Transformation of phosphates into fertilizer will permit the valorisation of natural phosphates extracted and offer opportunities of jobs creation as well the possibility for the new employed people to improve their conditions of life.

Transformation of phosphates into fertilizer will reduce imports of fertilizers and establish an import substitution industry in the field of phosphate fertilizer.

Transformation of phosphates into fertilizer will result in local agriculture fertilizers at affordable costs for stakeholders in the agricultural industry to extend their cultivated areas and improve agricultural production and productivity, ultimately contributing to food security.

The production of phosphate fertilizers, despite its contribution to Togolese agriculture, requires taking into account dust and sulphur pollution in the air that are harmful to health and the environment (14, 35).

Phosphate fertilizer production causes pollution of the water table due to uncontrolled discharges, the consequences of which on ecosystems are harmful to the environment (14, 35).

The production of phosphate fertilizers can cause displacement of populations to protect them from pollution, but can expose them to poverty if compensation is not adequate (35).

Non-payment of the public subsidy intended to make fertilizers affordable for farmers can increase the cost of access to fertilizers.

The lack of trained personnel in the fields of the transformation of phosphates into fertilizers can lead companies in the sector to seek personnel outside the country, which would lead to high labor costs.

Working conditions with limited protection of workers can expose them to recurring dust inhalation, which can affect their health and productivity.

The lack of protection of local production could encourage imports of phosphate fertilizers at lower costs than locally manufactured products, and thwart the local industry exposed to competition on the local market.

The transformation of phosphates into fertilizer in a subsidized and uncompetitive system will limit the reduction in the costs of fertilizers, potentially making them less accessible to those most in need.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization risk: The field of processing phosphates into fertilizer may not create many jobs, nor have a significant impact on young girls and boys in terms of employment.

Provide quality and cheaper fertilizers improving agricultural productivity while reducing fertilizer imports.

The transformation of phosphate into fertilizer is one of the objectives of the NDP (2018-2022) confirmed in the Togo 2025 Roadmap to stimulate agriculture, with the support of tax and customs exemptions as well as adjustments to the Adetikope Industrial Platform (4, 25).

The Togolese authorities signed an agreement with the Office Chérifien des Phosphates in May 2023 for the establishment of a local phosphate fertilizer plant. This agreement is a first result for Togo of the High-Level Round Table on Fertilizers and Soil Health in West Africa (27).

The World Bank funding is in addition to the $4 billion already in place and will finance improvements in the supply of agricultural inputs, as well as investments in irrigation, integrated soil management, the adoption of new technologies, the construction of roads in rural areas, etc (34).

Art. 52 stipulates for holders of a mining title or a processing authorization, exemption from: income tax, corporate tax and the minimum flat-rate tax for its activities; VAT for all services and goods received under mining title; any duty and any customs tax, VAT for export of any mineral substances (8).

Other benefits include customs duty exemptions under Art. 53 stipulating temporary admission regime for all capital goods, machines, utility vehicles, tools, spare parts and consumable products (except petroleum products) imported for mining activities relating to the mining title (8).

Under the mining law, Art. 55- State participation, the government may, in certain specific circumstances and on behalf of the Togolese State, research, mine or market mineral substances (8).

Environmental Code Law No. 88-14 of November 1988 established the environmental code, which is important for the regulation of mining exploitation and processing activities whose environmental impact is undeniable (9).

Law No. 96-004 on the Mining Code of the Republic of Togo regulates the conditions for carrying out mining activity in the country including processing and transformation. Art. 23 of this law stipulates the right to undertake the processing of mineral substances subject to authorization (8).

New Phosphate Company of Togo (SNPT); Cherifian Phosphate Office (OCP) (29), Nutrisource (Singaporean Nutrisource Togo) (26).

Minister Delegate to the President of the Republic in charge of Energy and Mines; General Directorate of Mines and Geology; Geological and Mining Information System; Mining Cadastre System (33).

African Development Bank, ECOWAS Investment and Development Bank, West African Development Bank, European Union, International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (27, 29).

The partnerships in place in the production of phosphate fertilizers are those linking government with Nutrisource (26) within the framework of the Adetikopé Industrial Platform and, with Cherifian Phosphate Office for the establishment of a phosphate fertilizer factory (27).