Today, Very Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) form the basis of Togo's economic fabric. According to official figures from the Ministry of Commerce, they represent more than 90% of the country's economic units.

SMEs contribute significantly to economic growth and create around 60% of jobs. Very small and medium-sized enterprises to the national economy (on average 40% of gross domestic product) make significant contributions, leading to a new charter to better support the structural transformation of the country's economy.

Adopted by presidential decree of August 25, 2021, this charter is part of the 2020-2025 government roadmap, in particular its axis 3, which aims to modernize the country and strengthen its structures through several projects and reforms, specifically the one relating to the strengthening of mechanisms of support for MSMEs. It is at the center of a national outreach campaign started on 9 November and which ended on 16 December with the Grand Lomé stage. It is also one of the recommendations of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) to member states.

This same charter is necessary with the entry into force of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to improve competitiveness and promote quality dynamics within Togolese companies.

According to the document, “any independent natural or legal person producing commercial goods and/or services, registered in the Trade and Credit Register or any other register conferring legal personality, and whose annual turnover excluding taxes does not exceed one billion (1,000,000) .000) of FCFA”, are considered to be TPME.