(Togo First) - • Kodjo Sévon-Tépé Adedze, former Speaker of the National Assembly, was appointed Minister of Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Housing, heading a “super ministry” at the center of Togo’s new government.
• Three delegate ministers report directly to him, including former Finance Minister Sani Yaya, signaling a major reshuffle to accelerate infrastructure and housing reforms.
• Adedze faces critical policy challenges, including addressing a 500,000-unit housing deficit and improving access to water and sanitation, currently at 70% in cities and 40% in rural areas.

Togo’s President of the Council Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé appointed Kodjo Sévon-Tépé Adedze as Minister of Territorial Planning, Urbanism, and Housing on October 8, 2025, elevating the former National Assembly speaker to one of the most powerful roles in the country’s new government structure.

The new “super ministry” consolidates oversight of public works, housing, water, and local development, positioning Adedze at the center of policy coordination for national infrastructure and urban growth.

Under Adedze’s direct supervision, three high-profile ministers will lead specialized portfolios: Sani Yaya, former Minister of Economy and Finance for nearly seven years, will oversee Public Works and Infrastructure ;  Koamy Gomado, a former member of the opposition ANC party, will manage Local Development and Séna Alipui, from the opposition UFC party, will take charge of Water and Sanitation.

This configuration gives Adedze broad authority over transport, housing, and essential public services — all strategic levers of the administration’s priority programs.

At 63, Adedze brings decades of experience in Togo’s public administration. A customs inspector by training, he graduated from ENA and the National Customs School of Neuilly-sur-Seine before joining the civil service in 1988.

He rose through the ranks to become Director General of Customs, later serving as Commissioner of Customs and Indirect Duties, and eventually as Commissioner General of the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) following the departure of Rwandan technocrat Gaperi.

Entering government in 2019, Adedze successively held portfolios in Trade, Industry, Local Consumption, and Urbanism and Land Reform before being elected Speaker of the National Assembly in June 2024.

According to reports from the IMF and the World Bank, Adedze’s new ministry faces urgent challenges: making public investment in infrastructure more efficient; reducing a housing deficit exceeding 500,000 units, requiring 15,000 new homes annually; improving urban and rural access to water and sanitation.

Urban coverage currently stands at 70%, compared to only 40% in rural areas.

The ministry will also steer urban and land planning, advance decentralization, and support local development projects, particularly in fast-growing municipalities.

Among Adedze’s flagship projects is the 20,000 affordable housing program, backed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), expected to benefit over 100,000 people. The pilot site of Kpomé-Dalavé, spanning 1,100 hectares, reflects the government’s strategy for planned urbanization and inclusive growth.

International financial institutions have urged Togo to better target capital spending, accelerate road maintenance, and modernize land governance to enhance economic efficiency. The overarching goal is to turn territorial development into a key driver of private-sector-led growth through public-private partnerships (PPPs).

This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum