• The French Development Agency (AFD) manages a portfolio of over €300 million in Togo, with annual commitments of €40–50 million.

• Benjamin Neumann, with 15 years of experience in fragile regions such as the Sahel, took charge of the Lomé office in August 2025.

• His appointment comes as Togo seeks to diversify financial partnerships amid rising competition from China, Turkey, Russia, and Gulf states.

The French Development Agency (AFD) appointed Benjamin Neumann as its new country director in Lomé in August 2025. He replaces Zolika Bouabdallah at a time when Togo is accelerating its development agenda and expanding its financial partnerships.

Neumann, an economist and journalist by training, brings more than 15 years of experience in international development. He previously worked at Proparco, AFD’s communications unit, and the Crises and Conflicts division, where he helped deploy the “3D” approach — Defense, Diplomacy, Development — in the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea. Most recently, he led the Grand Sahel Unit, managing programs in fragile but strategic countries.

AFD’s Role in Togo

AFD is a key partner in Togo’s development strategy. Its portfolio covers around ten projects worth more than €300 million, targeting education, agriculture, health, urban infrastructure, and energy transition. The agency commits between €40 million and €50 million annually.

AFD also contributes to regional programs on climate change and resilience in the Gulf of Guinea. Proparco, its private sector arm, co-finances a 62 MW solar plant in Sokodé with the African Development Bank. In northern regions such as Savanes and Kara, AFD supports agricultural water management projects. In Lomé, it participates in the financing of the port container terminal, a critical hub for trade in West Africa.

Neumann’s nomination comes as Togo intensifies its engagement with bilateral and multilateral lenders. The government’s roadmap highlights priorities including economic inclusion, infrastructure development, debt management, and resource mobilization to meet demographic growth.

According to AFD, Neumann’s mission is to “put his expertise at the service of Togo’s priorities and strengthen partnerships with local authorities and stakeholders.”

AFD’s mandate faces challenges as France’s influence in Africa is increasingly contested. Anti-French sentiment and the entry of new players such as Turkey, China, Russia, and Gulf countries reshape the region’s financing landscape. Neumann’s leadership will be tested by the need to consolidate AFD’s local partnerships while navigating a competitive geopolitical environment.

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

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Nearly one-third of fruits and vegetables sold in Togo exceed international pesticide residue limits.

• Some products contain banned substances, raising health and trade risks.

• FAO warns that non-compliance could restrict exports of key crops such as coffee, cocoa, and cotton.

Almost one-third of fruits and vegetables sold in Togo contain pesticide residues above international standards, according to a new study presented this week in Lomé. Researchers also found banned substances in several samples.

The findings raise concerns for both public health and the competitiveness of Togolese agriculture, particularly its access to foreign markets.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Togo’s Ministry of Environment presented the data at a validation workshop attended by national experts and institutions. The study analyzed samples from all five regions of the country.

Professor Abdullatif Diallo, a consultant on the project, said misuse was widespread. “We are not the biggest users of pesticides in Africa, but we use them very poorly. Several banned products are found in the residues,” he noted.

The misuse of pesticides could undermine Togo’s agricultural exports. Non-compliance with international standards risks trade restrictions that could weaken key sectors such as coffee, cocoa, cotton, and horticulture. Products failing to meet standards could face rejection on global markets.

Djiwa Oyétounde, FAO’s country representative in Togo, urged authorities to strengthen traceability systems, boost producer training, and expand the capacity of national laboratories.

Farmer organizations, meanwhile, are calling for crop rotation to reduce pesticide dependency. Advocates say better practices will help protect consumer health and preserve the economic credibility of “Made in Togo” products.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Togo launched a training program to build a national system for climate data collection and management.

• Reliable climate data is needed to meet Paris Agreement requirements and guide public policy, especially in agriculture.

• A robust system will help Togo anticipate climate risks, respect international commitments, and direct investments in vulnerable sectors.

The Togolese Ministry of Environment launched a training program on October 1 in Lomé to improve climate data collection and management. National experts are taking part in the initiative, which aims to create a system capable of producing reliable information for policymaking.

“Most of our sectors depend on the climate, especially agriculture. To plan crops or predict rainy seasons, we need precise scenarios and quality data,” said Ayité-Lô Ajavon, a national expert.

