Togo outlines strategy to attract more diaspora investment

Investments

Monday, 09 February 2026 14:33

Togo outlines strategy to attract more diaspora investment

(Togo First) - Togo is stepping up efforts to attract greater investment from its diaspora, a key priority for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad.

From February 4 to 6, 2026, the city of Kpalimé hosted a workshop aimed at defining strategic guidelines for mobilizing the Togolese diaspora.

The event was held under the “Streamlining Diaspora Engagement to Catalyze Private Investment and Entrepreneurship for Enhanced Resilience” (SDE4R) project, supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). It was organized by the ministry and brought together representatives from government departments, public agencies and civil society.

Discussions focused on translating a diaspora engagement assessment, validated on January 22, 2026, in Lomé, into concrete strategic guidelines. These are expected to serve as the basis for a future national strategy on diaspora mobilization.

The government views the initiative as a way to better channel the contribution of Togolese living abroad toward private investment and entrepreneurship.

According to the ministry, nearly one million Togolese were registered abroad at the end of 2022. Their contribution is already significant, notably through remittances estimated at several hundred million dollars a year, as well as investments in real estate, trade and agriculture.

The workshop is part of a broader push to strengthen ties with the diaspora over the past five years. Measures include the launch of a digital platform offering services to Togolese abroad, expanded consular services, and annual diaspora forums. In 2023, Togo passed legislation to promote and protect diaspora investment. In 2024, it followed with a credit access program for diaspora entrepreneurs in partnership with local financial institutions.

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.