Lomé, 14 April 2022 (TDI): Representatives of the Government of the Togolese Republic (Togo) and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany held a strategic dialogue. The dialogue was on partnership for reform in Lomé.
The dialogue was co-chaired by the Minister Counsellor to the Togolese President, head of the delegation, Simféitchéou PRE; and the Head of the German delegation, Director of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development for West Africa; Lars Wilke.
The meeting aimed to assess the implementation of the commitments contained in the reform matrix. The matrix came into force in March 2021 and discussed future commitments.
THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATION BETWEEN BOTH
The meeting was a follow-up of bilateral intergovernmental negotiations between Togo and Germany in May 2021. Within the framework of the bilateral partnership, Germany has committed over 65.5 billion African Franc to the Togolese in 2021. The disbursement of the funds depended on the implementation of reforms agreed between the two countries.
During the meeting, the two sides also reviewed the implementation of technology development cooperation projects in support of this reform partnership. During the meeting, the Governments of Togo and Germany expressed satisfaction with the progress both states have achieved.
OVERVIEW OF THEIR BILATERAL RELATIONS
Togo and Germany have enjoyed close bilateral relations. The bilateral political relations once cooled in the early 1990s due to Togo’s severe democratic deficit, but have improved again in recent years.
Development cooperation between Germany and Togo resumed at the end of 2012. The two states especially focused on the following priority areas: decentralization and good governance, rural development and agriculture; and sustainable economic development with special attention to vocational training and youth employment.
No later than 2016, several German companies have already successfully positioned themselves in the Togo market. Additionally, in the summer of 2019, the Togo-EU Economic Forum was held in Lome
All in all, the Federal Republic of Germany is one of Togo’s main partners. Indeed, except for reforming partnership, Togo has benefited from the support of the German Government in implementing development policies, particularly in the energy and health sectors, and in successfully managing the COVID-19 crisis.
Nowadays, the new Partnership between both is building on the ambitious process of structural transformation and modernization of the Togo Government’s Roadmap 2020-2025.