The effort responds to international obligations under the Paris Agreement, with support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Raoul Kouamé, ECOWAS representative, stressed the importance of compliance. “The project is part of a perspective of reinforced transparency, which is an obligation for all signatories of the Paris Agreement. Without data, we cannot develop national inventory reports on greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

For Togo, the system has both environmental and economic implications. Stronger climate data will help the country mitigate the impact of climate change on agriculture, infrastructure, and food security.

A reliable national framework will allow the government to meet international commitments, anticipate risks, and better target investments in vulnerable sectors.

The training session will conclude on Friday, October 3, 2025.

• The third Biashara Africa Forum will now take place on November 3–5, 2025, instead of October 20–22.

• The event will focus on intra-African trade, investment opportunities, and solutions to market access challenges under AfCFTA.

• Lomé was chosen as host city due to Togo’s strong role in implementing the continental free trade program.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat announced that the third edition of the Biashara Africa Forum, initially planned for October 20–22, will now be held from November 3–5 in Lomé.

The forum will gather public decision-makers and private operators to discuss intra-African trade and the implementation of AfCFTA. Organizers said this edition will emphasize identifying investment opportunities and addressing challenges related to market access across the continent.

SAVE THE DATE

BIASHARA AFRIKA 2025
? Lomé, Togo
? 3 – 5 November 2025

Join us in shaping the future of trade and integration under the AfCFTA at the continent’s leading platform for public-private sector engagement.

Stay tuned for more details.#BA2025… pic.twitter.com/FjxyF2WVzy

— AfCFTA Secretariat Official (@AfCFTA) October 1, 2025

Participants will also receive commercial intelligence, market access data, and regulatory guidance. These tools aim to help businesses make strategic decisions when entering new markets and ensure smoother, rules-compliant trade under AfCFTA.

AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene said Lomé was chosen to host the 2025 edition because of Togo’s active involvement in implementing the continental free trade program.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• NSCT signed agreements with three technical and agricultural training centers to strengthen youth employability in Togo’s cotton industry.

• The deal includes internship facilitation and gradual integration of students into cotton-related jobs.

• NSCT aims to align academic training with labor market needs while contributing to national development.

The Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT) signed a partnership on September 30 in Lomé with three institutions: the Technical and Vocational High School of Atakpamé (LETP), the Industrial Professions Training Center (CFMI), and the National Agricultural Training Institute (INFA) of Tové.

The agreement seeks to facilitate student internships and progressively integrate them into cotton sector jobs. NSCT said the initiative reflects its goal of aligning academic training with real industry needs to better prepare youth for the labor market.

“Investing in youth means investing in our country’s prosperity. NSCT intends to play its full role by offering young people not only practical experience but also the confidence needed to become actors of national development,” said Martin Drevon, NSCT’s managing director.

Through this initiative, NSCT goes beyond its traditional role of supporting producers to boost cotton output. The company also positions itself as a key contributor to qualified workforce training and sustainable national development.

• Togo and Austria signed a memorandum of understanding in New York to regulate mobility and migration.

• The deal emphasizes youth employment and entrepreneurship within safe, regular migration frameworks.

• The agreement builds on Austria’s labor needs and its deepening ties with Togo, including its embassy opening in 2023.

Togo and Austria signed a memorandum of understanding last week in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly. Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey and Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger signed the accord.

“This memorandum formally demonstrates the shared commitment of Vienna and Lomé to promote Youth employment and entrepreneurship within the framework of safe and regular migration.” Dussey said.

I had the great pleasure of signing, with my #Austrian counterpart H.E. Beate Meinl-Reisinger @BMeinl Federal Minister of European and International Affairs, a MOU between our two countries on development, #mobility and #migration.
This memorandum formally demonstrates the shared… pic.twitter.com/oX6mlP6XRP

— Robert Dussey (@rdussey) September 26, 2025

Officials have not disclosed detailed terms. However, the deal aims to structure mobility between the two countries, focusing on professional, academic, and circular migration. The partners intend to reduce irregular migration and improve security for migrant pathways.

The agreement comes as Austria seeks labor in specific sectors and works to diversify migration partnerships, especially in Africa. Togo, for its part, aims to expand opportunities for training and employment for its youth population.

