Togo has once again distinguished itself on the African economic landscape, ranking among the top three most reform-oriented countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in the second edition of the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-Ready) 2025 report, published in late December.
The strong showing further reinforces Togo’s growing credibility in improving its business climate and modernising public governance.
Introduced as the successor to the World Bank’s Doing Business report, B-Ready adopts a broader and more rigorous assessment framework.
Also read: Twelve months without rest: Reflections from Agbana’s first year as MP of Ketu North
Beyond regulatory quality, it evaluates the effectiveness of public services and how regulations are implemented in practice. The 2025 edition assessed 101 economies globally, including 27 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, compared to 14 in the inaugural edition.
Within this expanded scope, Togo emerged as a clear benchmark. The country ranked 1st in West Africa, posting a score of 61.52, and 3rd in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Rwanda and Mauritius. The results reflect sustained reform efforts that continue to attract positive attention from investors and development partners.
A closer reading of the report highlights Togo’s strong performance across several critical stages of the business life cycle, including business entry, business location, taxation, financial services, dispute resolution, and business insolvency.
These areas are considered central to improving investor confidence and supporting private-sector growth.
One of the most notable outcomes in the B-Ready 2025 report is Togo’s exceptional performance under the public services pillar, where it ranked 1st in both West Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
This achievement underscores the impact of reforms aimed at digitalising administrative procedures, simplifying processes, and strengthening engagement between public institutions and the private sector.
Under the operational efficiency pillar, Togo placed 1st in West Africa and 5th in Sub-Saharan Africa, confirming the country’s capacity to translate policy reforms into measurable outcomes on the ground.
These results are rooted in a coherent and sustained reform agenda implemented under the leadership of the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. The reform strategy has focused on modernising public administration, expanding digital public services, and fostering a competitive, transparent and inclusive business environment.
Since 2017, the Business Climate Unit, in collaboration with technical ministries and private-sector actors, has prioritised reforms with tangible impact rather than visibility alone. This approach has been acknowledged by the World Bank, which cited the consistency and continuity of Togo’s public policies.
The report also identifies areas requiring further improvement, including specialised public services, international trade, competition, and labour markets. These challenges have been recognised by the authorities, who are relying on ongoing reforms to consolidate gains and enhance overall performance.
At the sub-regional level, Togo’s ranking sends a strong signal of its commitment to structural economic transformation in support of growth, investment, and competitiveness.
More than a statistical outcome, the B-Ready 2025 ranking confirms a clear trajectory—that of a country pursuing meaningful, measurable, and sustainable reforms, and positioning itself as a key driver of economic dynamism in West Africa