Togo: Tactis and Jones Day France commissioned to modernise

Togo is stepping up its digital infrastructure ambitions. The West African nation has commissioned **Jones Day France and Tactis**—a strategic pairing of international legal expertise and local telecoms consulting—to lead a sweeping modernization of the country's communication networks. This initiative signals Togo's commitment to closing the digital divide and positioning itself as a regional connectivity hub.

## Why is Togo modernizing its communication networks now?

Togo's telecom sector, dominated by Togo Telecom, Moov Africa, and MTN Togo, has faced capacity constraints and infrastructure fragmentation that limit bandwidth availability and service quality. The government's decision to engage Jones Day—a global elite law firm with deep African infrastructure experience—alongside Tactis, a boutique consultancy specializing in telecoms modernization in francophone Africa, reflects urgency. Regional competition from Ghana and Benin, combined with rising demand for 4G/5G coverage, has forced Togo's hand. The digital economy cannot scale without robust backbone infrastructure.

The modernization roadmap will likely address three critical gaps: **network redundancy** (reducing single points of failure), **submarine cable diversification** (Togo currently relies on limited international connectivity via the ACE and MainOne cables), and **spectrum optimization** (maximizing returns from existing 4G bands while preparing for 5G deployment). Jones Day will handle regulatory framework restructuring and public-private partnership (PPP) agreements, while Tactis will design the technical architecture and vendor procurement strategy.

## What are the market implications for investors?

This modernization creates multiple entry points. **Infrastructure investors** should watch for government-backed bond issuances to fund fiber backbone expansion—Togo's debt-to-GDP sits at ~65%, manageable for strategic borrowing. **Telecoms operators** (particularly MTN Togo, which holds ~45% market share) will face capex pressure but gain competitive advantage through faster speeds and lower latency. **Equipment vendors**—Huawei, Nokia, Ericsson—are already positioning for tenders, though European preference may favor Nokia/Ericsson given Jones Day's Western orientation.

The timeline matters. Typical modernization cycles in West Africa span 3-5 years. Togo's government has signaled intent to align with the **African Union's Digital Transformation Strategy 2021-2030**, suggesting a 2028-2029 completion target. Early-stage investors in fiber-optic manufacturing or renewable energy for telecom towers (crucial for rural coverage) should monitor RFP releases.

## How will this reshape Togo's competitive position?

Enhanced connectivity directly supports foreign direct investment in manufacturing, financial services, and tech startups. Togo's Free Zone already attracts regional traders; faster, more reliable networks will amplify that advantage. The Port of Lomé, already a West African logistics hub, becomes more attractive to e-commerce operators. Regionally, improved networks reduce arbitrage opportunities for data services but increase overall market size—a net positive for established players.

Risks remain: **regulatory capture** (where incumbent operators influence modernization rules), **vendor lock-in** (choosing a single Chinese equipment provider limits future flexibility), and **financing gaps** (if international lenders tighten credit, capex may stall). Jones Day's presence mitigates governance risk; Tactis ensures local feasibility.

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