Togo, Saudi Arabia Discuss New Investments in Agriculture, Industry and Ports

Economic governance

Friday, 19 June 2026 16:57

Togo, Saudi Arabia Discuss New Investments in Agriculture, Industry and Ports

(Togo First) - Togo and Saudi Arabia are exploring ways to expand their economic partnership through new investments in strategic sectors such as agriculture, agro-industry, manufacturing, and port operations.

These opportunities were discussed during talks between Togo's President of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé, and Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), on the sidelines of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Europe 2026 summit held in Rome, Italy, on Thursday, June 18.

The discussions centered on co-investment opportunities and the development of high-impact projects in sectors that are priorities for the Togolese economy. The goal is to accelerate the country's structural transformation, support economic growth, and create more value within the local economy.

The two officials also reviewed several projects currently underway in Togo with support from the Saudi Fund for Development.

Among them is a rural development and drinking water access program launched in 2024. Backed by a $5 million grant from the Saudi government, the initiative includes the drilling and installation of 32 solar-powered water systems in 17 communities across the country.

Infrastructure Financing

Cooperation between Lomé and Riyadh has already led to the financing of several major infrastructure projects. In 2013, the Saudi Fund for Development contributed to the rehabilitation of the Kpalimé-Atakpamé road through a loan of approximately CFA6.5 billion.

The fund also helped finance the rehabilitation of the Sokodé-Bassar road with about $17 million, improving mobility, road safety, and commercial activity in the country's central region.

The rehabilitation of the Adagali-Atakpamé corridor, a project included in the government's development roadmap, is among the initiatives supported under the memorandum of understanding signed by Togo and the Saudi Fund for Development in 2022.

The revival of Togo's cotton sector was also discussed during the meeting. The two sides explored opportunities to help modernize the industry, which plays a key role in the national economy.

Togolese officials say the new partnership opportunities with the Saudi sovereign wealth fund reflect growing international investor interest in the country and strengthen its position as an attractive investment destination in West Africa.

Esaïe Edoh

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.