Togo is counting on autonomy in electric coverage by 2030 – an objective that will allow it to free itself from the international market on which it still depends to cover its current energy deficit. In the meantime, this will not prevent Lomé, faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, from reducing household electricity bills.
In the midst of the pandemic, the Togolese government has offered free electricity up to 40 kilowatt-hour (kWh). The plan aims to provide free access for the less fortunate part of the population. The total estimated cost of the measure reaches close to $9 million over three months.
Partially free electricity is just one of the Togolese leadership’s measures to alleviate the negative impact of the pandemic of its population. Among them is the Novissi program, which aims to provide citizens with a mobile money transfer of which the amount is based on their situation and how badly impacted they are. The total cost of the plan is around $19,5 million, which is part of the global solidarity fund close to $650 million.
Togo is currently affected by 86 COVID-19 cases and six deaths. Curfew was announced on April 2 as well as a state of health emergency in order to limit the effect of Covid-19.