its efficiency: 
- improving the legal and institutional framew ork for the transport sector so as to 
reinvigorate private sector development. 
4.3.4.2 Post and telecommunications 
71. The Government aims ultimately to liberalize al l market segments in this sector.  The process 
has already begun with the granting of a mobile tele phone licence to Télécel Togo, a private operator, 
and the creation of a regulatory body for the se ctor known as the Post and Telecommunications 
Regulatory Authority (ARTP). 
72. The restructuring of postal services will continue until they are privatized. 
 As to new information and communication technologies, the Government is 
continuing its efforts to make computer hardwa re and software and consumables accessible to 
all. 
 WT/TPR/G/166 Trade Policy Review 
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4.3.4.3 Electricity and water 
73. The focus of government action with respect to  water and electricity will be the continued 
implementation of measures to ensure the recovery of operating costs and to apply rates that will 
optimize the profitability of production units and thereby increase their financial self-sufficiency. 
74. To improve management efficiency in the sector , the Government will also be turning to the 
private sector, whether through outright privati zation or by means of arrangements such as the 
privatization of commercial management (as in the case of TdE) or concessions (the case of CEET). 
75. The Government will also endeavour to promote private sector investment in energy and 
water management with a view to improving the s upply to the population.  The ultimate aim is an 
overall solution to energy and water problems thr ough subregional cooperation, the GAZODUC inter-
State project (Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria) being one example. 
76. For the medium term, the Government's priority  will be to increase electricity production and 
thereby reduce the country's dependence on im ports.  The Benin Electricity Community Communauté 
Electrique du Bénin  - CEB is the entity responsible for these activities, which will consist mainly of 
rehabilitating and maintaining thermal power stati ons, building a new dam on the Mono river, and 
evaluating and harnessing the country's energy resources. 
4.3.4.4 Tourism 
77. The following are the chie f objectives for this sector: 
- Drawing up a national master plan as well as regional master plans for tourism 
development and promotion; 
- setting up tourism promotion entities:  national office, advisory committee, regional 
boards; 
- updating the regulatory and tax framework to provide greater incentive and make the 
sector more attractive; 
- developing existing tourist sites; - developing human resources for tourism services and training tourist guides; 
- raising awareness amongst the various population groups and categories of law 
enforcement services that are involved with tourists and their safety and the protection 
of tourist sites; 
- promoting national and subregional tourism. 
V. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 
78. This trade policy report by Togo is a part of  the Government's national economic and social 
development policy. 
79. The aim of that policy is to contribute signifi cantly to growth in order to achieve the global 
objectives of good governance, poverty reduction a nd integration into the newly emerging world Togo WT/TPR/G/166 
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economic context, these being indispensable to the country's lasting social and economic 
advancement. 
80. But these objectives cannot be attained without the support of the international community. 
81. Togo is therefore looking to the World Trade Organization for increased technical assistance 
in human capacity-building. 
82. As a least developed country, Togo is keen to benefit under the JITAP and the Integrated 
Framework, particularly as the IPRSP was recently  validated and significant headway has been made 
in implementing the Governments' agenda of 22 commitments vis-à-vis  the EU for strengthening 
democracy in Togo. 
83. The Government is counting on its donors and othe r development partners to step up Official 
Development Assistance with a view to meeti ng the many economic and social development 
challenges facing Togo. 
 
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