Core area “Peaceful and inclusive societies” Improved infrastructure and services at the local level

In the early 1990s, the Government of Togo launched a process of decentralisation. However, the process then stalled. Since 2016, it has gathered momentum again. The government has adopted a decentralisation roadmap, reformed its administrative structures and created new municipalities and regions.

After over 30 years, municipal elections were held again for the first time in 2019. However, local authorities still lack the trained personnel and financial resources they need to adequately fulfil their new role. Germany's activities are geared towards strengthening municipal institutions and fostering a financial transfer mechanism. Goals include improved basic services in terms of economic infrastructure and public services, as well as enhanced political participation at the local level.

In the last few years, the German Development Ministry (BMZ) has increased the level of its activities at the municipal and national levels. Among other things, it has been supporting public financial management reform, assisting monitoring bodies such as the supreme audit institution, and helping with the implementation of a national anti-corruption strategy.

More revenue and investment

As part of the cooperation programme, support is being provided to local authorities to help them increase their revenues and improve the responsiveness of their services to citizens' needs. Among other things, local development plans are being drafted, tax registers are being set up, citizens' affairs offices are being established to provide services to local people, and training is being provided to municipal workers. Efforts are also under way to modernise the civil registration system. There are campaigns to educate the public about the importance of birth certificates, for example for giving children access to school.

The municipalities that have received support have been able to significantly increase their revenue and their public investments.

Local infrastructure development

In parallel, the BMZ has been funding the development of local infrastructure. Support is being provided, in particular, for the construction of town halls and markets in medium-sized towns that play an important role for local and regional economies. People can use their mobile phones to take part in the planning and monitoring of programme activities.

Results of development cooperation in the period of 2012 to 2024

More than 600,000 people are benefitting from improved administrative services. They have a say, for example, in prioritising municipal projects.
In order to enable local governments to provide better and responsive services, 25 new, energy-efficient town halls were built with German support.
Over 1,600 elected officials and local government workers have committed themselves to comply with information and accountability requirements in public affairs and avoid conflicts of interest. Moreover, anti-corruption units are to be set up at local authorities.
About 300,000 people are benefiting from the expansion of two regional markets, each with over 1,500 stalls. The increased local economic activities are benefiting, in particular, high numbers of women.

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