Togo First
Ecobank, BOAD, Proparco partner to channel up to 500 mln euros into African private sector, agriculture
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and Ecobank Group, both based in Lomé, separately announced agreements with Proparco, a subsidiary of the French Development Agency (AFD), on Monday. The deals were unveiled by the French institution in Nairobi on the sidelines of the Africa Forward summit.
BOAD and Proparco
The first agreement, signed between BOAD and Proparco, covers a dual-currency financing arrangement worth 200 million euros, or about 131 billion CFA francs. Structured in euros and CFA francs, the deal aims to expand local-currency financing for businesses in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) zone.
Proparco Chief Executive Françoise Lombard said the agreement should help mobilize more local-currency financing for the private sector and local economies.
BOAD President Serge Ekué said the transaction would help direct more funding to projects with strong economic and social impact in Africa.
Ecobank and Proparco
Separately, Ecobank and Proparco signed a memorandum of understanding to mobilize up to 300 million euros over three years for African agricultural value chains.
The partnership includes credit guarantees, risk-sharing mechanisms and trade-financing facilities for the agricultural sector across the 33 African countries where Ecobank operates. Part of the funding will also be directed toward agro-industrial small and medium-sized enterprises and agricultural commodity traders.
The agreement also includes support for Ecobank's "Ellever" program, which targets women entrepreneurs in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Kenya.
"This is capital being put to work in the real economy, financing food production, livelihoods and local value creation," Ecobank Group Chief Executive Jeremy Awori said.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo implements 68.7% of UEMOA reforms in 2025
Togo implemented 68.7% of reforms, policies, programs and projects adopted by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in 2025, according to figures presented by the bloc’s Commission during the 11th annual review of UEMOA reforms held in Lomé on Monday.
This year’s review covered 145 reforms as well as three regional programs and projects. The implementation rate fell from 77.9% in 2024, a decline of 9.21 percentage points, based on an assessment conducted by the UEMOA Commission in November.
The Commission said the decline was partly due to Togo’s failure, at the time of the evaluation, to incorporate the bloc’s anti-money laundering directive into national law. The drop was particularly marked in the agriculture, culture and handicrafts sectors.
Finance and Budget Minister Georges Barcola said the weaker performance should serve as “a warning signal” requiring stronger mobilization and better coordination between national and regional stakeholders.
He also stressed the strategic importance of the sectors concerned.
“Agriculture underpins the rural economy, while culture and handicrafts are central to our identity and support value creation and employment,” he said.
Established under a supplementary act adopted by the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Union on Oct. 24, 2013, the annual review is part of the bloc’s mechanism for monitoring the implementation of regional decisions. It aims to measure progress made by member states and identify ongoing challenges.
Following the evaluation, recommendations were sent to the relevant ministries to address the constraints identified in the implementation of regional policies.
Esaïe Edoh
New World TV to relay 2026 World Cup signal to 43 African countries from Lomé base
Togolese media group New World TV will once again be the exclusive broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup across sub-Saharan Africa. Less than a month before the tournament begins, the group gathered broadcasters from 43 African countries in Lomé on Monday for a two-day workshop.
The workshop focused on the role African broadcasters will play in covering the competition. New World TV, which holds the rights to broadcast the entire tournament, used the event to brief partners on FIFA’s broadcast rights rules, including technical and content requirements.
As the exclusive rights holder for sub-Saharan Africa, the Lomé-based media group said during the workshop that it would strengthen signal security measures to combat piracy. The group also reaffirmed its ambition to ensure the broadest possible coverage of the 2026 World Cup across the 43 territories under its rights agreement.
From June 11 to July 19, 2026, New World TV will broadcast all 104 matches scheduled in the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 nations, including 10 from Africa. Television and radio partners in 43 African countries will receive the signal from Lomé to broadcast the matches.
Group Chief Executive Aboubacar Coulibaly said the company would mobilize all necessary resources to ensure full coverage of the competition, building on the experience it gained during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
As in previous competitions, one of New World TV’s key features will be the broadcast of matches in African local languages to reach a wider audience across the continent.
New World TV also holds broadcasting rights to several other major sporting events, including the Africa Cup of Nations, the UEFA European Championship, the UEFA Champions League and several European club competitions.
