Turkey-Togo Relations Take Center Stage at Lomé Diplomatic Club's First 2026 Session

Economic governance

Monday, 09 March 2026 13:48

Turkey-Togo Relations Take Center Stage at Lomé Diplomatic Club's First 2026 Session

(Togo First) - The Lomé Diplomatic Club opened its 2026 agenda with a session focused on strengthening economic relations between Togo and Turkey. Organized last weekend by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration, the event brought together diplomats, government officials and business leaders to discuss Africa–Turkey relations.

Speaking at the forum, Turkey’s ambassador to Togo, Muteber Kılıç, outlined the evolution of economic ties between Ankara and the African continent. Trade between Turkey and Africa rose from $5.4 billion in 2003 to $40.7 billion in 2025, with Ankara targeting $50 billion in the coming years.

At the bilateral level, economic exchanges between Lomé and Ankara have also accelerated. Trade between the two countries increased from $128 million in 2021 to nearly $270 million in 2025, according to figures presented at the meeting.

A delegation of Turkish business representatives, members of the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), is expected to visit Lomé in May. The mission aims to strengthen partnerships between companies from both countries and identify investment opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism and technology.

The visit will build on previous business missions and economic forums involving companies from both countries. It will also provide an opportunity to follow up on contacts made during recent economic gatherings, including the World Cooperation Industry Forum held in Istanbul.

Logistics and academic cooperation

Beyond trade, discussions have also focused on logistics and connectivity. The two countries are considering the creation of a direct maritime link between the Autonomous Port of Lomé and the Turkish port of Mersin, with the aim of reducing transit times and improving access to West African hinterland markets.

On the academic front, Lomé and Ankara are exploring ways to increase the number of scholarships available to Togolese students in technical and scientific fields, while expanding faculty exchange programs.

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.