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The African Development Bank (AfDB) extended their appreciation to the Togolese delegation that were on a study tour in Rwanda earlier on to exchange views on improving the education and microfinance sector. }
This tour stemmed from talks between the Togolese head of state and the President of the AfDB on issues relating to the transformation of Africa and inclusive growth.
Through an initiative by the African Development Bank (ADB), a delegation of 13 people and high level Officials from Togo visited Kigali from 20 to 27th October 2013.
The goal of the Togolese official mission was to discuss with its Rwandan counterparts ideas on how to improve the living conditions of teachers.
The delegation was led by Mr. Florent Yao Badjam Maganawe, Minister for Primary and Secondary Education and included a parliamentarian, secretary general of the Technical Education, members of the teaching staff and other officials.
Togo has about 30,000 teachers in primary and secondary schools. In addition, it has about 60,000 public servants.
Togolese and Rwandan Teachers often have financial problems besides the high cost of living. The teachers’ payroll accounts for about 50 % of the payroll of the public service in Togo.
While addressing the issue of social and economic inclusion, both parties have criticized the teacher’s limited access to financial products and services with relative to their economic and social needs.
The discussions initiated by the two parties have inspired the need to explore and create a system whereby the teachers have easier accessibility to assistance from financial institutions. In this regard, the Togolese delegation visited a representative sample of cooperative of savings and credit (” Umwalimu Sacco “) including those installed in Kigali, Rulindo, Musanze and Rubavu .
The visit focused on the history, structure, operation, computerization and different products of Umwalimu Sacco and the advantages that teachers could draw from the microfinance institutions.
In summary, through the support of AfDB the 13 members of the Togolese delegation were exposed to favorable conditions for the viability of a network of savings and credit cooperatives for teachers and also discuss with their Rwandan counterparts new forms of mutual support.
After this visit, dubbed the “ explorative phase”, the African Development Bank will support Togo in conducting a feasibility study to establish savings and credit cooperatives for teachers.
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