Togo, France discuss Sahel security, regional mediation efforts

Economic governance

Friday, 24 April 2026 10:17

Togo, France discuss Sahel security, regional mediation efforts

(Togo First) - Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé received French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Lomé on Thursday, as the French official began a two-day visit to the country.

According to the presidency, the two officials discussed investment opportunities, projects backed by the Agence française de développement (AFD), and cooperation prospects in productive sectors. Paris appears keen to strengthen what it sees as a strategic relationship amid shifting geopolitical alignments in the region.

“I had the honor of being received by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who gave me a very warm welcome. We discussed the diversity, depth and long history of our bilateral cooperation, as well as the momentum both presidents aim to build in this relationship. This visit reflects the ambition shared by both leaders for ties between France and Togo,” Barrot said.

Beyond bilateral ties, they also discussed security issues and mediation efforts in West Africa and the Great Lakes region. Togo has positioned itself as an active player in regional dialogue, particularly with Sahel countries, as part of a strategy to maintain relations with multiple partners without aligning exclusively with any.

“Togo, under President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, is playing a key mediation role in the Great Lakes region, as well as addressing the situation in the Sahel, which remains a major concern and where Togo plays an important role. We also discussed Iran, the Near East and the Middle East, and the effects that are being strongly felt in both Togo and France,” Barrot added.

The talks also covered ways to strengthen cooperation on mediation and security in Africa, as well as broader international issues, including the Middle East.

Togo’s regional positioning also carries economic weight. Trade corridors with Sahel countries account for a significant share of traffic through the Port of Lomé, highlighting the economic stakes behind its diplomacy in the subregion.

In this context, cooperation with France is part of Lomé’s broader strategy to diversify partnerships while maintaining the country’s attractiveness to investors.

Barrot’s visit comes ahead of the “Africa Forward” summit scheduled for May 2026 in Nairobi, where Togo is expected to play a key role on issues related to innovation and growth.

“This visit also looks ahead to the Africa Forward summit, an international gathering where Togo will play an important role,” the minister said.

During his stay, Barrot is also expected to visit economic and social projects developed as part of Franco-Togolese cooperation.

R.E.D

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.