Sectoral policy
Making Togo a service hub and an international center of innovation and digital skills
Information and communication technologies (ICT) are today omnipresent in all sectors of the economy. All over the world, we are witnessing a profound transformation in the way these technologies impact human relationships and the functioning of businesses. The beneficial effects of the development of electronic communications on growth are well known, and no development policy can be conceived today outside of the digital economy.
It is in this context that Togo has experienced tremendous development in the digital economy sector for several years, under the impetus of government policies and with the full involvement of the private sector. It turns out, however, that in this very rapid movement, Togo has fallen somewhat behind general developments, and in particular in the sub-region.
The opportunities enabled by information technologies are increasingly greater, and the challenges for Togo are considerable. This is why the Government has decided to define a new strategy for the digital economy with a view to maximizing its benefits for the community.
This strategy is supported by the new Policy Declaration for the digital economy sector for the period 2018-2022 which serves as a reference framework both for public authorities and for all players in the sector. It reflects the vision expressed by His Excellency the President of the Republic Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE to make Togo a true logistical and financial hub.
This vision translated into “Digital is asserting itself as a real lever for the modernization of the economy and society. As such, it contributes to making Togo a service hub and an international center of innovation and digital skills” is structured around a set of four (04) strategic axes:
The need for an ever more efficient postal service:
Generate new market dynamics
In order to ensure better coverage of the territory, favorable conditions must be created for the development of a competitive market. This requires making the market attractive and facilitating interconnectivity to existing networks.
Diversify postal services
With the emergence of new technologies in the field of communication, users’ needs in terms of postal services are likely to evolve. The scope of postal products must be reviewed accordingly.
Promote universal postal service
The universal postal service falls under regional planning policy. The aim is to ensure that all Togolese citizens have equal access to a minimum of postal services, and at affordable rates. This requires guaranteeing coverage of the entire territory by postal agencies.
Strengthen the universal service provider
Ensuring the universality of the postal service requires that the service provider be present throughout the territory and particularly in more isolated and therefore less profitable areas. The State can intervene here, through the Ministry of Posts and the Digital Economy, to provide financial support to the service provider who agrees to provide services in areas where it makes little or no profit.
