LOME, July 17 (Xinhua) -- The Togolese government and the World Bank Group have signed five financing agreements totaling 429 million U.S. dollars to support the country's economic and social development, the Togolese News Agency reported Friday.
The agreements were signed on Thursday by Togo's Minister of Economy and Finance Essowe Georges Barcola and the World Bank's Division Director for Cote d'Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Togo Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, in the presence of the World Bank's Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde.
The package includes 140 million dollars for electricity access and regional power market integration projects, 20 million dollars in additional financing for Togo's unique identification program, 69 million dollars for a regional social cohesion project in the country's northern regions, and 200 million dollars for a transport and logistics improvement program aimed at modernizing trade corridors and strengthening Togo's position as a regional logistics hub.
The projects fall under the 2025-2029 Country Partnership Framework between Togo and the World Bank Group, which focuses on inclusive territorial development, human capital and job creation.
Bjerde said the institution believes that "jobs are the best way out of poverty" and that employment also brings "hope, dignity and security."
The projects financed under the five agreements would help turn the government's "Protect, Unite and Transform" agenda into concrete actions and investments, delivering tangible results for the Togolese people, said Barcola. ■