Esaïe Edoh
Lomé Talks Focus on Economic Cost of Malnutrition in West and Central Africa
Twenty West and Central African countries gathered in Lomé on Monday for a three-day conference on child nutrition and early childhood development, as governments and development partners seek ways to finance programs aimed at reducing malnutrition in the region.
The event, organized by the Togolese government and the World Bank Group, aims to assess the state of child nutrition and explore funding options for future interventions.
One in Three Children Affected by Malnutrition
Data presented at the opening session highlighted the scale of the challenge. In West and Central Africa, nearly one in three children suffers from stunting, while 65 million women are affected by anemia, according to figures cited during the ceremony.
For Tony Verheijen, the World Bank Group’s resident representative in Togo, the numbers reflect long-term economic and social losses.
“They represent lost human potential, disrupted education and jobs that will never be created,” he said.
Against that backdrop, Togo has improved several nutrition indicators in recent years. Between 2014 and 2017, the country’s stunting rate fell from 27.5% to 23.8%. Its exclusive breastfeeding rate stands at 64.3%, one of the highest in the sub-region, according to UNICEF.
Verheijen also said Togo validated a national preschool education strategy in 2024 and adopted new regulations for nurseries and daycare centers.
“Despite recent gains, more work is needed to ensure every child has access to a sufficiently diverse diet, reaches their full developmental potential and that maternal nutrition improves,” said Martine Moni Sankaredja, minister of Solidarity, Gender, Family and Child Protection, at the opening ceremony.
She added that the conference should help produce “a shared regional approach that places children and mothers at the center of public policy.”
The Economic Argument
The conference also highlighted the economic impact of nutrition. According to World Bank data, every dollar invested in integrated nutrition programs can generate returns of up to 23 dollars.
“Investing in human capital from birth is the foundation of all sustainable and inclusive growth,” Verheijen said.
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF regional director Gilles Fagninou, the organization’s deputy regional director for West and Central Africa pointed to the results of the Muskoka Fund, which operates in six countries in the region and brings together four U.N. agencies.
Between 2010 and 2024, the program contributed to a 25% increase in exclusive breastfeeding, a 28% reduction in stunting and a 74% decline in severe acute malnutrition, UNICEF said.
Focus on Domestic Financing
The conference will conclude on Wednesday with a ministerial conclave focused on domestic financing for nutrition and early childhood development programs.
“How do we sustainably and collectively mobilize the resources needed to finance nutrition and early childhood development?” Verheijen asked.
UNICEF, whose 2026-2029 Strategic Plan focuses on expanding priority interventions, said it expects the conference to produce measurable commitments from participating countries.
“No lasting transformation will be possible without stronger commitment from states themselves,” the organization’s representative said.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Moves to Operationalize Nuclear Safety Authority
Togo is preparing to establish a national nuclear safety and security authority as it strengthens regulation of its civilian nuclear sector.
At last week’s Council of Ministers meeting, Council President Faure Gnassingbé instructed ministers to speed up the creation of the authority, which will oversee risks linked to radioactive materials.
The move comes as Togo expands its legal framework for peaceful nuclear activities. The government recently adopted draft laws authorizing the country’s accession to international conventions on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management and compensation for nuclear accidents.
The measures are expected to improve Togo’s access to international technical cooperation and financing. Authorities also plan to map radiological risks across the country, with the assessment expected to support new regulations aligned with international standards.
Since 2025, Togo has accelerated efforts in the civilian nuclear sector. The country has served on the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency and created an Atomic Energy Commission to coordinate programs related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy in sectors including health, agriculture and energy.
Togo expands biometric identification drive to Plateaux Region
Togo is pressing ahead with its national biometric identification program. The National Identification Agency (ANID) launched a public awareness campaign on May 7 in Kpalimé and Badou ahead of enrollment operations in the Kloto and Wawa prefectures in the western part of the Plateaux region.
In Wawa prefecture, enrollment operations are scheduled to begin on May 17, according to local authorities, who said the campaign is aimed at accelerating the assignment of a Unique Identification Number (NIU) to citizens and residents living on Togolese territory.
