Togo First
Togo and World Bank Review $1.5 Billion Partnership in Abu Dhabi
- President Faure Gnassingbé and World Bank Vice President Ousmane Diagana reviewed the Togo–World Bank cooperation in Abu Dhabi on November 10.
- The Bank plans to mobilize over $1.5 billion for Togo between 2025 and 2029.
- Ongoing projects in energy, agriculture, and human development are progressing “very satisfactorily,” according to Diagana.
Togo’s President of the Council Faure Gnassingbé met on Monday, November 10, with Ousmane Diagana, Vice President for Western and Central Africa at the World Bank Group, in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Chad Trade and Investment Forum and focused on reviewing the current state of cooperation between Togo and the Bretton Woods institution.
Discussions centered on evaluating ongoing World Bank–financed projects in Togo. “Our discussions showed that the programs underway are progressing very satisfactorily,” Diagana said after the meeting.
The projects span key sectors of the Togolese economy, aiming to foster development, create jobs, and improve living conditions.
Among the flagship initiatives is Mission 300, a regional program designed to accelerate electrification across Africa and make energy access more reliable, affordable, and sustainable.
Togo, which targets universal access to electricity by 2030, already benefits from strong World Bank support in implementing its national electrification strategy.
The agricultural sector remains a major focus of the partnership. Togo is among the main beneficiaries of agricultural value chain strengthening programs, notably through the Togolese Agricultural Modernisation Programme (ProMAT).
ProMAT helps farmers increase productivity, improve crop value, enhance food security, and boost income both locally and through exports.
Beyond agriculture and energy, the World Bank also supports Togo in human capital development, including education, health, and social protection.
Under the 2025–2029 Country Partnership Framework, the institution plans to mobilize more than $1.5 billion to fund structural projects in priority areas such as agriculture, energy, and the development of secondary cities.
This renewed commitment reflects the World Bank’s growing confidence in Togo’s reform agenda and its progress toward sustainable, inclusive growth.
This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Ecobank Reaffirms Its Role in Togo’s Economic Development
- Ecobank CEO Jeremy Awori met with President Faure Gnassingbé in Abu Dhabi to discuss strengthening the bank’s role in Togo’s economic development.
- The Lomé-based pan-African lender plans to deepen support for financial inclusion, industrialization, and cross-border trade.
- Ecobank co-financed the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA) and promotes SME growth through the Ellevate by Ecobank program for women entrepreneurs.
Togo’s President of the Council Faure Gnassingbé and Jeremy Awori, CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), held talks on November 10 in Abu Dhabi to explore how the bank can expand its contribution to Togo’s economic development. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of the Chad Trade and Investment Forum.
Headquartered in Lomé, Ecobank is considered one of the key players supporting Togo’s economic transformation. Its strategy aligns with government priorities such as financial inclusion, industrialization, and regional trade integration.
The pan-African financial institution intends to intensify its activities in these areas to strengthen its impact on growth. “As a banker, I shared with the President our initiatives to support the growth of African countries and economies,” Awori said after the meeting.
En séjour à Abu Dhabi dans le cadre du Forum sur le commerce et l’investissement au Tchad, le Président du Conseil, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé s’est entretenu ce 10 novembre 2025 avec le Directeur général de l’Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Jérémy Awori.… pic.twitter.com/QbO229264Q
— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) November 11, 2025
Ecobank has been active in financing several strategic national projects, including the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA), a 400-hectare industrial zone developed alongside Afreximbank and BIA Togo.
The bank also backs small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through dedicated credit lines, with a special focus on women-led businesses under its Ellevate by Ecobank initiative.
In addition, Ecobank contributes to improving Togo’s business environment by digitizing banking services, which simplifies access to financial solutions for individuals and companies.
Present in 35 African countries and employing over 14,000 staff, Ecobank has maintained a strong presence in Togo’s financial landscape for four decades.
Over the past five years, its Togolese subsidiary has been named “Bank of the Year” by The Banker awards, reaffirming its market leadership and commitment to pan-African financial integration.
This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Cameroon’s Afriland First Holding Plans to Attract Investors to Togo
Afriland First Holding (AFH), the investment arm of Afriland First Group, plans to help attract investors to Togo. The announcement came from Group Chairman and Cameroonian entrepreneur Paul Kammogne Fokam after his meeting with President Faure Gnassingbé on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025, on the sidelines of the Trade and Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi.
“I believe that across sectors we can make progress by involving other partners, in line with the President’s vision and the population’s needs,” Fokam said after the discussions.
