Togo First
Togo financial inclusion rate rises to 89.04% in 2024, ranks second in WAEMU
Togo’s financial inclusion rate rose to 89.04% in 2024 from 87.7%, according to a government statement issued after a Cabinet meeting on Feb. 19, 2026.
The increase reflects progress under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2021 to 2025, adopted in December 2021 to expand access to formal financial services, particularly for vulnerable groups.
The latest figure keeps Togo ranked second in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, or WAEMU.
“The results are significant: in 2024, the financial inclusion rate increased from 87.7% to 89.04%, placing Togo second in WAEMU,” the government said.
Financial inclusion refers to individuals’ and businesses’ access to affordable financial products and services, including payments, savings, credit and insurance, delivered responsibly and sustainably.
The government attributed much of the progress to the National Inclusive Finance Fund, known as the FNFI, which plays a central role in the country’s inclusion efforts. As of end-October 2025, the fund had disbursed more than 1.9 million loans totaling 116.59 billion CFA francs, primarily targeting women, youth and informal sector workers.
Over the past five years, inclusion has also been supported by the expansion of microfinance, the growth of mobile money and the digitalization of financial services. The number of accounts at microfinance institutions and payment service providers has increased, extending access to financial services in rural areas.
The government also approved a new 2026 to 2030 strategy, the creation of a fintech innovation bureau and a dedicated project for youth. The objective is to consolidate recent gains and improve service quality.
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Togo Signs New International Cocoa Agreement
Togo has become a signatory to the new International Cocoa Agreement (ICA 2026), signing the pact on Feb. 13, 2026, at the United Nations Cocoa Conference hosted by UNCTAD in Geneva.
It joins Nicaragua and Côte d’Ivoire among the first countries to sign. The agreement reshapes cooperation between cocoa-producing and consuming countries. It replaces the 2010 accord and moves away from fixed-term renewals, establishing an open-ended framework aimed at stabilising a sector prone to recurring structural imbalances.
The ICA 2026 sets out five priorities. Chief among them is securing a living income for producers — a longstanding demand from West African countries, which account for most global output.
The agreement also promotes local processing to boost value addition in producing countries, encourages new industrial uses for cocoa in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, calls for fewer barriers to investment and supports expanded trade in cocoa-derived products.
A new article dedicated to sustainability covers economic, environmental and social standards. As European Union deforestation rules tighten supply chain requirements, the provision signals stronger alignment with emerging regulatory norms.
Togo signed through its Coordination Committee for Coffee and Cocoa Sectors (CCFCC). By doing so, it aims to strengthen its voice in global cocoa governance, improve farmer incomes and attract investment into domestic processing.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Economy Expands 6.3% in Q3 2025, Driven by Industrial Sector
Togo's economy maintained strong growth in the third quarter of 2025, with real gross domestic product rising 6.3% year-on-year after a 7.1% increase in the second quarter, according to quarterly national accounts released by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED).
The data confirm the strength of activity recorded since the start of the year, against a regional backdrop of fiscal pressures and uncertain global conditions.
In nominal terms, GDP reached 1,840.6 billion CFA francs in the third quarter, up from 1,729.2 billion a year earlier. Over the first nine months of 2025, cumulative output totaled 4,876.1 billion CFA francs, compared with 4,586.1 billion over the same period in 2024.
Beyond a simple price effect, this trend primarily reflects an increase in production volumes and sustained momentum in domestic demand.
The Secondary Sector Leading the Way
Industry was the main engine of expansion, with gross value added in the secondary sector rising 9.1%, INSEED said. The extractive sector grew 16.6%, while construction expanded 22.9%. Some manufacturing segments recorded even stronger gains, with textiles and apparel up 43% and construction materials increasing 56.5%.
The primary sector grew 4.0%, supported by a 4.7% rise in agricultural, livestock and forestry activities. The tertiary sector advanced 4.9%, led by information and communication at 15.3%, transport and storage at 18.6%, and health and social services at 31.2%.
Other indicators reinforced the trend. The industrial production index rose approximately 11% over the first 10 months of the year. Revenue indices increased 19.1% in trade, 14.8% in construction and 5.9% in non-financial market services.