The deal also reinforces relations between Lomé and Vienna. In October 2023, Austria opened an embassy in Togo, marking a milestone in bilateral cooperation.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• CHU-Campus Lomé has launched the elaboration of its 2026–2030 Hospital Establishment Project (PEH) to redefine its role and modernize infrastructure.
• Director-General Dr. Essotom Assina Kalao said the hospital faces capacity limits, stressing quality of care and maintenance of future equipment.
• The reform aligns with national hospital modernization efforts and complements two major investment projects in urgent care and rehabilitation.

The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Campus in Lomé launched on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the development of its Hospital Establishment Project (PEH) for 2026–2030. The initiative aims to redefine the positioning of Togo’s second-largest university hospital and modernize its facilities.

Founded in 1988 with 200 beds, CHU-Campus now employs over 540 staff but struggles with increasing demand linked to demographic and epidemiological transitions.

“Our capacities are exceeded. The quality of care is a strategic priority that must guide our actions,” said Director-General Dr. Essotom Assina Kalao. He emphasized the need to anticipate equipment maintenance to avoid rapid obsolescence.

The PEH will run for five years starting in 2026, with two interim evaluations. It forms part of a broader hospital reform strategy led by the Ministry of Health.

The reform overlaps with two ongoing projects. The Public Investment Project (PIP), launched in 2022, has strengthened hospital equipment and will add an emergency complex and new specialized services. The Ellipse Rehabilitation Project, scheduled for early 2026, will modernize buildings and install advanced equipment, including MRI, operating theaters, and nephrology services.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Trade Minister Rose Kayi Mivedor said local firms saw 40% average revenue growth over five years from the “Consume Local” initiative.
• She urged improvements in standards, pricing, and packaging to boost the competitiveness of Togolese products.
• Government agencies including HAUQE and the standards authority are mobilized to align products with international norms.

Rose Kayi Mivedor, Minister of Trade and Local Consumption, announced priorities for the sixth edition of the “Consume Local Month” in Togo. Speaking to journalists this week, she stressed the need to improve product quality, strengthen compliance with standards, and increase competitiveness of “Made in Togo” goods.

The minister highlighted a positive track record from the first five editions, noting that local companies participating recorded an average 40% growth in revenues. However, she said more must be done to scale up.

“The price-quality ratio is not always favorable to local products. We must strengthen quality infrastructure, enforce standards, and support businesses so their products meet consumer expectations,” she said.

The government has engaged several agencies to address these challenges, including the High Authority for Quality and Environment (HAUQE), the Togolese Standards Agency, and national laboratories. The objective is to provide consumers with products that meet international standards and can compete on regional markets.

Organizers of the sixth edition aim to emphasize the importance of transformation and industrial upgrading. The goal is to position local consumption as a tool of economic sovereignty. The official launch of the month-long initiative will take place on October 9.

• BCEAO launched the interoperable Instant Payments Platform (PI-PSI) on September 30, enabling 24/7 secure fund transfers across UEMOA countries.
• In Togo, Coris Bank, Ecobank, and Orabank are the first operational banks, with others set to join later.
• The platform, supported by the Gates Foundation and AfDB, aims to boost financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, and strengthen regional integration.

The West African States Central Bank (BCEAO) officially launched the interoperable Instant Payments Platform (PI-PSI) on September 30 in Dakar. Governor Jean-Claude Kassi-Brou presided over the event, which was broadcast to Lomé via videoconference. The launch marks a major step in modernizing digital payments across the eight UEMOA countries, including Togo.

The platform allows instant, irrevocable transfers between banks, microfinance institutions, e-money issuers, and payment service providers. Authorities said the system will cut transaction times and costs while promoting financial inclusion and encouraging electronic payments over cash.

Three Banks Operational in Togo

In Togo, Coris Bank, Ecobank, and Orabank currently operate on the platform, according to BCEAO. Additional institutions, including BOA, BIAT, Cofina, and Sunu Bank Togo, plan to join in the future.

Monetary authorities said the platform will strengthen competitiveness and regional integration. Guy Martial Awona, CEO of Orabank Togo and president of the UEMOA banking federation, called the launch a “decisive step toward an ecosystem where banks, microfinance institutions, and fintechs converge on a single infrastructure.”

Awona added the initiative will benefit Togolese consumers with faster, more accessible services tailored to the needs of a growing digital economy.

The platform’s implementation received financial backing from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the African Development Bank.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum