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The Government of Togo and Bboxx, a next generation utility, have announced what is described as the first-ever memorandum of understanding (MoU) to sell smartphones in Togo on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The MoU will, the parties claim, improve digital inclusion and the delivery of digital public services through deployment of smartphones in the country.

The rollout of handsets is expected in 2022, as part of a Togo Smartphone initiative.

The programme will be in three phases. Phase 1 will involve market research, capturing important insights regarding customer preferences and requirements, including data plans and hardware. Phase 2 will see smartphones made available, on salary deduction or pay-as-you-go basis, to civil servants and public sector workers to incentivise the transition to digital public service delivery.

Phase 3 will see smartphones made available to the Togolese public, again via affordable financing options like pay as you go.