Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience

The report examines the ICT and Internet policy landscape in Togo, highlighting a history of political instability that hindered early policy development. Through surveys and workshops, it identifies critical needs for affordable broadband, cyber security laws, and inclusive multistakeholder dialogue. It argues that the Internet can drive sustainable development in Togo's phosphate and agriculture sectors if supported by proactive government coordination and private sector investment.

• Togo has historically struggled to establish a national ICT policy due to an unstable political climate, with several early initiatives, including a 2006 NICI project workshop, failing to produce tangible policy documents.
• Internet penetration in Togo is among the lowest in Africa, with only 5.4% of the population using the Internet as of 2011, and access is heavily centralized in urban cyber cafes.
• Broadband access is largely unavailable and unaffordable for the majority of the population, particularly in rural areas, despite the growth of mobile cellular subscriptions.
• There is a significant lack of awareness and legal framework regarding cyber security and personal data protection, which acts as a deterrent for online business despite a general readiness to transact online.
• Survey data reveals a strong gender and age imbalance in the Internet policy community, which is predominantly male (90.9%) and composed of fully employed adults, with a notable absence of participants under 18.
• Stakeholders identify a critical need for a multistakeholder policy-making platform where the government acts as a coordinator and convener rather than the sole decision-maker.
• The report argues that ICTs can significantly enhance Togo's primary economic drivers, specifically the phosphate mining and agriculture industries, if policies are aligned with these sectors.
• The 'Best Case Scenario' envisioned by stakeholders includes ubiquitous mobile broadband of at least 100 Mbps, 80% of public services conducted online, and 80% of schools connected.

APA

Akoh, B. (2012). Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/internet_policy_dialogue_togo.pdf

Chicago

Akoh, Ben. Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2012. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/internet_policy_dialogue_togo.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Akoh |first1=Ben |title=Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=July 2012 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/internet_policy_dialogue_togo.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{akoh2012supporting, author = {Akoh, Ben}, title = {{Supporting Multistakeholder Internet Public Policy Dialogue in a Least Developed Country: The Togo Experience}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2012}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/internet_policy_dialogue_togo.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }