Togo’s mediation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) crisis has gained European Union (EU) backing. On July 1, 2025, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé met with Johan Borgstam, the EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes region, in Lomé.

During the talks, Borgstam confirmed the EU’s readiness to support Togo’s mediation efforts. “I reaffirmed to the President of the Council the European Union’s commitment to support the various ongoing mediation efforts,” Borgstam said.

Togo, mandated by the African Union (AU), has already helped broker progress in the DRC conflict. On June 27, Togolese diplomats joined a ministerial delegation in Washington for the signing of a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, alongside the United States and other partners.

Le Président du Conseil, @FEGnassingbe, Médiateur de l’Union africaine dans la crise en République Démocratique du Congo s’est entretenu ce 1ᵉʳ juillet 2025 avec Johan Borgstam, Représentant spécial de l’Union européenne pour la région des Grands Lacs. https://t.co/oik0J9dVLy pic.twitter.com/19JyzfY6ge

— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) July 1, 2025

Now, the key task is to implement the agreement effectively.  Borgstam stressed the need for action: “It is an important step in the right direction, but what matters now is implementation with the involvement and participation of the populations concerned so that we can ensure the viability and sustainability of this agreement.”

Since the AU appointed President Gnassingbé as Mediator in April 2025, he has ramped up consultations with regional and international actors. His goal is to foster inclusive dialogue and achieve a lasting, peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern DRC.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an immediate disbursement of $60.5 million to Togo.
• The approval follows a second review of Togo's 42-month, $400 million Extended Credit Facility (ECF), which received approval in March 2024.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced on June 30 a new disbursement of $60.5 million for Togo. The package, approved by the IMF’s Board of Directors, is immediate. It comes after the second review of the Fund’s 42-month Extended Credit Facility (ECF), totaling $400 million and approved in March 2024.

The IMF lauded Lomé for successfully implementing the program, despite persisting security challenges and difficult financing conditions. All quantitative goals set for the end of December 2024 were met, barring the performance criterion regarding the budget balance.

The fiscal revenue increased as planned during this period while non-fiscal revenue surpassed expectations. However, higher-than-expected expenditures led to a faster-than-anticipated accumulation of debt.

"Authorities have satisfactorily implemented the IMF-backed program, despite ongoing security issues, challenging financing conditions, and high global uncertainty. Among other achievements, authorities have rallied fiscal revenues in line with targets while non-fiscal revenues have exceeded expectations," notes Kenji Okamura, Acting Chair and Deputy Managing Director of the fund.

He also pointed out that progress on fiscal adjustment has been slower than anticipated due to operations recorded by the authorities below the budget line, resulting in faster-than-expected debt accumulation. Authorities' efforts to address this trend—such as publishing a forward-looking note on budget execution and debt accumulation—are acknowledged.

In this context, the Fund encourages Togolese authorities to continue fiscal adjustment efforts while preserving growth and enhancing inclusion. Reforms to improve expenditure efficiency and enhance the social protection system, including the phased elimination of fuel subsidies, are also recommended.

The importance of strengthening governance, particularly through the publication of planned governance diagnostic and aligning wealth and income declaration systems with international standards, is underscored.

Including the latest disbursement, the IMF has released around $129 million for Togo under the ECF since March 2024. The next review of the program is scheduled for the second half of 2025.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Banks in Togo sharply increased lending in the first quarter of 2025, signaling a resilient economy and stronger support for the private sector.

Togolese banks issued CFA286 billion in new loans from January to March 2025, according to data shared on June 27 at the National Credit Council (CNC) meeting. Minister of Economy and Finance Essowè Georges Barcola chaired the session. This amount marks a 19% jump compared to the same period last year.

Officials say the rise reflects growing confidence from financial institutions in the national economy, which has maintained steady growth despite global uncertainties. Minister Barcola noted this trend particularly benefits very small, small, and medium-sized enterprises (VSEs and SMEs), which secured 44% of new loans, up from 37% a year ago.

Economy Stays Robust, Growth Forecast at 6.2%

At their Lomé meeting, CNC members assessed Togo’s economic, monetary, and financial health as of March 31. They confirmed the economy’s strong momentum, projecting 6.2% growth for 2025, after 6.3% growth in 2024. Officials expect all sectors to contribute, especially market services, which saw revenue climb 6.3% in Q1.

Construction and public works activity also remains solid, with its index standing 0.9 points above the long-term average, according to BCEAO data.

Inflation Under Control, Credit Rising

Another positive sign: inflation fell to 0.8% in April from 1.8% in March, thanks to lower food prices and better local supplies. This price stability has created favorable conditions for expanding credit.

The BCEAO reported total outstanding bank loans reached CFA1,788.3 billion by March 2025, a 5.5% year-on-year increase.

Lending rates stayed moderate at an average of 7.56% in March, close to the WAEMU average. Meanwhile, banks slightly reduced deposit rates to 5.67%, reflecting a cautious monetary stance.

Focus on Microfinance and Financial Inclusion

The CNC also discussed microfinance institutions, which remain vital for providing credit to vulnerable populations but face high risks of unpaid loans. The council is considering reforms to make these institutions more sustainable.

Overall, the semi-annual Credit Council meeting confirmed Togo’s financial system is effectively supporting the economy while maintaining stability. In the broader WAEMU region, where growth is projected to hit 7.3% in Q2, Togo continues to stand out as a pillar of resilience and financial inclusion.