INSEED has published quarterly national accounts since 2022 to strengthen economic monitoring and improve the management of economic policy. Fourth-quarter data are expected in the coming weeks and should provide a preliminary picture of annual GDP for 2025, INSEED teams said.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo Introduces Data Rollover and New Billing Rules for Mobile Users
Togo’s telecommunications regulator has introduced new billing rules for the country’s two mobile operators, Yas Togo and Moov Africa Togo, covering data rollover, billing transparency and SIM card validity.
The Autorité de régulation des communications électroniques et des postes (ARCEP) said on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, that consumers will now be able to carry over unused voice and data from expired plans. A 10-day grace period applies to plans valid for 10 days or less, while a 30-day period applies to longer plans. Unused balances can be reclaimed only if customers subscribe again to the same plan.
ARCEP also requires operators to bill mobile internet usage exclusively in bytes, the smallest standard unit of data measurement. “This ensures that usage matches billing precisely,” the regulator said.
The validity period for inactive SIM cards has been extended from three months to six months. ARCEP added that remaining airtime on the main account will not expire as long as the SIM card remains active.
The regulator said the rules were adopted in consultation with both operators and consumer groups, including the Ligue des consommateurs du Togo (LCT), the Association Togolaise des Consommateurs (ATC) and the Mouvement Martin Luther King (MMLK).
The move brings Togo in line with Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, which have already regulated mobile plan validity periods. Togo is also the only country in the sub-region to mandate billing strictly in bytes.
Esaïe Edoh
EU-Funded DEFEND Security Program Concludes in Togo After Four Years
A European Union-funded security program in Togo officially concluded on Feb. 17, 2026, after a closing ceremony held at the Peacekeeping Operations Training Center. The session was chaired by Colonel Amana Kodjo, Director General of the National Gendarmerie, representing the Chief of Staff of the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT), in the presence of EU Ambassador Gwilym Jones and French Ambassador to Togo Augustin Favereau.
Launched as part of security cooperation between Lomé and Brussels, the program aimed to strengthen the FAT’s operational capabilities against threats in the country’s north and to reinforce ties between the military and local communities, according to the defense ministry.
The program delivered several specialized training courses, including instruction on countering improvised explosive devices, covering detection, neutralization and equipment maintenance. It also supplied protective and mobility equipment.
The support included the installation of gabions to secure military installations, the provision of sandbags and protective gear, as well as generators and tents to support deployments in remote areas. Specialized equipment such as explosive detectors and inspection tools was also handed over to Togolese forces.
Launched at the 2022 Accra Summit, the DEFEND program has a total budget of 5 million euros covering Togo and Ghana. Togo’s share was provided in the form of equipment and training rather than direct financial transfers.
The project concludes as Togo continues to face security challenges in its northern region bordering Burkina Faso. Since 2022, the Savanes region has been under a state of emergency, marked by armed incursions, sporadic attacks and civilian displacement.
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FAO backs Togo’s food security drive with CFA3.5 bln
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided 3.5 billion CFA francs to support food security initiatives in Togo, according to a recent assessment by the agency’s country office.
Over the past year, the funding supported smallholder farmers, restored agricultural land, trained beneficiaries and improved rural infrastructure. In 2025, more than 3,500 smallholder households received improved seeds, fertilizers and irrigation equipment.
The program also enabled the restoration of more than 1,700 hectares of agricultural land and the vaccination of more than 600,000 animals. The FAO office in Togo said it supported the construction of processing facilities, including a rice parboiling facility in Dankpen prefecture, as well as the drilling of boreholes.
In addition, 36,000 people received training in various areas, and several national and sectoral strategies related to agricultural value chains were developed.
FAO officials said the activities demonstrate the agency’s commitment to strengthening food security, supporting rural communities and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Togo.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Approves Draft Law Overhauling Microfinance Sector
Togolese adopted a draft law reforming the microfinance sector at a Cabinet meeting on Feb. 19, 2026. The bill implements a uniform law adopted by the West African Monetary Union (UMOA) in December 2023. It seeks to address weaknesses in governance, credit management and information systems.
The reform is expected to align Togo with the regional trend toward sector consolidation. The new framework is structured around licensing, governance, supervision and client protection. It strengthens requirements for internal controls, financial transparency and prudential discipline.
