Experts from Togo, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, and Mali are holding a meeting on timber trade regulation and the protection of endangered forest species. The workshop kicked off in Lomé, Togo’s capital, on Tuesday, May 13. 

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the Office de Développement et d'Exploitation des Forêts (ODEF) are behind the roundtable. Their goal is to improve the issuance of non-detriment findings (NDFs), a critical step for sustainable tropical timber exports.

Dr. Pyabalo Alaba, Managing Director of ODEF, stressed the importance of defining sustainability before exploitation. He said, "Before we start, we need to know what is sustainable to exploit. This workshop is crucial to harmonizing our practices." The ultimate objective is to balance trade with conservation.

Foli-Bazi Katari, Togo’s Minister for the Environment, opened the meeting and praised national achievements. He highlighted securing 14 protected areas, developing 171 community forests, and drafting a law on managing protected areas. These efforts aim to leverage conservation for local development.

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) has pumped CFA1,037.5 billion into Togo since 1976. The bank announced this milestone on April 27, 2025, as Togo marked its 65th year of independence.

BOAD says these investments show its long-term commitment to Togo, a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). The bank has funded projects in agriculture, energy, environment, roads, and public real estate.

BOAD includes these efforts in its broader plan to drive sustainable growth in all member countries. In early 2025, under the “Djoliba” strategic plan, BOAD gave Togo CFA40 billion to cover urgent energy costs, including unpaid electricity bills. The bank also provided CFA20 billion for building and running Lomé’s ministerial city, a project managed by Société de Construction de la Cité Ministérielle (SOCOCIM SAU).

BOAD, founded in 1973 and active since 1976, has become a key financial engine for WAEMU states. Over the years, the bank has expanded its mission to address climate resilience, social inclusion, and public investment governance.

This article was initially published in French byEsaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo will hold the 20th Lomé International Fair from November 28 to December 14, 2025. Organizers will stage the 6th “Made in Togo” Fair from August 1 to 10. Officials announced both dates on May 6 at the Togolese Center for Exhibitions and Fairs (CETEF).

This year, the Lomé Fair celebrates its 40th anniversary. The event started in 1985 as a biennial gathering, but was later made annual, becoming a leading economic event in the region. This year, organizers will modernize the fair with a digital platform, the e-FIL portal. The new tool will digitize all event procedures for both exhibitors and visitors.

Alexandre de Souza, CETEF’s managing director, said this digital shift marks a new era for the fair. He considers the fair a platform to showcase Togolese innovation and expertise.

Through e-FIL, exhibitors can book stands, visitors buy tickets, manage badges, and schedule business meetings. The system will serve both B2B and B2C needs. Organizers will also use automated matchmaking to boost business partnerships.

The fair will require secure online payments to cut fraud and improve logistics. This move fits Togo’s broader push for digital business practices. Authorities want to speed up post-pandemic recovery and transform the economy.

As reported by the organizers, the 19th edition of Lomé Fair drew a record 704,000 visitors in 2024. 

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo is ramping up efforts to deal with avian and swine flu. Last week, a training workshop with several animal health experts kicked off in Kpalimé. The workshop aims to help better prevent and control of avian and swine flu outbreaks in the country.

The FAO supports this effort through its ISAVET program to strengthen local veterinary systems. "Good management of animal crises at the grassroots level improves food security, stabilizes farmers' incomes, and prevents health risks for the entire population," noted Dr. Lamboni Matéyendou, Secretary-General of the Ministry in charge of Livestock. 

The training runs in two phases. First, participants complete a four-week theoretical course split into two sessions. Then, they undertake a three-month field internship. Mentors guide technicians as they apply their skills in their communities.

Diwa Oyetunde, FAO Togo program officer, said the goal is to build a national network of veterinary watchers that quickly detect and respond to outbreaks.

This training aligns with FAO’s broader ISAVET program. The program develops veterinary epidemiology skills to prevent, detect early, and respond to priority animal diseases across Africa and beyond.

Togo’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) announced that candidates must submit their applications for the July 10, 2025, municipal elections between May 20 and 29. Political parties, coalitions, and independent candidates can apply.

Applicants must be Togolese, at least 25 years old on submission day, enjoy full civil and political rights, and read, write, and speak the official language. They must have lived in Togo for at least six months and not be disqualified.

“Municipal councillors are elected by direct universal suffrage, using a blocked list system with proportional representation. Each list includes more candidates than the number of seats to be filled in the proportion of one quarter. Candidates are declared elected in the order in which they appear on the list,” explained CENI Chairman Dago Yabre.

Candidacy forms will be available starting May 12 at local electoral commission offices. CENI warned that it will reject incomplete applications automatically. Applicants will receive a provisional receipt upon registration. CENI will issue a final receipt to the lead candidate after deposit payment.

Authorities set the candidate deposit at CFA50,000 but halved it to CFA25,000 for women to encourage female participation.

Esaïe Edoh

The Ministry of the Environment launched a three-day technical meeting in Lomé on Monday, May 12, 2025. The meeting aims to build national capacities to mobilize climate financing. It forms part of the project supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The event gathered government officials, civil society members, technical and financial partners, and specialist consultants.

The meeting focuses on improving the quality of projects submitted to donors by making them more "bankable." Climate financing mechanisms require precise standards. Méry Yaou, Director of the Environment, emphasized, "Each mechanism has its own procedures. We need to master them to transform our ideas into solid projects in line with international requirements."

Togo is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under its Nationally Determined Contributions. However, authorities admit the country struggles to secure enough financial resources to implement priority actions in agriculture, forestry, industrial processes, water, and transport sectors.

Eya Kafui Ahawo, the project coordinator, said the initiative aims to equip local players with practical tools. These tools will help maximize their chances of securing funding and advancing Togo’s climate agenda. The focus will remain on priority sectors identified nationally.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) supports the meeting. Togo officially joined GGGI in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

More than half of Togolese, 54%, support joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) instead of remaining in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The conclusion comes from an Afrobarometer survey carried out last November. The survey, covering 1,200 people, aligns with Foreign Minister Robert Dussey’s early 2025 statement about Togo’s interest in joining AES.

Men favor joining AES more than women, with 57% versus 50%. Urban residents support AES membership at 59%, while only 49% of rural respondents agree. Support peaks in the Central region at 74%, followed by Lomé Commune at 64% and the Savanes region at 60%. Meanwhile, 36% want Togo to stay in ECOWAS, criticizing it as dominated by coup-born regimes that hinder West African integration.

In March 2025, Dussey publicly raised the possibility of joining AES, stirring debate among Togolese politicians and international observers.

This survey appears amid tense relations between AES and some ECOWAS members. Despite this, Togo strengthens economic ties with AES, notably by making Lomé’s port the main supply route for Burkina Faso and Niger.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

On May 9, 2025, Togo raised CFA22 billion through a public securities auction on the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) market, surpassing its CFA20 billion target. The Togolese Treasury issued fungible treasury bills (BAT) in a double tranche, attracting 28 investors who offered CFA60.3 billion. This resulted in a coverage rate of 301.51%, signaling strong demand for Togo’s short-term debt.

Investors subscribed CFA31 billion to the 182-day Treasury bills and CFA29.2 billion to the 364-day bills. The Treasury accepted CFA7 billion from the 182-day tranche and CFA15 billion from the 364-day tranche. With this operation, Togo has raised CFA187.5 billion on the regional market since the start of 2025, achieving over half of its annual CFA332 billion target.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum