A new chapter has opened at the Togolese Revenue Office as Yawa Chantal Tségan assumes leadership. On October 24, 2025, she officially succeeded Philippe Kokou Tchodié as the head of the institution responsible for collecting tax, customs, and local revenues. Her appointment signals a decisive moment for Togo’s fiscal future and reflects a broader government commitment to transparency and reform.
Yawa Tségan brings a rare combination of experience and discipline to her new role. She previously served as President of the National Assembly and holds a tax inspector’s diploma from the National Tax School in Clermont-Ferrand. Her professional journey began in the Directorate of Large Enterprises, where she managed complex tax operations. She later served as chief of staff at the Ministry of Transport before entering Parliament in 2013. Each role, she noted, helped shape her understanding of governance and fiscal accountability.
At the handover ceremony in Lomé, attended by the Minister of Finance and Budget, Essowè Barcola, she officially took office. The event marked a symbolic shift in Togo’s tax administration and a renewed call for efficiency. In her remarks, Tségan expressed deep gratitude for the trust placed in her and reaffirmed her commitment to national service. She pledged to strengthen the OTR’s performance and ensure citizens experience fair, transparent, and efficient revenue management.
Her appointment comes at a critical time for Togo’s economy. The nation faces growing demands for infrastructure and social investment while maintaining fiscal stability. The Togolese Revenue Office remains central to these goals by ensuring adequate revenue generation and effective allocation. Tségan understands this challenge well and believes that effective tax management is essential to sustaining national development.
She intends to introduce a culture of innovation and discipline within the agency. Digital modernization, she explained, will be key to achieving greater efficiency. Through automation and data analytics, the OTR can identify revenue leakages, strengthen compliance, and simplify processes for taxpayers. She also plans to prioritize staff development, emphasizing training and performance motivation as vital tools for reform.
Furthermore, Tségan recognizes that transparency builds trust between citizens and the state. She aims to create an environment where taxpayers see clear value in their contributions. This focus on trust, she believes, will encourage voluntary compliance and reduce evasion. Her strategy combines human engagement with technological precision, reflecting her broader vision for a modern public institution.
Observers describe her appointment as a thoughtful step toward professionalizing fiscal governance. They highlight her blend of political insight and administrative experience as crucial assets. Under her guidance, the OTR is expected to improve service quality, optimize local revenue, and tighten customs oversight. By aligning fiscal policies with economic priorities, she hopes to position the agency as a driver of inclusive growth.
Moreover, Tségan’s leadership style reflects pragmatism and empathy. She values collaboration and believes reform succeeds only when people feel included. By engaging both staff and stakeholders, she aims to foster a culture of shared responsibility. Her approach underscores her belief that fiscal management must serve people first.
In taking the helm of the Togolese Revenue Office, Yawa Chantal Tségan stands at the intersection of tradition and transformation. Her leadership offers Togo an opportunity to modernize its fiscal system while promoting fairness and efficiency. As she begins this journey, expectations remain high that her balanced vision and firm resolve will drive the agency toward lasting progress and a stronger national economy.
