In a significant move towards decentralization, Togo conducted its first subnational elections in several decades in 2019, sparking discussions about revenue generation for the newly established municipalities. This transition has highlighted the need to develop robust mechanisms for revenue collection, particularly in property taxation, to the benefit of local governments.
Recognizing this critical juncture, LoGRI embarked on a collaborative initiative with Togolese government officials. The project commenced with a field mission in May 2023, where our team engaged in a rapid diagnostic assessment to understand the current state of property taxation in Togo. Following this, LoGRI proposed a pilot to the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR), aimed at enhancing the national tax administration’s capacity for property tax management.
This pilot project is designed to collect and analyze data to compare different property census and valuation methods, namely simplified and traditional approaches. The goal is to determine the most effective method in terms of cost-efficiency, tax base expansion, tax potential, as well as valuation accuracy and equity. This initiative is pivotal in establishing a feasible and sustainable property tax management system in Togo.
At the heart of this project is LoGRI’s expertise in simplified property identification and valuation methods, adapted to fit Togo’s unique legislative context. By comparing these approaches with those currently employed by the administration, the project aims to lay a solid foundation for a long-term, effective property tax management system, thus supporting Togo’s broader decentralization and economic development goals.
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Togo - Project Team
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Camille Barras
Nicolas Orgeira Pillai
Wilson Prichard
Multiple Countries Photo credit to Francisco Anzola