Togo scored above the regional average on human capital development, according to a World Bank Group report published on Feb. 12, 2026.

The report introduces the Human Capital Index Plus (HCI+), an expanded version of the existing measure. It tracks the accumulation of human capital from birth to age 65, combining health, education and employment indicators.

The index assesses the likelihood that children born today will become healthy, educated and productive adults. According to the World Bank, every 10-point increase could translate into roughly 10% higher future earnings.

Togo scored 136 out of a theoretical maximum of 325, above the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 127 and the low-income country average of 114.

Performance remains uneven. Education is the weakest component, with a score of 63, close to the regional average. Health and employment scored 38 and 35, respectively. The World Bank said there is scope for further gains, with room for improvement of nearly 189 points if targeted reforms are implemented.

The report also highlights a gender gap. The HCI+ stands at 128 for women, compared with 144 for men, suggesting women’s future earnings could be 16% lower. Closing that gap could lift the country’s overall score to 144 and strengthen its long-term economic outlook.

R.E.D

Togo's population reached 8.685 million on Jan. 1, 2026, according to new projections from the United Nations Population Division. The figures are based on results from the country’s fifth Population and Housing Census (RGPH-5), carried out with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

After incorporating detailed data from the 2022 census, the population was revised to 8.133 million in 2023. It then rose to 8.314 million in 2024 and 8.499 million in 2025. The 2026 total represents a net increase of approximately 186,000 people over one year.

That increase reflects the difference between recorded births and deaths over the period, plus net migration. Population growth remains driven primarily by natural increase.

Between 2023 and 2026, the cumulative rise exceeded 550,000 people. The average annual growth rate has remained steady at around 2.1% to 2.2%, broadly in line with regional norms.

A Steady Trend

In the near term, the trend appears almost linear, with the population expanding by roughly 180,000 to 190,000 people each year. The natural growth rate, while gradually declining over the long term, has remained relatively stable as a result of two parallel trends.

Fertility continues its slow decline. The fertility rate, which represents the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime if current patterns remained constant, is projected to fall from 4.19 children per woman in 2023 to around 4.01 in 2026. In 1960, the rate exceeded six children per woman.

The crude birth rate, which measures the number of births per 1,000 inhabitants per year, fell from 47.9 per thousand in 1960 to 32.6 per thousand in 2023 and is expected to reach approximately 31.2 per thousand in 2026. In practical terms, the country now records around 31 births per 1,000 inhabitants annually, compared with nearly 48 in the early 1960s.

Life expectancy has also continued to rise, reaching 63.3 years in 2026, up from 62.7 years in 2023 and just 43.5 years in 1960. Infant mortality is declining as well, projected to fall from 41.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023 to around 39.1 per thousand in 2026, compared with 134.3 per thousand in 1960. Life expectancy is now nearly 20 years higher than in the early 1960s, and the risk of death before age one has fallen by more than two-thirds over six decades.

These gains reflect ongoing improvements in sanitation and access to healthcare. They also suggest that a demographic transition is underway, even if it remains incomplete.

A Predominantly Young Population

The population structure remains defined by its youth. The median age stood at 18.1 years in 2023, meaning half the population was under 18.

At the same time, the share of those aged 15 to 64 is gradually expanding. It accounted for 54% in 2023, approximately 55.5% in 2026, and could approach 58% by 2030.

This shift points to a gradual expansion of the working-age population, a factor that could support economic growth if the labor market is able to absorb these new cohorts.

A Stable Medium-Term Outlook

Projections indicate the population should reach 9.459 million by 2030, with growth remaining steady and showing no marked acceleration.

For public authorities, these data represent a key planning tool, helping anticipate needs in education, healthcare and the broader economy, against the backdrop of a population that remains predominantly young.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Togo’s agricultural authorities have launched an initiative to update databases for five major crop value chains: pineapple, mango, corn, soybean and cassava.

A workshop was held in Lomé last week to review membership criteria for the professional groups within each value chain. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the Private Sector Competitiveness Support Program (ProComp).

The effort is part of a broader drive to improve the organization of agricultural value chains. It aims to strengthen food security, support the development of agro-industry and encourage job creation, particularly in the agroecological and organic segments.

Updating the databases is expected to enhance the identification of sector stakeholders, improve the effectiveness of interprofessional organizations and allow more precise coordination between public and private interventions. Authorities said the objective is to increase productivity, profitability and output across the targeted value chains, while reinforcing farmers’ market position.

In practical terms, the data collected will provide the basis for introducing agroecological, climate-smart and improved management practices. These measures are intended to raise yields and strengthen farm management. Partner organizations and institutions will also provide business support services to producers to facilitate their access to national, regional and international markets.

The process, scheduled to run through the end of April 2026, will unfold in three phases: reviewing and validating membership criteria for each professional group, training interprofessional technicians in registration methods, and registering stakeholders.

Through this initiative, public authorities aim to revitalize the targeted value chains and strengthen their internal organization, with the goal of sustainably improving working conditions and incomes for producers.

Esaïe Edoh

China strengthened its position as Togo’s top trading partner in the third quarter of 2025, with exports to the West African country totaling 114.8 billion CFA francs, or 25.8% of overall imports.

Data from the national statistics institute (INSEED) show that imports from China reached 158,700 tonnes during the quarter.

France ranked second, far behind, with 29.6 billion CFA francs, accounting for 6.6% of imports. India followed with 27.3 billion CFA francs, representing a 6.1% share.

Nigeria was the fourth-largest supplier, accounting for 5.3% of imports. Japan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia were also among the main partners, with shares of 3.9%, 3.7% and 3.7%, respectively.

The top ten suppliers accounted for 64% of total imports during the quarter.

Overall imports stood at 504.9 billion CFA francs, with volumes totaling 1.59 million tonnes. Year on year, imports rose 10.9% in value and 37.4% in volume. The country posted a trade deficit of 255.8 billion CFA francs.

Energy products were the largest import category. Petroleum oils and related preparations amounted to 89.9 billion CFA francs, or 17.6% of total imports. Other major categories included vehicles at 19.9 billion CFA francs, medicines at 18.0 billion, and refined palm oil at 16.1 billion.

Much of these goods are destined for re-export to other Gulf of Guinea and West African markets. The Port of Lomé serves as a key sub-regional hub for these trade flows.

Overall, Togo remains heavily reliant on Asian suppliers, notably China, India and Japan, while energy products dominate its import structure. Trade within the WAEMU bloc also continues to play a significant role in the country’s external commerce.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi