Tchabode Adjagba Sebabe, Chargé d’A"aires of the Togolese Embassy in China (COURTESY)

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Togo. Tchabode Adjagba Sebabe, Chargé d’Affaires of Togolese Embassy in China, sat down with ChinAfrica to share his thoughts on the current state of Sino-Togolese relations and his expectations for the future.   

CHINAFRICA: How do you view the relations between China and Togo over the last half century? 

Tchabode Adjagba Sebabe: President Gnassingbé Eyadéma and Chairman Mao Zedong were the great architects of these diplomatic ties, and I would like to honor their legacy. They deserve a monument befitting their shared ideals. 

Since that time, our two nations have been able to forge cordial relations under the leadership of Togolese and Chinese leaders. These ties are characterized by mutual respect and solidarity, as well as a convergence of ideas between our two current leaders, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé and President Xi Jinping. 

In terms of bilateral collaboration, during the past 50 years, Togo and China have increased and broadened their relations. China is now one of Togo’s favored partners. Their areas of cooperation range from health sector and infrastructure to agriculture, investment and trade, among others. At the height of the COVID-19 health crisis, China sent 400,000 doses of vaccines to the Togolese people in two batches. This is a great act that attests to the strong friendship and collaboration that unites our two nations. 

Our hope for the future of political ties between our governments and friendship between the peoples of China and Togo can only be high as a result of such active collaboration.   

How would you rate the favorable circumstances cultivated by China to import more goods “made in Togo”? 

China has taken a number of steps to encourage greater trade volume with Africa as part of efforts to deepen Sino-African cooperation. Indeed, these initiatives are particularly appreciated by our nations, whether it is the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, which puts a remarkable amount of spotlight on African products, or the “green corridors” policy, which provides a sort of special privilege to agricultural products from Africa by making it easier for them to be imported into the Chinese market. And these steps have already delivered extremely beneficial results that are positive signs for the future. 

We also applaud Togo’s inclusion into the list of 16 least-developed nations that would benefit from the exemption of customs duties on almost all commodities that are still taxed. This measure, effective September 1 this year, will increase imports of Togolese goods into China. 

We also intend to intensify our efforts to bring Togolese products to the Chinese consumers through the Chinese e-commerce platforms. 

What are the investment opportunities available to Chinese investors under the 2020-25 development roadmap of Togo? What efforts has the Togolese Government made to improve its business climate in recent years? 

Togo is a rapidly developing country with a very dynamic economy. Referring to the 2020-25 roadmap of Togo’s National Development Plan (NDP), the areas of cooperation between our two countries are diverse and varied. Agriculture (including its mechanization and modernization), health, infrastructure and logistics, energy, particularly renewable energy, investment, tourism, and commerce are a few examples that come to mind. Chinese businesses have demonstrated expertise and competence in all of these sectors. 

It is also crucial to remember that Togo offers a very favorable and competitive business climate for foreign direct investment. This is the outcome of recent reforms undertaken by the Togolese Government in all spheres of socioeconomic governance, with a clear intention to develop a business ecosystem that is incentivized (reduction and exemption from customs duties and taxes), with streamlined processes (creation of a one-stop shop for administrative formalities), and with agile solutions focused on digitization. 

Togo thus remains, more than ever, a destination of choice for foreign investors, including Chinese.   

What do you think of the nine programs proposed at the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Dakar, Senegal in 2021? In your opinion, how important is it to align them with the objectives of Togo’s NDP? 

China has quickly elevated itself to the status of one of Africa’s most important partners. It is evident from the choices made at the most recent conference in Dakar that China and African nations are completely aware of the potential and implications of this cooperation for our respective economies. 

The nine programs that came out of this conference, together with the Dakar Action Plan and the 2035 Vision for China-Africa Cooperation, all clearly demonstrate the ambition of both China and Africa. We appreciate the fact that these nine programs’ themes touch on the main tenets of our NDP; this seamless alignment is expected to make cooperation between Togo and China even easier and more fruitful. The Togolese Government remains very committed, and will work together with the government, institutions and partners in China for the effective implementation of these programs, in the interest of our two countries.   

Chinese President Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized the potential of youth in deepening Sino-African relations. In your opinion, what should be done to promote exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Togolese youth? 

We concur with President Xi that young people have the ability to strengthen Sino-African cooperation. And thus, we warmly applaud China’s main points of action within the scope of the nine programs adopted by the FOCAC Ministerial Conference in Dakar to foster youth exchanges. In particular, a conference on youth services between China and Africa will be organized. 

Simultaneously, China and Africa should step up their cooperation in academic and vocational training, including exchange programs and helping young people develop careers. The Luban Workshop program is an effective tool in this respect and should be made available in more African countries. To promote a greater fusion of cultures, it is also crucial to launch youth tourism initiatives. 

Once again, we believe in the potential of youth, and youth can be real ambassadors for the promotion of Sino-African friendship and cooperation.   

What areas of collaboration between China and Togo in the future do you think have the biggest chance of success? 

Aside from conventional areas of cooperation such as commerce, infrastructure, health, and education, the key areas for the next years will be investment and finance, vocational training, and the transfer of technology, particularly in future-oriented industries (modernization of agriculture, renewable energy, processing chains, logistics, and so on). 

In other words, Togo’s priorities are concentrated in high-value sectors of cooperation with the ultimate objective of structurally changing the national economy for the Togolese people’s harmonious prosperity.