"Many citizens still live without a recognized proof of identity, a situation that hinders access to essential services," said Bakaï Essolabina, secretary-general of Kloto prefecture, speaking at the campaign launch.
The initiative is being carried out under the WURI-Togo program, which is backed by $72 million in World Bank financing. It calls for the collection of biometric and biographical data to issue a secure digital identity. That identity is intended to facilitate access to public services, social benefits, healthcare, education and financial services.
"Assigning a unique identification number will legally affirm the existence of each individual," said Séva Agbonon, representing ANID's director-general.
By the end of 2025, more than six million Togolese had already received a NIU, according to official figures.
R.E.D
Togo: UNDP Delivers Agricultural Equipment to 11 Cooperatives in Kara and Maritime Regions
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided 11 agricultural cooperatives in Togo's Maritime and Kara regions with a substantial package of equipment to boost their production and processing capacity. The materials, worth a combined 271 million CFA francs, were handed over to beneficiaries late last week in Lomé.
The cooperatives receiving the support, including nine based in the Maritime region and two in the Kara region, have nearly 300 active members working across several promising sectors.
The initiative is part of the Entrepreneurship Support and Value Chain Opportunities Development Project, which is in line with municipal development plans and national priorities for local development and economic inclusion.
The equipment is intended to support production, processing and logistics activities. It includes agricultural and livestock equipment, processing materials, and artisanal tools for pottery production. The package also includes tricycles to help transport inputs, harvests and processed goods to markets.
Beneficiaries operate across diverse sectors, including pottery, poultry, goat and sheep farming, dry-season maize cultivation and coconut processing.
According to UNDP Togo Deputy Resident Representative Seynabou Diaw, those sectors were selected for their potential to generate income, create jobs and strengthen the economic resilience of local communities.
“This equipment represents a genuine opportunity to improve productivity and incomes. Its success will depend on a collective commitment to using and managing it effectively,” she said, also commending the partnership with the Minister Delegate for Local Development.
For the UNDP, the intervention is aimed at strengthening the capacity of local producers and processors at a time when agriculture remains a key pillar of the Togolese economy.
Through this support, the U.N. agency said it aims to improve working conditions for rural cooperatives while helping local agricultural and artisanal products reach wider markets.
Esaïe Edoh
Smartphones: AI and premium features move into the affordable segment
Features once reserved for premium smartphones, such as artificial intelligence tools, extended battery life and water-and-dust resistance, are increasingly appearing in more affordable mid-range devices, reflecting intensifying competition among manufacturers in emerging markets, including Togo.
Infinix Togo launched the Infinix Hot 70 series in Lomé on May 7, 2026, during an event held at the Hôtel 2 Février. The smartphone includes AI-powered productivity and assistance tools, an AMOLED 120Hz display, a 6,000mAh battery and IP65-certified resistance to water and dust.
One of the clearest signs of shifting smartphone market dynamics is the growing integration of AI capabilities into mid-range devices. The Hot 70 series includes features that allow users to organize their schedules, create calendar events from photos and save contacts by photographing business cards.
Keira Mamadi, general manager of Infinix Mobile in Togo, said the company aims to make functions once limited to high-end smartphones more accessible to a broader customer base.
She said the objective is to position the smartphone as more than a communication device, turning it into a tool used across work, learning and entertainment, including mobile gaming. Mamadi added that the device was designed to meet consumer expectations by combining aesthetics, integrated AI features, battery life and durability.
Battery life and durability become key selling points
In several African markets, battery life remains a decisive purchasing factor, with consumers favoring devices equipped with high-capacity batteries and fast-charging systems.
Battery performance is one of the main characteristics highlighted in the Infinix Hot 70 series. Alongside its thermochromic design, which changes color depending on temperature variations, and its drop-resistant structure, specifications presented during the launch show the device includes a 6,000mAh battery, a Helio G100 processor and support for 45W fast charging.
That configuration is intended to support intensive uses such as social media browsing, video streaming and mobile gaming.
Durability is also receiving growing attention in the affordable smartphone segment. Water-and-dust resistance, drop protection and long-term software support, up to five years according to information presented during the launch, are becoming increasingly common selling points among manufacturers targeting price-sensitive consumers.
