Togo maintains thermal power at the core of its energy policy

Energy

Friday, 15 May 2026 14:19

Togo maintains thermal power at the core of its energy policy

(Togo First) - Thermal power plants continue to occupy a central place in Togo's energy policy, even as the country steps up investment in renewable energy. In a statement released this week, the Ministry of Energy said thermal facilities remain essential to ensuring a stable electricity supply.

Togo's thermal generation capacity is mainly supported by two operators. ContourGlobal has operated a 100-megawatt gas-fired power plant since 2010, while Kekeli Efficient Power has run a 65-megawatt combined-cycle plant powered by natural gas and propane since 2022. Additional capacity of about 19 MW comes from installations connected to the West African Gas Pipeline.

According to the authorities, these facilities play a key role in meeting peak electricity demand and compensating for fluctuations in hydroelectric and solar generation.

The strategy aligns with the government's objective of achieving universal electricity access by 2030. Official data show the national electrification rate rose from 58% in 2022 to 75.6% in 2025.

At the same time, Togo is advancing several gas infrastructure projects. Under PRIME-GAS, a regional programme backed by the World Bank, authorities plan to develop liquefied natural gas (LNG) reception and storage infrastructure at the port of Lomé, build a gas network to supply future power plants, and construct a pipeline linking the port area to the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA). The programme also includes plans for a potential 500 MW gas-fired power plant and additional regional interconnections.

Alongside thermal expansion, the government is continuing to invest in solar and hydroelectric projects to diversify the national energy mix.

Togo's energy strategy therefore rests on a dual-track approach combining thermal and renewable sources, as the country seeks to strengthen supply reliability while supporting rising electricity demand from households and industry.

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.