Context
Digitalisation in Togo has gathered momentum in recent years. The Togolese Government aims to develop the country into a regional centre for digitalisation and innovation by 2025. Its focus is on ensuring social inclusion and on using digital solutions to modernise the economy.
The lack of cooperation between public and private sector actors, combined with the fact that neither has sufficient expertise, is proving to be a challenge. This makes it difficult to foster innovation and develop a dynamic digital ecosystem of local support structures, start-ups, universities, research institutions and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs with a lower level of digital maturity are at a competitive disadvantage.
Objective
Public and private sector stakeholders are increasingly cooperating on digitalisation and are working together to advance the country’s digital transformation.
Approach
The project works closely with the state digitalisation agency to drive forward digital transformation projects in collaboration with the private sector. This partnership fosters a digital ecosystem that is conducive to innovation. It also improves support structures and services for businesses in the digital industry.
Restricted access to finance continues to be a key problem. The project therefore aims to establish a network of investors with a view to opening up financing opportunities.
It is also working on developing the digital skills of experts and managers in the public administration and private sector. The project supports non-digital MSMEs on their path to digital transformation, which will boost their competitiveness.