Togo is ramping up efforts to help local companies embed quality standards into their production and services, part of a broader push to prepare businesses for the demands of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The program is backed by GIZ through the Alliance for Product Quality in Africa (AfPQ) project.
Dr. Koffivi Lakoussan, Director General of the Togolese Accreditation Committee (CoTag) under HAUQE, said the initiative is built to help companies sharpen their products and services so they can meet market requirements.
Certification as a Gateway to Export Markets
As trade opens up under AfCFTA, compliance is becoming a decisive factor in accessing markets, according to HAUQE. Products destined for regional markets must satisfy applicable standards and go through conformity assessment procedures, including inspection and certification.
Togo has been steadily building out its quality infrastructure. In 2026, 17 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises joined a fresh cohort of the Q-Boost program, which offers support for international certification — including ISO 9001. The first cohort assisted 21 companies.
In the agri-food space, 46 national standards and 31 certification programs have been developed, covering products such as soybeans, corn, sorghum, meat, and poultry.
Meeting these requirements is likely to grow more critical for Togolese companies seeking lasting access to domestic, regional, and continental markets.
