Togo’s Mining Output Led by Phosphates as Revenues Remain Concentrated

Mining

Friday, 23 January 2026 13:29

Togo’s Mining Output Led by Phosphates as Revenues Remain Concentrated

(Togo First) - Mining output in Togo was driven by three commodities in 2023: phosphates (1.52 million tonnes), limestone (2.94 million tonnes) and clinker (1.31 million tonnes). According to the 2023 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report, these three minerals accounted for most production volumes and underpinned the country’s mining activity during the year.

A review of payments to the state treasury points to diverging trends between 2022 and 2023, shaped by shifts in output volumes and a heavy concentration of fiscal revenues among a small number of key players.

Output dominated by phosphates, clinker and limestone

Phosphates remained the dominant mineral in Togo’s mining output and exports. Production totalled 1.52 million tonnes in 2023, slightly down from 1.54 million tonnes in 2022. The EITI report values 2022 phosphate output at 185.9 billion CFA francs, but no figure was published for 2023.

Limestone volumes declined from 3.17 million tonnes in 2022 to 2.94 million tonnes in 2023. Its 2022 output was valued at 17.7 billion CFA francs. Clinker production reached 1.31 million tonnes, while migmatite output stood at 339,277 cubic metres.

Other minerals posted mixed trends. Clay output rose to 426,790 tonnes in 2023 from 393,341 tonnes in 2022. Gneiss fell sharply to 44,764 tonnes, compared with 285,558 tonnes a year earlier. Dolomite rose by nearly 30%, increasing from 78,848 tonnes to 101,265 tonnes over the period.

Reported output also included sand (21,472 tonnes) and crushed marble (1,730 tonnes). For several minerals, no value figures were disclosed, limiting an assessment of their economic contribution.

Mining revenues heavily concentrated

Total mining-sector revenues reported in 2023 amounted to 119.4 billion CFA francs. The bulk of payments came from Société Nouvelle des Phosphates du Togo (SNPT), which contributed 106.8 billion CFA francs, or 89.47% of the total.

These revenues were mainly made up of mining royalties, corporate income tax, and customs duties and taxes.

Limited diversification beyond SNPT

After SNPT, Scantogo Mines contributed 9.0 billion CFA francs in 2023, followed by WACEM with 878 million CFA francs. Other operators reported only minor payments.

Mining royalties accounted for 37.98% of revenues, driven largely by phosphates and SNPT, at 43.5 billion CFA francs in 2023. Customs duties and taxes represented 23.34%, while corporate income tax made up 18.58%. Dividends contributed 8.55% of mining revenues paid into the treasury, according to the EITI.

Overall, Togo’s extractive sector generated about 124.25 billion CFA francs in 2023, almost entirely driven by mining, which contributed 123.18 billion CFA francs. By comparison, the water sector, mainly operated by TdE and included in the EITI scope, generated 1.07 billion CFA francs over the period.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

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