Russia Advances Togo Military Cooperation Pact Amid Regional Shifts

Security

Thursday, 24 July 2025 12:29

Russia Advances Togo Military Cooperation Pact Amid Regional Shifts

(Togo First) - Lomé and Moscow are solidifying their military ties. On July 22, Russia’s legislative committee approved a bill to ratify a framework agreement on military cooperation with Togo. This step follows the signing of the agreement a few months earlier.

The deal includes joint military exercises, training for Togolese soldiers, security intelligence exchange, and free emergency medical assistance. Vladimir Grouzdev, president of the Association of Lawyers of Russia and commission member, told the official Russian press agency, “The agreement is of a framework nature and provides for the granting of medical aid: the host party undertakes to provide emergency medical assistance free of charge to the other state-party.”

For Lomé, this agreement arrives amid a surge of jihadist attacks in the northern Savanes region. The security threat pushed Togo to seek stronger military partnerships. While Togo’s parliament still has to ratify the deal, it unfolds in a broader geopolitical context marked by fading French and American influence in the Sahel and growing Russian presence through similar pacts with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and São Tomé and Príncipe.

This realignment could impact regional power balances. Some analysts see it as a chance for Togo to strengthen its security sovereignty. Others worry it might spark tensions with ECOWAS, where Togo remains a vital member and key transit point for goods, as well as a diplomatic actor.

Despite concerns, Togo remains committed to a multipolar foreign policy. It continues diversifying its international partnerships to navigate a changing global landscape. Key to this strategy is the country's logistical advantage through the deep-water port of Lomé, which supports its role as a regional gateway.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

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.