Although performance differences between premium and affordable smartphones remain, the technology gap between the two segments continues to narrow.
Unlike in the past, affordable smartphones are no longer judged on price alone. Display smoothness, battery life, connectivity and built-in smart features have become increasingly important to consumers. Rising expectations are fueling faster device upgrades and intensifying competition among smartphone brands across Africa, including in Togo.
S.A
Oragroup Swings Back to Profit in 2025 After Steep 2024 Loss
Oragroup, the Lomé-based banking group, returned to profit in 2025 after posting a loss of 44.4 billion CFA francs the previous year. The group reported a consolidated net profit of 21.6 billion CFA francs for the year ended Dec. 31, 2025.
Oragroup, which operates in 12 West and Central African countries, attributed the turnaround to cost-cutting measures, tighter risk management and stronger loan recovery efforts.
Cost of risk fell 90%, dropping from nearly 69 billion CFA francs in 2024 to 6.9 billion CFA francs in 2025. Operating expenses declined 12%, while pre-provision operating profit rose 49% to 36.1 billion CFA francs.
The improvement came despite a 5% decline in net banking income, which fell to 186.6 billion CFA francs. The group said the decrease reflected a more selective approach to risk-taking and efforts to reduce concentration in certain sectors.
Total assets exceeded 4,014 billion CFA francs, while shareholders’ equity rose 17%. Customer deposits increased 5% to more than 3,088 billion CFA francs.
No Dividends for Shareholders
Despite returning to profit, Oragroup does not plan to distribute dividends. The group said it would retain earnings to strengthen its capital base after several years of financial strain and the collapse of a proposed acquisition by Vista Group.
The recovery is part of a strategy launched in 2023 focused on cutting costs, tightening oversight of the loan book and strengthening risk controls.
Early 2026 figures suggest the trend is continuing. Oragroup said net profit was already up 37% in the first quarter, while deposits rose 14% year-on-year.
A fragile recovery?
Oragroup’s difficulties between 2023 and 2024 were severe. The group posted a net loss of 18.2 billion CFA francs in 2023, which widened to 44.4 billion CFA francs in 2024.
Financial difficulties were compounded by internal tensions. Industry media reported a governance crisis, the departure of senior executives and reduced lending activity in some subsidiaries.
The attempted acquisition by Vista Group had been viewed as a potential route to recapitalization and stabilization. A deal was announced in 2023 for the purchase of more than 61% of Oragroup’s capital, but the transaction collapsed in 2025 due to regulatory constraints, the group’s persistent financial difficulties and concerns over asset quality.
Since 2025, Oragroup has adopted a more cautious strategy focused on cost reductions, improving asset quality and tighter lending standards.
While the return to profit points to a more stable outlook, significant challenges remain. The group will need to sustain profitability, strengthen its capital base, improve loan quality and maintain investor confidence while gradually expanding lending without taking on excessive risk.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Kara hosts regional forum on inclusive employment and entrepreneurship
A regional forum on employment and vocational training opened this week in Kara, 412 km north of Lomé. The three-day event, organized as part of the “Economic Inclusion” project, is due to end Friday.
The initiative is led by Handicap International in partnership with the Togolese Federation of Associations of Persons with Disabilities (FETAPH), with financial support from German development cooperation through GIZ’s ProEmploi+ program. It is being held under the theme: “Employment and Entrepreneurship Forum: Building an Inclusive and Accessible Labor Market for All.”
The forum brings together job seekers, companies, financial institutions and vocational training stakeholders. It aims to improve access to economic opportunities for vulnerable groups, including young people, women and persons with disabilities in the Kara region.
Organizers also want to create a platform for dialogue among labor market stakeholders to improve access to jobs, training and financing.
The program includes awareness sessions on employment support services, training in business plan development and life skills. It also features business meetings, panels on emerging occupations and high-potential sectors, and exhibitions of local products.
For local authorities, the issue goes beyond social inclusion. “Building an inclusive system requires removing physical, social and institutional barriers,” said Gnigbangou Gountibote, secretary-general of the Kara governorate.
Organizers say the persistent exclusion of part of the working-age population limits Togo’s economic potential. In that context, entrepreneurship and vocational training are expected to improve employability and expand participation in the economy.