Togo

Agriculture is an important cornerstone of the Togolese economy. It is of central importance to a government strategy aimed at economic development, the fight against poverty and for food security. The rural infrastructure, however, is in a very poor condition. The network of rural roads is poorly developed and many roads cannot be travelled in the rainy season. This has a number of disadvantages for the cultivation of cotton and coffee, important export products for the country: seed and other consumables are not delivered in time for the harvest. The result is a negative impact on quality, causing prices to drop.

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW Development Bank funds the rehabilitation and expansion of rural roads in order to allow for transport all year-round. The project focuses on the areas of cotton and coffee cultivation. If the harvested products can be brought to the market faster and cheaper, revenues will rise (also as a result of the better quality). Exports will grow, which will support the economy and in large part increase Togo's public revenue. The population will also benefit: travel will be made faster and safer for the population and people will have better access to health care facilities in the closest major cities. Small farmers will be able to sell their products on the regional market as well. During the construction, care will be taken to ensure that as many people as possible are employed in the rehabilitation of the rural roads, and this will bring them at least temporary work and income.

Young people in Togo are finding it difficult to get a job: youth unemployment is very high at over 30 percent. Graduates have trouble finding apprenticeships. The few technical schools available in the country are poorly equipped. Buildings, classrooms and workshops are often heavily neglected. They lack the necessary machines as well as work and teaching materials. Teachers and school administrators are often insufficiently trained. The contents taught in theory and practice, are not geared to the needs of Togolese companies. This makes it hard even for trained young people to find an employment. They have no chance of higher income or a way out of poverty. This is a vicious cycle that Germany hopes to break together with Togo.

On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), KfW Development Bank is therefore funding the expansion and new construction of vocational schools. This, amongst other things, should put them in a position to accept more young people in future. The Bank will also help with the purchase of new, modern tools and machines. The programmes supported by KfW will finally help teachers to acquire better qualifications, thus improving the quality of professional training and further education.

Togo's politics and economics are centralised in the capital of Lomé. The execution of the country's officially requested political and administrative decentralisation is still in the early stages. Municipal elections, last held in 1987, continue to be postponed. The financial situation in Togo's cities is tense. Many towns' marketplaces, bus stations, sewage disposal and streets are in a very poor condition. Investments are urgently needed.

The goal of KfW Development Bank's involvement is to strengthen the medium-sized towns, which –with funding for local business circuits – should be developed into regional centres of growth. To do so, the projects will improve the municipal infrastructure and work towards local governance. This is expected to limit the migration from rural areas to Lomé in the medium term.

In concrete terms, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) KfW will primarily finance marketplaces. Small farmers and craftsmen will find it easier to sell their products and medium-sized towns will play a greater role. Stall rents will, in turn, help cities to increase their revenues and thus to provide more and better services to their citizens.

Municipal clerks will receive further training and education in the supervision of works, financial management and the maintenance and operation of municipal infrastructure. Citizens can participate directly in the planning via mobile phone and they can give feedback to their municipalities. Various function-holders will be subject to greater transparency and bear more responsibility, which is also intended to help to prevent future conflict.

In the area of Urban Development and Transport, the expansion of the inner-city bypass Lomé has substantially improved the traffic situation in the capital and benefitted the local residents.

Project information - Transport