In Togo, the initiative for demographic dividend-sensitive budgeting (DSB) is poised to advance significantly. This approach focuses on aligning public spending with population trends to maximize economic and social advantages. To facilitate this progress, a meeting will convene key budget stakeholders in Lomé from March 25 to 27, 2025, aimed at reinforcing this strategy and enhancing its institutional foundation.
Organized by the Subregional Office for West Africa of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (SRO-WA/ECA), the meeting seeks to bolster national capabilities in incorporating demographic considerations into public budgeting, thereby fostering a more inclusive fiscal transformation. Although the country has already begun efforts to integrate this approach into its public policies sustainably, the event is expected to amplify this momentum in preparation for the 2026 budget, which must address the challenges associated with the demographic dividend.
This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance national frameworks, with the goal of accelerating the realization of the demographic dividend as a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The approach is founded on the belief that strategic investments in key sectors such as education, health, youth employment, and women’s empowerment are essential for harnessing the demographic dividend.
See more: Togo: an international trade fair on women’s entrepreneurship next July in Lomé
It involves analyzing public policies through the lens of population demographics to tailor spending to the unique challenges faced by different age groups. Given that individuals under 15 and under 25 constitute over 37.5% and 59% of the population, respectively, as indicated by the latest general census, there is a critical need to prioritize education, vocational training, and job creation. The challenge lies in transforming this youthful majority into a driving force for growth and innovation while proactively addressing future demographic shifts.
