Promoting private sector competitiveness in Togo - ProComp
The Programme for the Promotion of the Competitiveness of the Private Sector in Togo (Programme pour la promotion de la compétitivité du secteur privé au Togo, hereinafter referred to as ProComp) is a bilateral private sector development project focusing on Togolese micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the food industry (i.e. the processing of agricultural products).
The project strategy aims to improve the legal and administrative framework for the Togolese private sector, particularly for MSMEs, as well as the services provided to MSMEs by various institutions and support structures. The core element of the strategy is to strengthen the MSME ecosystem - especially public and private support structures and advisory services - by reinforcing institutions at the meso level. To this end, the capacities of government and private sector institutions are being developed, and their networking with the MSME target group is being promoted. Capacity development of business service providers and support structures focuses on technical assistance for MSMEs and on improving the business and investment climate (including areas such as agricultural value chains, access to finance, quality infrastructure, and trade). Through a criteria-based selection of enterprises or intermediaries and gender-sensitive support services, the project contributes to strengthening womens entrepreneurial activities and their position within the male-dominated environment of formalised MSMEs in Togo. Staff in public and private support structures are sensitised to consider the situation of women and to develop tailored services for women entrepreneurs.
The project has the following five outputs:
- Enterprises have improved their access to raw materials, intermediate products, and inputs;
- Enterprises have improved their access to financial services;
- Enterprises have improved their access to international markets;
- The range of products or services available to companies to support sustainable investment has improved; and
- The private sectors involvement in improving the legal and administrative framework has been strengthened.
© Catherine Leblanc | istockphoto
PROJECT IS PART OF
