According to UN data, e-Togo’s e-government and e-participation standings are like this: 151st in e-government and 98th in e-participation among 193 countries, as of 2022. I think these stats give us a solid snapshot of where e-Togo stands compared to the rest of the world.
Now, in the grand scheme of things, being 151st in e-government and 98th in e-participation might not sound like a top-tier ranking, but considering there are 193 countries assessed, it’s not too bad. And…despite falling into the Middle EGDI (that’s the E-Government Development Index) group, e-Togo stands slightly above the regional average, indicating a promising trajectory in its e-government initiatives.
The NOVISSI Program
Looking at the NOVISSI Program in e-Togo, I believe it’s a prime example of leveraging technology to address pressing social and economic challenges…especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of AI-enabled mobile data and satellite imagery facilitated the efficient distribution of financial aid to vulnerable residents, totalling $22 million.
What I find particularly impressive about the NOVISSI Program is its adaptability and inclusivity. Originally designed to assist low-income urban populations, the program quickly expanded its reach to include rural communities in Togo’s 200 poorest cantons. This expansion significantly widened its impact, reaching over 920,000 beneficiaries in the informal sector, which accounts for about 25% of Togo’s adult population.
By providing monthly financial aid, NOVISSI has helped alleviate poverty and hardship for thousands of Togolese citizens whose livelihoods were disrupted by the crisis. And…I believe the decision to extend the NOVISSI Program to include rural communities was a wise move by the Government of Togo. The fact that women comprise 63% of the beneficiaries highlights the program’s effectiveness in addressing gender disparities and supporting vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
How did they achieve this?
Using technology to solve economic issues
As I briefly mentioned before, e-Togo used artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, to pinpoint the most vulnerable districts and individuals within those areas.
This is achieved through the analysis of satellite imagery and telecom operator call detail records, enabling targeted assistance where it’s needed most.
One aspect that I particularly appreciate is the accessibility of the registration process for beneficiaries. Through a simple USSD number, individuals can register using basic mobile phones… eliminating the barrier of needing an internet connection. This inclusive approach ensures that even those with limited access to technology could/can benefit from relief aid delivery.
Also…the integration of biometric voter ID cards for unique identification adds another layer of efficiency to the relief aid delivery process. By leveraging existing infrastructure, e-Togo can streamline operations and ensure the effective targeting and distribution of aid resources.
The success of the NOVISSI Program highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in addressing complex challenges like poverty and inequality. By bringing together government, philanthropic organizations, and academia, Togo was able to implement an innovative solution that had a tangible impact on the lives of its citizens.
What’s even more promising is that e-Togo is collaborating with organizations like the World Economic Forum’s EDISON Alliance Lighthouse Countries Network to amplify the impact of digital inclusion initiatives.
Internet penetration is low in E-Togo.
It’s evident that internet penetration remains low despite the growing number of cellular mobile connections. According to DataReportal’s Digital 2024 report on Togo, at the beginning of 2024, there were 3.44 million internet users in Togo, accounting for 37.6% of the population.
However, this means that a significant portion—5.71 million people—remained offline, highlighting the digital divide in the country.
With 6.91 million active cellular mobile connections, representing 75.5% of the total population, it’s clear that mobile connectivity is widespread in Togo. However, the disparity between mobile connections and internet usage suggests that access to affordable and reliable internet services remains a challenge for many Togolese citizens.
The decrease in fixed internet connection speeds in April 2024, as indicated by Ookla’s data, further exacerbates this issue. Slow internet speeds can hinder access to online services, limit participation in digital governance initiatives, and impede the overall development of the digital economy.
Final thoughts about e-Togo
While e-Togo’s rankings are promising, continued efforts are needed to further strengthen its digital infrastructure and promote digital literacy. Of special importance is increasing the (now) low internet penetration rate and decreasing fixed internet speeds to bridge the digital divide.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/172-Togo
https://idea.usaid.gov/cd/togo/information-and-communications-technology-ict
https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statistics/Documents/DDD/ddd_TGO.pdf
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/09/togo-digital-inclusion-journey-to-equitable-access
https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/togo#fixed
