Togo’s Fiscal and Customs Training Institute (IFFD) will provide its expertise to Gabon's administration under a new cooperation agreement signed on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Lomé. Togo’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Essowè Georges Barcola, and Gabon’s Minister of Public Service and Capacity Building, Marcelle Ibinga, concluded the partnership.
Under this agreement, Gabonese tax administration officers admitted to the program will receive training in taxation, customs, auditing, public management, and revenue collection. This aims to improve their performance and professionalism.
These new skills will help strengthen revenue mobilization as Gabon faces the challenge of collecting substantial resources to fund its economic development projects.
For Essowè Barcola, the initiative extends beyond administrative cooperation. "This agreement is a concrete example of active and strategic cooperation. It reflects our shared ambition to strengthen administrative capacities, build more efficient institutions, and make continuing education a driver of transformation within our administrations," he stated.
The minister also praised IFFD's expertise, calling it a "pool of talent capable of meeting the contemporary challenges of resource mobilization and sound economic governance."
Marcelle Ibinga expressed confidence in the potential of this cooperation. "I am convinced it can lead to the development of joint training programs, the exchange of best practices, and the creation of a regional platform for capacity building in public administration," she said. She also reaffirmed Gabon’s commitment to building a lasting partnership based on competence, transparency, and Pan-African solidarity.
IFFD plays a key role in professionalizing Togo's fiscal and customs administration. It is establishing itself as a reference center in West Africa for taxation and customs training.
Esaïe Edoh