According to the Togolese Presidency, the initiative aligns with the government’s strategy to strengthen economic and financial partnerships with leading African banking groups in support of sustainable and inclusive growth.
New Investment Hub in West Africa
Afriland First Holding, which will soon be headquartered in Lomé, is expected to operate across West Africa. The company will focus on acquiring equity stakes in businesses and investment projects while providing consulting services in administration, accounting, business management, human resources, and technical operations, activities aimed at attracting more investors to Togo.
Registered with the Center for Enterprise Formalities (CFE) since September 2022 with capital of 100 million XOF, AFH will be Afriland First Group’s first subsidiary dedicated entirely to investment activities.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo’s Service Sector Expands to 61.9% of GDP, Among Highest in WAEMU
Togo’s service sector continues to strengthen its role in the national economy. Between 2022 and 2024, its contribution to GDP rose from 61.3% to 61.9%, confirming services as a key driver of growth in the West African nation. The figures were reported in the Central Bank of West African States’ (BCEAO) quarterly bulletin for the second quarter of 2025.
This growth in services coincided with a slight contraction in the primary sector, down from 18.7% to 18%, while the secondary sector remained stable at around 20%. As a result, the Togolese economy now relies mainly on trade, transport, telecommunications, and financial services. This reflects ongoing urbanization and digital transformation, particularly in Lomé and other major cities.
One of the Most Service-Oriented Economies in WAEMU
Togo has one of the most service-oriented economies in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). In 2024, the service sector accounted for 61.9% of GDP, compared with 58.4% in Benin, 55% in Burkina Faso, and 39.6% in Senegal. Only Côte d’Ivoire, at 62.3%, ranked slightly higher, consistent with its status as the Union’s leading service economy. The WAEMU average stood at 56.2%.
For example, Togo alone generated nearly 30% of all transport service revenues within the Union in 2024. The challenge now is to foster industrial and agricultural transformation to achieve more balanced and sustainable growth.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo’s Newly Elected Mayors to Take Office Starting November 12
Mayors and deputy mayors elected in Togo’s recent municipal elections will begin assuming office on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
According to the Ministry of Territorial Administration, handover ceremonies will be held across the country’s 117 municipalities from Nov. 12 to 15, under the supervision of local prefects.
This marks the official renewal of municipal leadership across the country. The newly elected officials will serve six-year terms, working with municipal councilors to drive local development. They are also expected to strengthen citizen participation and promote transparency in local governance.
This transfer of authority continues the decentralization process launched by the Togolese government to make local administration more accessible to citizens.
Launched with the 2019 municipal elections following a three-decade hiatus, the process reflects the authorities’ commitment to strengthening local democracy and promoting balanced regional development.
Esaïe Edoh
Entente Council Ministers Call for Sustainable Financing and Stronger Regional Governance
Representatives of the five member states of the Conseil de l'Entente (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Togo) met in Lomé late last week for the 23rd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers. The officials reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and exploring new funding mechanisms for joint projects.
Discussions, chaired by Togolese Foreign Minister Prof. Robert Dussey, focused on the 2024 annual performance report, the accounts for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, and the 2026 Annual Performance Project (PAP), budgeted at 7.7 billion XOF.
Facing a budget shortfall of 434 million XOF, the Council aims to mobilize both domestic and external financing to maintain progress on regional projects. Particular attention was given to reforming the Tranche Commune Entente (TCE), developed under a renewed partnership between the Council and member states’ national lotteries. The initiative seeks to secure alternative and sustainable funding for regional programs.
“This session represents an important step toward developing innovative financing mechanisms to strengthen the Council’s financial autonomy,” said Delegate Minister Adama Dosso.
The ministers also expressed solidarity with Burkina Faso and Niger, which continue to face terrorist threats, and called for sustained political dialogue to preserve stability and cohesion within the Entente region. The Council of the Entente was founded in 1959.
R.E.D
Togo Under Review as WAEMU Assesses Progress on 2025 Community Reforms
Technical sessions for the 11th Annual Review of WAEMU reforms and programs began in Lomé on Monday, Nov. 10, 2025. The review, which runs until Nov. 12, will assess Togo’s implementation of WAEMU community reforms for the 2025 fiscal year.
The review is part of WAEMU’s monitoring framework, designed to track how member states are applying the Union’s decisions and to identify ongoing challenges. It will focus on gathering concrete evidence of how community policies and projects are being implemented, to ensure transparent reporting to WAEMU’s governing bodies in 2026.
