Togo Urges Entrepreneurs to Secure Trademarks and Industrial Designs Amid Business Climate Reforms

Togo’s National Institute of Industrial Property and Technology (INPIT) hosted a gathering on September 10, 2026, in Lomé, bringing together entrepreneurs, artisans, creators, and innovators to discuss the protection of trademarks and industrial designs. This event was part of the 27th African Day of Technology and Industrial Property, aiming to demonstrate how industrial property protection can bolster business competitiveness.

INPIT officials noted a common trend where many entrepreneurs and creators seek intellectual property protection only after their products or designs have been copied or counterfeited. Registering trademarks or industrial designs formally establishes legal rights, facilitating enforcement and enhancing credibility when pursuing technical or financial support.

Adja Tchandikou, acting director of INPIT, emphasized the risks of delayed protection: “Most creators, rights holders, inventors, innovators and businesses do not protect their industrial property assets. It is only after counterfeiting or illicit copying that they realize the importance of protection. Yet counterfeiting weakens economies and destroys businesses. We must not wait until we are faced with counterfeiting or illicit copying before protecting our creations.”

Togo is a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), which provides a unified system for patent, trademark, and industrial design applications across its 17 member states. This regional framework enables businesses to secure intellectual property rights throughout the market.

In recent years, Togo has undertaken significant reforms to strengthen its intellectual property and business environment. In 2020, with financial support of CFAF 500 million from OAPI, the country established an intellectual property documentation center to assist researchers and entrepreneurs.

Togo’s business climate improvements are reflected in its rankings on the World Bank’s Doing Business indicators. In 2020, Togo ranked 15th worldwide and first in Africa for Starting a Business. The country has also made notable progress in enforcing contracts, moving from one of the lowest rankings to implementing specialized commercial courts in Lomé and Kara, establishing chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal, and setting a maximum 100-day period to resolve commercial disputes.

Further reforms have enhanced Togo’s performance in Trading Across Borders by digitizing and reducing delays in import and export procedures. The country also improved its Construction Permit ranking, moving from 133rd to 127th place, with ongoing reforms aimed at further advancement.

Access to utilities has improved as well, with consistent gains in the Getting Electricity and Water indicator due to reforms facilitating easier access for businesses. Property Registration has seen the most significant improvement since 2018, with Togo aiming to surpass Rwanda, Africa’s top performer in this category.

Togo’s public procurement framework continues to modernize through professionalization, digitization, and legislative updates, benefiting the private sector in line with the National Development Plan. Tax and duty reforms, including the replacement and exemption of certain taxes, aim to create an attractive fiscal environment for investors and economic operators, supported by digitalization efforts.

These comprehensive reforms underscore Togo’s commitment to fostering a robust intellectual property regime and a conducive business environment, encouraging entrepreneurs to proactively protect their brands and designs to sustain growth and competitiveness in the regional market.