World Bank Approves $150m to Boost Investment, Jobs and Reforms in Togo

The financing is the first in a three-year programmatic reform series, designed to tackle the structural bottlenecks that have long constrained Togo’s economic transformation.

The World Bank Group has approved a $150 million (approximately FCFA 84 billion) International Development Association (IDA) operation to support a major package of structural reforms aimed at accelerating private investment, creating quality jobs, and strengthening the foundations for inclusive and resilient growth in Togo.

The financing is the first in a three-year programmatic reform series, designed to tackle the structural bottlenecks that have long constrained Togo’s economic transformation. The reforms span agriculture, land governance, energy, digital infrastructure, and skills development, with a focus on helping the country attract greater private capital and expand economic opportunities.

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Key Reform Priorities Supported by the Operation

The programme targets four primary areas central to Togo’s long-term growth:

1. Boosting Agricultural Productivity

• Reforming land governance to improve land security for smallholder farmers

• Expanding access to agricultural financing

• Strengthening value chains to support productivity and rural incomes

2. Reducing Infrastructure Constraints

• Energy sector reforms to improve reliability and attract private investment

• Digital reforms, including capped wholesale broadband prices to increase connectivity and competition

• Logistics and transport improvements to reduce bottlenecks for businesses

3. Mobilizing Private Investment

• Enhancing Togo’s attractiveness for foreign direct investment (FDI)

• Strengthening legal protections for investors

• Supporting renewable energy projects and other sectors with high potential for private capital mobilization

4. Supporting SMEs and Skills Development

• Encouraging the formalization of small and medium enterprises

• Improving technical and vocational education to align skills with labor market needs

• Creating mobility pathways between general education and vocational training

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Transformational Impact Expected Over Three Years

According to Justin Beleoken Sanguen, World Bank Acting Resident Representative for Togo, the reforms have the potential to deliver transformative outcomes:

“If fully implemented, this three-year program will mark a milestone for private sector development in Togo, with the potential to mobilize up to $800 million in additional private capital and improve the employment conditions of 73,000 people over five years.”

Agriculture, land reform, and energy modernization are expected to be particularly strong drivers of employment. Additional private capital is anticipated through renewable energy projects, improved regulatory frameworks, and increased investor confidence.

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Major Measures in the First Operation

The initial phase of the program includes several foundational reforms:

• Creation of the National Land and Property Agency (ANDF) to coordinate land policy, accelerate the issuance of land titles, and enhance land security

• Revision of the statutes of the Togolese Electric Energy Company (CEET) to modernize governance and open space for private sector participation

• Setting a national cap on wholesale broadband prices to expand digital access and stimulate competition

• Strengthening legal protection for foreign direct investment, increasing predictability for businesses

• Improving pathways between general and vocational education, allowing more flexibility and increasing the supply of skilled workers

These measures aim to reduce structural barriers to growth and ensure that private sector development contributes directly to job creation and poverty reduction.

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Supporting Togo’s Long-Term Vision

The reforms supported under IDA financing align with Togo’s national development priorities, including:

• Increasing productivity across economic sectors

• Expanding access to modern, reliable energy

• Improving digital connectivity

• Strengthening governance and institutional capacity

• Promoting private sector–led growth

By backing this comprehensive reform package, the World Bank Group aims to help Togo transition toward a more competitive, resilient, and inclusive economy capable of delivering long-term prosperity.