The review uses the evaluation framework adopted in Dakar earlier this year. The findings, to be summarized in a joint memorandum, will highlight Togo’s performance in implementing the 2025 reforms. The resulting recommendations will be sent to the relevant ministries to help address the challenges identified.
According to Alioune Sène, WAEMU’s Resident Representative in Togo, the country has consistently worked to meet its regional commitments. During the previous review, conducted in 2024, Togo recorded an average reform implementation rate of 77.89%, up from 76% in 2023.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo’s Chom Factory Opens Production Unit in Dakar
- Togolese SME Chom Factory inaugurated a new production site in Dakar, Senegal, marking its first regional expansion.
- The company invested 25 million CFA francs ($41,000), financed by founders, Senegalese partners, and the diaspora, with technical support from UNDP Togo.
- Chom Factory aims to reach 500 retail points by end-2026 and expand into Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire.
Togolese small and medium-sized enterprise Chom Factory, founded by Kossiwa Midjresso-Amouzou, has opened a new production facility in Dakar, Senegal, as part of its regional expansion strategy. The company specializes in processing cereals, tubers, and fruits into nutritious biscuits and snacks.
“We chose Senegal for its economic dynamism, stability, and mature entrepreneurial ecosystem,” said Midjresso-Amouzou. She added that Senegal’s young population and rising demand for local products create favorable conditions for innovation in the food industry and for proximity-based consumption.
The Dakar unit represents a key milestone for Chom Factory’s growth plan. The investment of about CFA25 million was financed through the company’s own funds, contributions from Senegalese associates, and support from the Togolese diaspora. The project also received technical backing from UNDP Togo, under its women’s entrepreneurship initiative aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.
Chom Factory is adapting its products to Senegalese tastes by incorporating locally sourced ingredients such as millet, hibiscus (bissap), and baobab powder. “Establishing local production allows us to meet consumer expectations quickly and maintain control over product quality,” Midjresso-Amouzou said.
The Senegalese site relies on partnerships with local actors including BIOSENE and Club Thiossane, enabling a monthly production capacity of five tons. The company plans to distribute its products across 500 retail outlets by the end of 2026, with future expansion targeted at Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire.
This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Maritime Region Adopts XOF4 Billion Roadmap to Spur Development
Togo’s Maritime Regional Council adopted a new development roadmap late last week, outlining key priorities and actions to boost the region’s growth between 2025 and 2027. The initiatives identified in the plan will require an estimated 4 billion XOF in total funding.
The strategy emphasizes the Maritime region’s economic and human potential while identifying the main challenges that need to be addressed to strengthen its competitiveness. The roadmap focuses on three priority areas: enhancing human capital and social inclusion, promoting entrepreneurship and economic activity, and improving infrastructure and living conditions.
Once implemented, the plan is expected to improve residents’ living standards through targeted measures in sectors such as water and sanitation, agriculture, crafts, and trade.
According to Taïrou Bagbiegue, Governor of the Maritime Region, the roadmap is designed to serve as a reference tool for local development. “It will act as a catalyst for change and a guide for public action in the region,” he said.
Meanwhile, a broader Regional Development Plan (PDR) is nearing completion. It is expected to better coordinate the initiatives stemming from the roadmap and define new structural projects to support the sustainable development of the Maritime region.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo, Algeria Step Up Efforts to Deepen Economic Ties
Togo and Algeria are preparing to strengthen economic cooperation, particularly in agribusiness, energy, logistics, and services. The initiative is being led by the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo) and the Algerian Employers’ Organization (OPA), which seek to build a structured partnership between the two countries’ private sectors.
Potential areas of collaboration were discussed at a meeting in Lomé last week between the two organizations. The Algerian delegation, headed by OPA President Sidi Saïd, met with CCI-Togo President José Kwassi Syemenouh to review investment conditions in Togo and the support mechanisms available to help foreign businesses establish and expand operations.
The two sides plan to leverage existing industrial zones, connect private sector actors, promote cross-investment, and create a more competitive business climate. These efforts are aimed at deepening trade and economic ties between Lomé and Algiers.
According to United Nations Comtrade data, trade between the two nations remains limited. In 2024, Togo’s exports to Algeria were valued at around $506,000, while imports from Algeria totaled nearly $2 million.
As part of ongoing efforts to boost bilateral relations, both governments began talks almost four years ago on lifting diplomatic and service visa requirements and establishing an Algerian-Togolese Business Council to encourage cross-border investment.
Esaïe Edoh