Togo’s National Assembly wrapped up its first extraordinary parliamentary session of 2025 on March 28, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s legislative agenda. Convened at the request of President Faure Gnassingbé and presided over by Assembly President Sevon-Tépé Kodjo Adédzé, the session yielded eight critical measures—seven laws and one resolution—aimed at fortifying governance, advancing sustainability, and addressing urgent security challenges.
Security Takes Center Stage
In response to escalating regional instability, lawmakers unanimously extended a state of emergency in high-risk northern regions bordering Burkina Faso and Benin, where spillover from Sahelian jihadist activity has intensified. Complementing this move, legislators passed a groundbreaking intelligence law—previously debated and refined in earlier sessions—to modernize counterterrorism operations while embedding safeguards against civil liberties abuses. The law mandates judicial oversight of surveillance activities and allocates resources to protect critical infrastructure, including the Port of Lomé, a vital hub for regional trade.
“Security is the bedrock of progress,” declared Defense Minister Gen. Aboudou Assouma during deliberations. “These measures ensure Togo stays ahead of threats while upholding the rights of every citizen.”
Climate Action and Environmental Governance
In a landmark decision, the Assembly adopted Togo’s first comprehensive climate change law, codifying binding targets to reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. The legislation establishes a national climate fund to finance renewable energy projects, reforestation initiatives, and resilience programs for coastal communities vulnerable to rising sea levels. Environment Minister Foli-Bazi Katari hailed the move as “a generational commitment to sustainable development,” aligning Togo with global accords like the Paris Agreement.
Overhauling Public Finance and Governance
Lawmakers prioritized fiscal accountability, passing long-pending budget settlement laws for 2020 and 2021 to audit public spending during the COVID-19 pandemic era. The reforms aim to address discrepancies in healthcare and infrastructure allocations flagged by the Auditor-General’s office. Additionally, amendments to the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) law empower tax authorities to streamline collections, combat evasion, and expand digital payment systems—a move projected to boost domestic revenue by 15% annually.
“Transparent governance attracts investment,” stated Finance Minister Sani Yaya, noting that revised financial regulations for the National Assembly itself will enforce stricter oversight of legislative expenditures.
Economic Reforms and Institutional Modernization
The session also advanced reforms to governance frameworks for state-owned enterprises (SOEs), requiring public companies in sectors like energy and transport to adopt international auditing standards and publish quarterly performance reports. This follows scandals in 2023 involving mismanagement at Togo Telecom. A resolution on public management further tasks local governments with improving service delivery in education and sanitation, leveraging decentralized budgets.
Regional Implications and Investor Confidence
Analysts suggest the reforms solidify Togo’s reputation as a bastion of stability in West Africa, contrasting with coups and civil unrest in neighboring nations. The Lomé Stock Exchange reported a 2% uptick following the session’s close, reflecting investor optimism.
Looking Ahead
The Assembly’s first ordinary session of 2025 commenced on April 1, with lawmakers expected to debate a new civil service code, healthcare accessibility bills, and infrastructure projects tied to the ECOWAS coastal highway initiative. President Adédzé emphasized continuity, stating, “Our work is far from done. The ordinary session must build on this momentum to deliver tangible results for every Togolese citizen.”
