The Togolese government adopted, on 22 October, a draft law on special economic zones that would vary the benefits granted to companies according to the location of their projects. The stated aim is to better spread industrial investment, currently concentrated in Greater Lomé.
The reform also addresses what are seen as insufficient links between companies in the free zone and the national economy. The new framework provides for strengthening local content, vocational training and the creation of skilled, sustainable jobs for Togolese.
Tax benefits would be subject to conditions and time-limited, with the aim of protecting public revenue and competition in the domestic market. The draft still has to be examined by Parliament; the geographic criteria for access to incentives remain to be specified.