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

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s soybean industry plans to boost production to 500,000 tons for the 2025-2026 agricultural season, nearly doubling current output. The target was announced by the Interprofessional Council for the Soybean Sector of Togo (CIFS-Togo) during the official launch of the new season on Friday, June 27, 2025, in Atakpamé, about 160 kilometers north of Lomé.

“In 2015, our production was below 25,000 tons. Today, we have reached over 260,000 tons, but market demand is close to 700,000 tons. With everyone’s commitment, we believe we can cross the 500,000-ton mark by 2026,” said Mounirou Koriko, Chairman of CIFS-Togo, during the ceremony.

To meet this ambitious goal, stakeholders must overcome several challenges, including building trust between actors along the value chain and improving access to farm inputs, certified seeds, and production equipment.

According to sector leaders, the new season is an opportunity to strengthen the resilience of the soybean industry, especially after recent campaigns delivered results below expectations.

“If we work together to improve production, everyone will benefit sustainably. Soybeans must become a strategic crop for our agricultural economy,” Koriko emphasized.

Despite structural constraints, Togo’s soybean production has steadily increased over the past decade, rising from less than 25,000 tons in 2015 to over 260,000 tons in 2025, according to CIFS-Togo data.

• UEMOA, Togo, and veterinary drug companies met in Lomé to review reforms and tighten regulations.
  
• Since 2006, over 660 marketing authorizations have been issued, supported by CFA1 billion in funding.
  
• Illicit veterinary medicines still circulate widely, threatening animal health and food security.
  

West African veterinary regulators and pharmaceutical firms are meeting in Lomé this week to assess progress in controlling veterinary medicines across the eight-member West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

The three-day gathering—officially the 6th biennial information meeting—opened under the chairmanship of Togo’s State Minister Yark Damehame and UEMOA Commissioner Mahamadou Gado. Delegates are reviewing regional reforms aimed at harmonizing practices, strengthening public health safeguards, and improving the quality of animal healthcare products.

“This meeting is crucial,” said Dr. Kouadjo Théodore Domagni, UEMOA’s Director of Veterinary Medicines. “We cannot speak of livestock without talking about animal health, and we cannot speak of animal health without quality veterinary medicines.”

UEMOA first signed its veterinary medicine reforms in 2006 and operationalized them in 2010. One early obstacle was securing buy-in from pharmaceutical companies, but Domagni says collaboration has improved in recent years.

The conference comes as regional governments step up efforts to modernize livestock value chains and protect consumers against counterfeit treatments.

Since 2006, UEMOA has centralized the process of issuing marketing authorizations (AMM) for veterinary medicines at the Commission level. More than 660 authorizations have been granted. The bloc has also invested over CFA1 billion ($1.6 million) to train regulators, equip laboratories, and step up field inspections. Additional frameworks for quality control and pharmacovigilance have been implemented.

Despite these efforts, illicit and substandard veterinary medicines still circulate widely across the region, threatening animal health and food security. In many UEMOA countries, livestock contributes up to 38% of agricultural GDP.

BCEAO: Mawuli Couchoro Appointed Togo’s New Voice on Monetary Policy Committee

Togolese economist Mawuli Kodjovi Couchoro will represent Togo on the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Officials confirmed his appointment on June 27 during the National Credit Council’s (CNC) second ordinary session of the year in Lomé.

Couchoro, currently Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (FASEG) at the University of Lomé, replaces Khoura Takpara, whose term ended in March 2025. As a CNC member, he already plays a role in national financial affairs. Now, he will help shape regional monetary decisions on behalf of Togo.

In his new position, Couchoro will make proposals that align with Togo’s priorities, including macroeconomic stability and a more attractive business climate. He will also ensure regional monetary decisions match the realities of the Togolese banking system.

The MPC is the BCEAO’s statutory body in charge of defining monetary policy within the West African Monetary Union (UMOA). It meets regularly to review the region’s economic and financial situation and decides on key interest rates and other monetary tools to keep prices stable and support sustainable growth.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

In Togo, work continues on the rehabilitation of the Kara University Hospital (CHU Kara), with several projects underway. Last week, Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Tchin Darré, visited the site to assess the progress of the different works.

The main rehabilitation project, led by Ellipse Projects, was launched in April 2024 and is scheduled to last 36 months. As of June 20, 2025, the project has reached 35% completion. It is financed through a public-private partnership and includes building a new technical platform and maternity unit using modular construction, along with upgrades to existing infrastructure, including buildings, roads, water, and electricity networks.

Le Prof Tchin DARRE, Ministre de la Santé a visité ce vendredi 20 juin 2025, les différents chantiers en cours d'exécution au CHU Kara pour constater l'état d'avancement des travaux. Il s'agit notamment du Projet Ellipse, de l'unité d'hémodialyse et de la maternité de KfW. pic.twitter.com/2llSWzXlIC

— Ministère en charge de la Santé Togo (@MSPS_Togo) June 21, 2025

Separately, construction of a new hemodialysis unit at CHU Kara has also begun. This project is financed with CFA300 million from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Ecobank, and the Togolese government. The work is planned to run from September 2024 to February 2026, a period of 18 months, and has reached 15% completion.

The hemodialysis facility will include a 10-bed dialysis room, a water treatment area, a technical room, storage space, a consultation room, a catheter placement room, a patient changing area, a waiting room, three bathrooms, a reception area, five offices with integrated bathrooms, a meeting room, and three additional dialysis rooms with two beds each.

In addition, renovations to the maternity ward and gynecological operating rooms, funded by German cooperation through KfW, are now 80% complete.

Despite the ongoing works, overall progress remains below expectations. The Minister called on contractors to speed up operations to ensure the timely delivery of the new facilities and improve healthcare quality in the region.