Togo reshuffles cabinet, names Loukou-Kadjé at transport and recalls Tengue to maritime economy

Economic governance

Sunday, 25 January 2026 02:36

Togo reshuffles cabinet, names Loukou-Kadjé at transport and recalls Tengue to maritime economy

(Togo First) - Togo’s President of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé, has appointed two new ministers as part of an adjustment to the government’s structure. Under a decree signed on January 23, 2026, Komlan Loukou-Kadjé was named minister of transport, opening up, and rural roads. The portfolio had previously been directly attached to the Presidency of the Council.

Loukou-Kadjé, a civil engineer specializing in roads and bridges, returns to government. He previously served as minister of public works and transport after his appointment in February 2009.

The same decree also brought Edem Kokou Tengue back into the government as minister delegate to the minister of transport, in charge of the maritime economy. The portfolio is a familiar one for Tengue, who holds a doctorate in economics and previously led Maersk Togo. He oversaw the maritime economy between 2020 and 2024 before most recently serving as minister-counselor at the Presidency of the Council.

The creation of a full-fledged ministry dedicated to transport is intended to strengthen coordination of public investment in road networks and domestic mobility. The move comes amid growing infrastructure needs and efforts to improve access to rural areas.

For the maritime economy, Tengue’s return signals strategic continuity. The sector remains a pillar of Togo’s economy, driven by the Port of Lomé, which is seeking to consolidate its position amid rising regional competition. In 2024, the port handled about 2.06 million TEUs, up 8% from a year earlier, and continues to rank among Africa’s top-performing ports in international benchmarks.

With these new appointments, Togo’s executive branch now counts 29 members. The cabinet includes 18 full ministers and 11 ministers delegate.

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.