Business leaders and tax officials in Lomé are set to meet on Thursday, April 2, for a candid discussion aimed at addressing the strained relationship between the private sector and the country’s tax administration.
The event will be held at Onomo Hotel Lomé starting at 7 p.m., and is intentionally designed as a plain-speaking forum. It is being led by Edem Adékunlé d’Almeida, founder of Africa Global Recycling, Togo First reported.
At the heart of the conversation is a key question reflecting ongoing friction: whether the relationship between businesses and tax authorities operates as a true partnership, a forced arrangement, or something more dysfunctional.
For many businesses in Togo, this issue is not theoretical. They cite unclear procedures, what they describe as arbitrary audit practices, and a lack of transparency as major sources of distrust.
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In recent years, Togo has implemented a series of reforms to modernize its tax system. These include digitizing tax filings, introducing electronic tax services, and updating the General Tax Code to better support small and medium-sized enterprises.
Some incentive programs now offer tax reductions of up to 40 percent over several years for eligible investments.
However, despite these efforts, many business owners say the reforms have not significantly improved their everyday dealings with tax authorities.
The meeting is part of the “Afterwork d’Edem d’Almeida,” a recurring economic gathering in Lomé that brings together senior professionals to discuss private sector challenges. The format encourages open dialogue rather than formal statements.
Organizers say the goal is to create a space where business operators can openly share their experiences, while giving tax officials the chance to respond directly to the concerns raised.
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Image Credit: trivago
