EU officially recognizes Togo's COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate

By Aurore Bonny

DOUALA, Cameroon (AA) - The COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate developed by Togo will be accepted in EU countries, the country's Digital Transformation Ministry and the bloc's delegation in Togo said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

"The EU has just formalized the recognition of the Togolese COVID-19 digital vaccination certificate by its 27 countries. Togo thus becomes the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to obtain this equivalence. Congratulations," Joaquin Tasso Vilallonga, the ambassador of the EU in Togo, said.

This measure will be effective from Nov. 25 and will allow fully vaccinated Togolese travelers to access places subject to the presentation of the certificate across Europe, the joint statement said.

Togolese state, through this digital device, could establish "in record time the reciprocity with the European system of vaccination certificates against COVID-19,” it added.

"This is good news for Togolese, especially those in the diaspora and European businessmen making regular trips to Togo," Vilallonga also said.

This recognition attests to the importance for Togo to build interoperable digital solutions that meet international norms and standards, according to Cina Lawson, Togo's digital economy and digital transformation minister.

She also welcomed "a first step in the effort to digitalize the health sector in Togo."

The West African country's immunization strategy is "effective" and places it "among the best-immunized countries in the sub-region," according to the joint release.

Moustapha Mijiyawa, Togo's public health minister, reported an immunization rate of 12%, with more than 500,000 people fully immunized out of a population of over 8 million.