U.S. Seeks to Bolster Trade via Lomé Port in Togo

Economic governance

Thursday, 24 July 2025 07:17

U.S. Seeks to Bolster Trade via Lomé Port in Togo

(Togo First) - American diplomat visits West Africa’s fourth-largest container hub to explore opportunities for U.S. firms amid rising trade barriers.

Highlights:

The US seeks to capitalize on Lomé’s strategic deep-water port for greater African market access.
Togo’s exports to the U.S. rose from $20M in 2021 to $97M in 2024.
New U.S. tariffs risk undermining growth; AGOA status remains in place.

The United States is looking to deepen economic ties with Togo by leveraging the logistical strengths of the Port of Lomé, one of Africa’s busiest maritime hubs. Richard Michaels, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Togo, visited the site on Monday, July 21, to assess its potential for American companies.

“Togo has the fourth busiest container port in Africa. Thanks to its deep-water capabilities and state-of-the-art equipment, it offers U.S. companies privileged access to African markets,” Michaels said during the field mission.

Togo boasts the fourth busiest container port in Africa. With advanced deep-water capabilities and cutting-edge equipment, @portdelome offers U.S. businesses unmatched access to African markets. Chargé d’Affaires Michaels toured the port and #LomeContainerTerminal on July 21 to… pic.twitter.com/Ik40D3XmMK
— U.S. Embassy Togo (@USEmbassyLome) July 23, 2025

Several investment and trade opportunities were identified during the visit, which the U.S. diplomat believes could help expand bilateral trade and contribute to “America’s prosperity.”

The move follows a steady increase in trade between the two countries. In 2024, Togolese exports to the U.S. reached $97 million, up from just $20 million in 2021, according to the Ministry of Investment Promotion. Meanwhile, U.S. exports to Togo totaled $283.6 million last year, per COMTRADE data.

However, recent U.S. tariff hikes pose a threat to this progress. In April 2025, the Trump administration imposed a 10% base tariff on imports from several African countries, including Togo. While the country still benefits from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), local exporters fear the new duties could erode their competitiveness.

Concerns are especially high in Togo’s agriculture and textile sectors. Key exports like cocoa, coffee, shea butter, and soybeans may take a hit. Industrial initiatives such as the Plateforme Industrielle d’Adétikopé (PIA), which began exporting garments to the U.S. in 2024, also face uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, the U.S. diplomatic push to maximize Lomé’s port potential could offer a lifeline, sustaining bilateral trade momentum despite a more restrictive policy environment.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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.