Togo investment, trade, and forest management reforms

Togo is implementing institutional and strategic reforms to enhance its investment and trade landscape. The government has dissolved the Société d’administration de la zone franche (SAZOF), transferring its assets, personnel, and missions to the Agence de promotion des investissements et de la zone franche (API-ZF). This restructuring aims to create a more efficient single-window system for managing industrial zones and national investment. The API-ZF’s mandate has been expanded to include the planning, management, and provision of industrial zones, supported by enhanced transparency mechanisms for granting approvals.

In parallel, the country has launched the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF). Following previous efforts to build productive capacity in sectors like soy, cashew, and shea, this new phase focuses on using investment as a primary driver for economic transformation. During a validation workshop in Lomé on August 27, 2026, officials presented the Country Programming Document (CPD) to guide this stage. The program emphasizes institutional reforms, business competitiveness, market access, and digital integration, while also addressing social factors such as gender equality and youth inclusion.

Additionally, the government has adopted a revised forest code to address climate change and biodiversity preservation. This reform seeks to balance state sovereignty over natural resources with the rights of local populations and territorial collectivities. The new legal framework introduces more inclusive governance by involving local communities in forest classification procedures and promoting sustainable practices like agroforestry and private investment in the sector.