“The transposition of this uniform law will help consolidate financial stability, strengthen financial inclusion, improve user protection and ensure compliance with international microfinance standards,” the government said.
The reform introduces stricter governance standards, tighter oversight of executives and stronger supervisory and enforcement mechanisms. It also establishes client protection measures, including mediation mechanisms and stronger safeguards for depositors.
With 3.5 million clients, microfinance is a pillar of Togo’s economy. Outstanding deposits stood at nearly 404 billion CFA francs at end-2024. The sector comprises about 60 licensed institutions operating nationwide, helping fill gaps left by the traditional banking system.
This has helped boost financial inclusion. In 2024, the inclusion rate rose from 87.7% to 89.04%, making Togo the second-ranked country in UEMOA on this measure.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Creates National Geographic Institute to Modernize Mapping Capabilities
Togo’s government on Thursday established a National Geographic Institute (IGNT) through a decree approved at a Council of Ministers meeting, transforming the existing Directorate-General of Geographic Information into an autonomous agency with administrative and financial independence.
The reform aims to address structural bottlenecks that have hindered the production of reliable data. “The production of reliable data remains hampered by the technical and institutional limitations of the current framework,” the Council said in a statement.
The new institute is expected to help the country keep pace with advances in cartographic technology and evolving sector standards.
It will coordinate the collection and dissemination of geographic data, now considered critical for spatial planning, land administration and infrastructure development. The reform is also intended to strengthen operational efficiency and better align the institution with regional and international frameworks, according to the statement.
Economically, the government expects broader spillover effects. The institute is designed to provide a dedicated body capable of producing reliable data, supporting socioeconomic development through the modernization of geolocation, digitization and land management tools.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Hosts Inaugural Data Infrastructure for Development Conference
Togo held its first Data Infrastructure for Development (DID) conference on Thursday, bringing together government officials, researchers and international partners to discuss georeferenced infrastructure and geographic information systems (GIS).
Organized by Togo Data Lab, the event provided a platform to share best practices and build networks aimed at strengthening data infrastructure across West Africa.
Participants discussed how to integrate geospatial data into public policy. Togo Data Lab Director Togbé Agbagla said data infrastructure, particularly georeferenced systems, along with tools such as remote sensing, geospatial data and artificial intelligence, have become essential to delivering public services.
Togo Data Lab said it is ready to support government agencies in achieving their objectives. The conference showcased emerging use cases and institutional models for implementing geospatial infrastructure across Africa. It also highlighted how artificial intelligence and machine learning can improve geospatial analysis and support more informed decision-making.
With this inaugural conference, Togo Data Lab aims to position itself as a key contributor to strengthening the technical capacity of public administrations in GIS and data science.
“For some time, the government has begun shifting toward more intensive use of data in decision-making and public policy development. It was therefore important to reflect this shift by organizing this event,” Agbagla said.
The conference was held under the auspices of the Ministry of Public Service Efficiency and Digital Transformation, with support from the Center for Effective Global Action.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo ramps up post-COVID childhood vaccination drive
Togo is stepping up efforts to restore childhood vaccination coverage weakened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the “Big Catch-Up” initiative, implemented with support from UNICEF, more than 40,000 previously unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children have been reintegrated into routine immunization services, according to data recently released to the media.
Between 2020 and 2022, disruptions to health services left nearly 70,000 children without a single vaccine dose and more than 94,000 only partially vaccinated. The recovery plan targets 17 priority districts where most zero-dose and under-vaccinated children are concentrated, notably in Greater Lomé, Maritime, Plateaux and Kara.
The strategy combines community outreach, social marketing and strengthened accountability among health officials.
Authorities say initial results are promising. Between July and December 2025, coverage of the first dose of the pentavalent vaccine increased by 58 percentage points in the targeted districts.
The programme relies partly on 157 local committees responsible for raising awareness and identifying unvaccinated children, in an effort to restore public confidence in immunization.
Beyond the immediate vaccination campaign, authorities aim to secure long-term sustainability. That objective was central to discussions held earlier this week with media representatives and technical partners, focused on improving transparency and countering misinformation.
The programme’s long-term viability will depend largely on sustained community engagement, as international partners progressively scale back their support.
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