Last week, the Togolese Revenues Office (OTR) and the Togo Professional Union of Customs Agents  (UPRAD-Togo) held a workshop to streamline customs clearance at the Port of Lomé (PAL) and to strengthen public-private collaboration.

Discussions between OTR and UPRAD-Togo focused on optimizing procedures, simplifying formalities, and speeding up digitalization. This should contribute to the PAL’s ambition to reinforce its role as a sub-regional hub.

Both sides agreed to keep a steady technical dialogue. They plan to identify and remove logistical bottlenecks.

These talks match recent reforms initiated by the PAL. These include the Sydonia World IT system and the automated risk management system. The reforms have already cut customs clearance times and improved transparency.

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The Togolese Revenue Office (OTR) in Togo has launched a nationwide campaign to georeference land titles issued before 2007. The tax agency wants to secure land ownership by modernizing the national cadastral system. The move aims to align Togo’s land management with international standards.

The OTR urges holders of non-georeferenced land titles from before 2007 to contact cadastre and land conservation offices in Lomé or regional capitals. The agency invites owners to start the updating process. The cost for the operation stands at CFA35,000 per title.

Georeferencing attaches precise geographical coordinates to each land title. The process reduces boundary disputes and neighbor conflicts. It also increases legal certainty for landholders.

The OTR bases its strategy on digitizing the land register and centralizing land data. Since August 1, 2024, every parcel of land now carries a Unique Parcel Number (NUP). The system enables easier identification and traceability of land nationwide.

The OTR also introduced the Guichet Foncier Unique (single land office) (GFU). The GFU streamlines procedures, boosts transparency, and helps reduce land ownership disputes.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) approved a 2025 budget of CFA3.8 billion at its ordinary congress in Aného on May 23. The new budget tops last year’s CFA3.6 billion by 5.7%. Over two years, the FTF has lifted its budget by 18%—up from CFA 3.2 billion in 2023.

The FTF’s executive committee said the surge aims to bolster Togolese soccer. Other efforts planned to achieve this goal include: continuing the construction of the National Technical Center in Gbavé, laying artificial turf at its headquarters, and renovating regional league offices. 

The Federation will also fund national competitions—men’s first and second division championships, regional leagues, youth tournaments, and other soccer events. Player training and supervision stay high on the priority list.

FIFA will bankroll most of the budget—CFA2.7 billion comes from the global soccer body. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) chips in CFA300 million, and the Togolese government adds CFA270 million. Sponsors and competition revenues will cover the rest.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo increased its municipal council seats from 1,527 to 1,667, adding 140 new seats. The change takes effect for the local elections set for July 10.

The President of the Council approved this decision, following a proposal from the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Traditional Chieftaincy.
The move followed consultations within the Cadre Permanent de Concertation (CPC), a dialogue regrouping government and political actors.

Therefore, the Savanes region, with 16 communes, will have 244 municipal councillors. The Kara region, with 22 communes, will have 270 councillors. The Centrale region, with 15 communes, will elect 197 councillors. The Plateaux region, with 32 communes, will have 428 councillors. Additionally, the Maritime region, including 13 communes of Greater Lomé, holds the highest number with 528 councillors across 32 communes.

Despite the rise in councillors, the number of municipalities is the same: 117. Authorities say the revision answers political parties’ demands and shows the government’s commitment to making the electoral process more inclusive.

In line with this, the government also lowered the deposit fees for candidacies, again responding to political parties’ requests.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese Local Authority Support Fund (FACT) has distributed more than CFA41.8 billion over the past five years. According to a May 21 report, the Fund’s annual allocations rose steadily from CFA2.63 billion in 2020 to CFA9.5 billion in 2025, up by over 260%.

The FACT helps boost local governments’ capacity to address priority needs in areas like water, sanitation, education, and urban development.

The Fund operates under the joint supervision of the Ministries of Economy and Territorial Administration. It supports infrastructure projects and efforts to professionalize local administrations, promoting territorial equity and inclusive development.

“The FACT is a tool for raising the profile of government action at the local level,” said Dr. Siangou Koumtchane, Technical Secretary of FACT’s management commission. He called for increased media coverage of the projects financed by the fund.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Ministry of Higher Education of Togo announced on May 21 the opening of its scholarship program for final-year high school students interested in attending college in  Morocco.

The initiative, set up in partnership with the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), is part of ongoing bilateral educational cooperation between the two countries.

Eligible candidates must have achieved a “Bien” (Good) or higher grade in the first part of the Baccalauréat examination (BAC I) and be under 23 years old. The scholarships cover the 2025-2026 academic year and are available across all general education streams.

Interested applicants must apply no later than May 30, 2025, at 5 PM. Applications must be submitted to the Direction des bourses et stages (Directorate of Scholarships and Internships–DBS) in Lomé.

The program has been renewed regularly over several years. It aims to enhance national capacity by training talented students at Moroccan universities.

For more details, applicants are encouraged to consult the official announcement.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

A documentary film shot in Togo, The Soul of Africa, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2025, marking the West African nation’s first official participation in the prestigious event.

Directed by Egyptian-Senegalese filmmaker Gabriel Souleykan and co-produced with Acofin Productions, the film was screened at the festival’s Afriques Pavilion. It was filmed during the 10th Festival des Divinités Noires in Glidji and Aného, Togo, in January 2025.

The Soul of Africa explores pre-colonial African spiritual traditions, highlighting their resilience amid ongoing religious and cultural changes across the continent.

The screening preceded a roundtable focused on preserving Africa’s intangible cultural heritage. The Togolese delegation was led by King Ari Akouvi, King of the Kpessi.

The film’s appearance at Cannes showcased Togo’s natural landscapes and cultural richness. However, it also brought attention to challenges facing the country’s film industry, including financing and developing creative value chains necessary to expand its influence regionally and internationally.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

In Togo, the government has halved deposit fees for candidates in the upcoming local elections scheduled for July 10.

The country’s leader, Faure Gnassingbé, announced the reduction on May 21. Male candidates are now required to pay CFA25,000. Female candidates now pay half that amount–CFA12,500. Before the cut, they had to pay CFA50,000 and CFA25,000, respectively.

The Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Traditional Chieftaincy recommended the cut following consultations with various stakeholders under the Permanent Framework for Dialogue and Consultation (CPDC).

According to the authorities, the cut will boost the participation of women and young candidates, an underrepresented group in local government.

Political parties have also requested increasing public funding for election campaigns, currently set at CFA500 million, but the government has yet to respond.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho