Togo has approved a simplified export procedures guide aimed at accelerating the trade of agricultural products across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), authorities said.
The new guide, adopted last week, seeks to provide clear, accessible information to stakeholders on the formalities, documentation, and standards required for cross-border agricultural trade. It covers a broad range of products, including crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries goods, and is designed to benefit producers, exporters, private-sector operators, and public administrations responsible for agriculture and trade.
Developed with the support of the Regional Agricultural Market Integration Program (PRIMA), the guide is part of Togo’s broader effort to strengthen agricultural value chains, increase regional market access, and reduce inefficiencies in export operations.
In practical terms, the guide outlines every step of the export process, clarifying requirements for documentation, quality standards, and rules governing the free movement of goods under preferential trade regimes within UEMOA and ECOWAS. Authorities say that by harmonizing information and procedures, the guide will reduce transaction costs, shorten processing times, and minimize errors that often delay shipments.
Officials highlighted the guide’s potential to curb post-harvest losses by ensuring that perishable goods move faster and more efficiently across borders. Traders often face delays due to cumbersome paperwork or inconsistent application of regional rules, which can lead to significant losses in value and quantity of agricultural products.
More Read
“The guide will make it easier for Togolese products to reach regional markets, helping exporters capitalize on a consumer base of over 400 million people,” said the Ministry of Trade’s delegate minister. “It is an important step to structure and encourage agricultural exports, particularly agro-industrial products.”
Agriculture remains the backbone of Togo’s economy, contributing more than 40 percent of gross domestic product and providing employment for about 65 percent of the population. Yet, despite its centrality, the sector has long faced challenges related to limited infrastructure, high transport costs, and complex cross-border regulations that hinder trade.
The simplified export guide is expected to address several of these barriers by providing stakeholders with a practical, step-by-step framework for moving goods across borders, while ensuring compliance with regional trade standards. Authorities also stressed that the guide would enhance transparency, reducing opportunities for arbitrary charges and delays at border posts.
Togo’s initiative aligns with broader regional objectives to promote agricultural trade, strengthen market integration, and improve food security within UEMOA and ECOWAS. By facilitating smoother, faster, and more predictable trade flows, the government hopes to attract more private-sector investment into agriculture and agro-processing, boosting the sector’s competitiveness in the region.
The measure comes amid growing efforts across West Africa to harmonize trade procedures and improve the efficiency of regional supply chains. Governments in the region are increasingly focused on reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, lowering the cost of doing business, and enhancing the quality and reliability of agricultural exports.
For Togo, the simplified guide is also a strategic move to enhance its economic resilience. By improving the flow of goods to neighboring countries, the government aims to strengthen local value chains, support rural incomes, and reinforce the country’s position as a key agricultural player in West Africa.
Authorities indicated that training and awareness campaigns would follow the publication of the guide to ensure that farmers, exporters, and other stakeholders can fully utilize the simplified procedures. The ultimate goal, they said, is to create a more predictable, efficient, and profitable environment for Togolese agricultural trade across the region.
