Togo reports nearly 39 million trees planted since 2021
Monday, 01 June 2026 18:43 
(Togo First) - Togo has planted nearly 39 million trees since 2021 under a national campaign to plant one billion trees by 2030, the environment ministry said Monday at the launch of the 2026 edition of National Tree Month.
The ministry, led by Dodzi Kokoroko, said the trees planted so far cover more than 49,000 hectares across the country. The total represents less than 4% of the 2030 target, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.
Despite the gap, the government said it intends to maintain the momentum. For 2026, it aims to plant 16.8 million seedlings across 11,250 hectares.
The species selected vary according to ecological zone and environmental priority. Along the coast, casuarina trees and coconut palms have been prioritized to help combat coastal erosion.
In the Plateaux region, teak and African mahogany are being promoted to support forest regeneration. In the central and northern regions, neem, acacia, shea and baobab are being used to enrich savannah ecosystems and curb desertification.
“Reforestation is not just an ecological action — it is an act of collective responsibility,” Kokoroko said. Each tree planted helps preserve soils, water resources and the climate while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations, he added.
The initiative, now extended throughout June, builds on National Tree Day, observed every June 1 since 1977. It aims to intensify reforestation efforts by encouraging citizens, institutions and organizations to take part in tree-planting activities beyond the commemorative date.
Esaïe Edoh
