Visit of a Togolese delegation to the Burkinabè employers’ association

An Immersion in Burkina Faso’s Experience in Trade Facilitation

On June 10, 2026, a delegation from the transitional committee responsible for setting up Togo’s Observatory for the Speed of Customs Operations was received at the Burkina Faso Employers’ Association as part of a mission for exchanges and experience-sharing. This meeting was part of an effort to draw on Burkina Faso’s experience in establishing an observatory aimed at facilitating trade and streamlining customs clearance operations.

Led by Mr. Apetogbo AKOÉTÉ, First Vice-President of Togolese employers’ organization, the delegation was received by Mr. Inoussa KABORÉ, Secretary in charge of public-private partnership and public procurement, surrounded by Mr. Augustin BAMBARA, Chairman of the statutory committee, as well as other members of COGEF, stakeholders in the transport sector and the importation of used vehicles. The discussions were facilitated by Mr. Robert KONTOGOM, President of OCOD-BF.

On behalf of the Burkinabè employers’ organization, Mr. Inoussa KABORÉ welcomed this approach of mutual learning, while reaffirming the organization’s readiness to share its experience regarding its involvement within OCOD-BF. He also noted that the talks would cover the progress made by the Burkinabè private sector since the establishment of OCOD BF, particularly in facilitating customs clearance operations and reducing harassment along the corridors.

In response, the head of the Togolese delegation, Mr. Apetogbo AKOÉTÉ, expressed the importance of this mission, which aims to better understand the achievements, difficulties, and lessons learned from the implementation of OCOD-BF.

The discussions then focused on the support mechanisms put in place by OCOD-BF, the reasons for the Burkinabè employers’ organization’s involvement in OCOD, the progress made in reducing customs harassment, the persistent difficulties on the ground, as well as the challenges related to containerization and the modernization of customs clearance procedures.

At the end of the talks, both parties welcomed the quality of the discussions and their shared interest in strengthening trade and transport facilitation mechanisms in the subregion. They emphasized that a possible establishment of a similar system in Togo would promote better synergy of action with OCOD-BF, thus contributing to greater fluidity of trade along the corridors.

As a reminder, this visit comes after a series of working sessions held with the Unified Federation of Transporters of Burkina and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso. It is expected to continue with discussions scheduled with the General Directorate of Customs of Burkina Faso.