Revamp of Togo's Lomé International Airport showcases China-Africa Cooperation

Togo's aim to enhance its connectivity in the region has been supported by the notable upgrade of its Lomé International Airport, now recognized as a key airport in West Africa. This improvement is a clear outcome of the collaborative efforts between China and Togo, facilitated by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

The airport's renovation, which began in 2012 with Chinese support, has played a significant role in Togo's modernization. A central figure in this journey is Dr. S. Antoine Batcha, who was contacted by the Chinese company leading the renovation during his doctoral studies in China. Despite initial reluctance, he chose to return to Togo to contribute to a project of national significance.

"Given the importance of the project, also realizing that they saw that I have some skills to be able to support the project, I decided to come back," he said.

Within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the project to redevelop and extend the Lomé International Airport is expected to help Togo build an air hub in the West African region.

Batcha also shared his excitement when he joined the project.

"I was delighted, very impressed. If this massive plan can be implemented quickly in Lomé, then Lomé will be ahead of the other West African Economic and Monetary Union countries," he said.

According to Lu Xinyong, the project's Chinese manager, Batcha's involvement has been crucial, especially in managing a 2013 labor dispute that could have impacted the project's progress.

"I was particularly impressed by an event that happened in 2013. There was a strike at the construction site. Dr. Batcha learned about the requests of the Chinese company and the local employees, and then, through active communication with both parties, he managed to settle the situation. He has become a bridge that facilitates communication between the Chinese company and local employees," the manager said.

The inauguration of the new terminal in April 2016 marked a significant milestone, with the facility not only expanding the airport's capacity but also meeting high environmental standards, earning it a carbon accreditation.

"When carrying out the work, we took all possible measures to respect green construction guidelines -- in particular the curtain walls, which are highly ecological. And thanks to the respect shown to environmental standards, Lomé airport today has succeeded in the carbon accreditation of airports," Batcha said.

The success of the airport has sparked discussions for further expansion, including plans for a second terminal, highlighting its growing importance to Togo's economy.

"The terminal has become a lung for the national economy. This terminal has put Togo back at the center of international activities. We end up with an airport terminal that is getting small. And so I think that with this Sino-Togolese cooperation, we will be able to build other buildings," said Abdou Ahabou Idrissou, director general of the National Civil Aviation Agency of Togo.

The ongoing collaboration between China and Togo at Lomé International Airport exemplifies how international partnerships can lead to substantial improvements in infrastructure and economic development.

"Togo has developed very rapidly in recent years. I am very honored, as part of a Chinese company, to have had the opportunity to come and participate in the construction of Togo," said Liang Pengfang, a Chinese civil engineer of the project.

"I am very honored, very happy -- together with the Chinese teams to contribute towards the modernization of Togo's infrastructure," Batcha said.

Revamp of Togo's Lomé International Airport showcases China-Africa Cooperation

Many Singaporeans support raising the re-employment age, partly to stay busy and active in retirement, and to help address demographic challenges in the workforce.

Like many other Asian countries, Singapore is grappling with a rapidly aging population. The government predicts that by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 or older, up from one in 10 two decades ago.

A survey on retirement and employment conducted last year in the country found broad support for raising the national retirement age, with about 88 percent of those aged 50 and above in favor.

Some supported increasing the retirement age because continuing to do what they love, rather than retiring, keeps them feeling youthful and fulfilled.

When Nancy Hor, a retired IT operations manager, left her job five years ago, she wasn't sure how to fill her time.

"I'm a workaholic. At the very first stage after I retired, I felt I could not find balance," she said.

Hor, now 70, said it took her some time to adjust. In her spare time, she stays busy line dancing and spending time with her family.

But she said that if she had had the choice, she would have liked to stay employed a little longer.

"I think it's good for the elderly that even they have some job to do, and keep them busy," said Hor.

In March, authorities announced plans to raise the retirement age to 64 and the re-employment age to 69 by 2026.

Singapore's Minister of State for Manpower, Gan Siow Huang, said the changes to the rules protect senior workers from dismissal due to age-related issues before they reach the statutory retirement age. Employers are also required to offer re-employment to eligible workers until they reach the statutory re-employment age limit.

This follows a similar move made two years ago to raise the retirement and re-employment ages to 63 and 68, respectively. The city-state is also aiming for a retirement age of 65 and a re-employment age of 70 by 2030.

"That is to reduce the impact on businesses, so it gives time for businesses to adapt their policy. This gradual increase in retirement age basically provides a framework for individuals like myself, who want to continue to be gainfully employed," said Patrick Chang, a retirement planning specialist and the author of the A to Z guide to retirement planning.

Chang said that businesses will need to make adjustments to accommodate the changes, including offering retraining for senior workers.

He noted that the changes won't impact those who still wish to retire earlier, but given Singapore's demographic challenges, the country cannot afford to remain idle.

"If we don't do it now, the social cost could be high. We cannot wait until the time when we need it today, and then we get something done. It will probably be a bit too late, and the cost of getting to that solution will be higher," said Chang.

Many Singaporeans support raising retirement, re-employment ages