Lomé’s power network expansion bid clears regulatory hurdle

On June 19, 2026, Togo’s ARCOP dispute resolution committee (CRD) delivered its final verdict on the international tender process for the PEREL PLUS project, dismissing all allegations of procedural misconduct in the Lomé electricity grid expansion initiative.

The Committee issued decision n°024-2026 after thoroughly reviewing an investigative report and hearing testimony from the public procurement officer of CEET (Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo). The findings confirmed that the accusations lacked merit.

Tender process withstands scrutiny despite opposition

Two anonymous complaints filed on March 28 and April 8, 2026, had alleged multiple irregularities in the tender managed by CEET. The claims included:

• an alleged restricted shortlist without proper prequalification;
• a disproportionate number of foreign bidders;
• failure to allocate the contract into specific lots;
• and the continued use of excessively stringent qualification criteria.

The CRD’s investigation, however, uncovered that the selection process was conducted under a formal prequalification phase, during which nine candidates were shortlisted from fifteen expressions of interest.

International financing partners validate PEREL PLUS tender

The tender dossier was developed under funding arrangements with Agence française de développement (AFD). Both the DNCCP Togo (Direction nationale du contrôle de la commande publique) and AFD had previously issued no-objection certifications.

The CRD emphasized that in externally funded projects, donor stipulations take precedence over national procurement rules, particularly regarding lot structuring. This framework ensured the tender’s full compliance with international standards.