Togo overhauls outdated Civil Society legal framework
The Togolese government has initiated a major reform of its legal framework governing civil society organizations. During the Council of Ministers on December 24, 2025, the executive adopted a draft law on the freedom of association, a decisive step toward abandoning the obsolete July 1, 1901 law inherited from French jurisprudence.
According to the official statement, the reform aims to “modernize the current legal framework, strengthen the legal security of associations, and reconcile the effective exercise of freedom of association with the requirements of public order, security, transparency, and accountability.”
This update responds to the contemporary realities of Togo, where the associational landscape has grown exponentially.
Togolese associations now play a crucial socio-economic role in local development, humanitarian action, governance, and social entrepreneurship, often as implementing partners for internationally funded projects.
This expanding influence has driven the reform, which seeks to adapt legislation to this dynamic sector while enhancing financial traceability and accountability.
The stated goal is to foster a more secure and transparent environment for strengthened partnerships between the state, civil society, and donors.
While the draft law must still be examined and voted on by the National Assembly, its adoption signals a clear modernization effort.
The government emphasizes that the new framework seeks a balance between guaranteeing fundamental freedoms and establishing safeguards for transparency.
Further regulatory texts will later detail practical procedures for registration, operation, and oversight.
This reform marks a significant institutional shift. Its final form will define the conditions for a structured and fruitful partnership between a dynamic civil society and public authorities in pursuing national development goals.
Olivier TOE
