Togo First
Togo real estate, energy fair set for May 29-31 in Lomé
Togo's real estate and energy trade fair, Fest'Immo SolarDayz, will be held from May 29 to 31, 2026, at Centre des Expositions et Foires (CETEF Togo 2000) in Lomé. Organizers said on Tuesday the event will serve as a platform for real estate and energy stakeholders, industry partners and the public.
The fair began incorporating renewable energy last year alongside housing and will focus this year on the theme "Rethinking Housing in Togo." Organizers said the theme aims to promote solutions tailored to the country’s housing needs and energy transition challenges.
"The theme we are presenting today, rethinking housing, is not a slogan but a necessity," said Serge Adote, president of Synergie des acteurs des énergies renouvelables, a co-organizer. He called for greater integration of energy solutions into construction projects.
The three-day event will feature conferences, panel discussions and exhibitions, with a focus on housing finance, construction innovation and home ownership.
"The goal is to promote affordable housing suited to the population’s socioeconomic realities, encourage the use of local and sustainable materials, and integrate climate considerations into construction policies," said Chantal Boulenger, chairwoman of the organizing committee.
The event comes as Togo faces rapid urbanization and rising demand for housing. Challenges related to access to financing, infrastructure quality and construction sustainability persist, organizers said.
Organizers say these challenges require a shift in existing models. The fair aims to promote the use of renewable energy and local materials in real estate projects, while improving urban planning.
The previous edition drew more than 16,000 visitors and 43 exhibitors, reflecting growing interest in sustainable housing solutions. Adding an energy component, developed in partnership with SAER, expanded the fair’s scope.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo business owners, tax officials to discuss strained relationship at Lomé event
Business owners and tax officials are due to meet in Lomé on Thursday, April 2, to discuss the strained relationship between the private sector and the tax administration.
The event, scheduled at the Onomo Hotel from 7 p.m., will take place in what organizers describe as a deliberately plain-speaking format. It is led by Edem Adékunlé d’Almeida, a Franco-Togolese entrepreneur and founder of Africa Global Recycling (AGR).
At the center of the discussion is a question that reflects persistent tensions: whether the relationship between businesses and the tax authority resembles a partnership, a forced arrangement, or a dysfunctional dynamic. For many economic operators in Togo, the issue is concrete. They point to unclear procedures, what they see as arbitrary audit practices, and a lack of transparency that fuels distrust.
Togo has introduced several reforms in recent years to modernize its tax system. These include the digitization of tax filings, the rollout of electronic tax services, and revisions to the General Tax Code aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises. Incentive schemes now offer tax reductions of up to 40 percent over several years for qualifying investments.
Despite these measures, many businesses say the changes have yet to significantly improve their day-to-day interactions with the tax administration.
The meeting is part of the Afterwork d’Edem d’Almeida, a regular economic gathering in Lomé that brings together senior professionals to discuss issues affecting the private sector. The format is designed to encourage open exchanges rather than formal positioning.
Organizers say the event is intended to give business operators an opportunity to speak candidly about their experiences, while allowing tax officials to respond directly to concerns raised.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Lomé to host inaugural forum on agroecology and organic agriculture
Lomé will host the first edition of the National Forum on Agroecology and Organic Agriculture from April 7 to 9, 2026. The event aims to foster dialogue among public actors, producers, researchers and development partners on the transformation of agricultural systems.
The forum, supported by technical and financial partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the European Union (EU), will feature plenary sessions, workshops and exhibition areas. Discussions will focus on food system governance, market access and farm financing.
While agriculture remains a pillar of the Togolese economy, the sector faces several constraints, including soil degradation, climate variability and dependence on chemical inputs, which limit productivity and reduce farmers’ incomes.
The forum follows reforms undertaken since 2021, including the adoption of a national strategy on agroecology and organic agriculture. The aim is to promote production models that are more resilient and less dependent on imports.
Organizers say these approaches address both economic and environmental challenges. "The transformation of our agriculture is no longer an option, but a structural requirement," said Combé Selom Anani, president of the National Association for Organic Agriculture in Togo (ANA-BIO-Togo) and head of the forum’s organizing committee. He added that these practices make it possible "to improve productivity in a sustainable way, restore soil fertility and reduce dependence on imported inputs."
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo reviews Lomé drainage systems amid flood risks
Authorities in Lomé have stepped up inspections of the city’s drainage infrastructure after heavy rainfall overnight between March 28 and 29, 2026.
Séna Alipui, minister of state for water and sanitation, visited several sites to assess whether flood management systems can handle stormwater runoff.
The tour covered vulnerable areas including Nyékonakpoè beach, a discharge point into the sea, as well as flood-prone neighborhoods such as Boka. The minister also inspected several retention basins, including those in Todman, Awatamé, Agbalépédo and Tokointamé.
These installations are part of a public program aimed at reducing flood risk in the capital. They are increasingly strained by rapid urbanization and more intense rainfall.
At the sites, technical officials were urged to improve response times. “Ensure pumping starts early enough to prevent the basins from overflowing during heavy rains,” the minister said.
Beyond the assessment, the visit aimed to ensure existing installations are functioning properly and to speed up ongoing construction. The Triangle des Rails site, currently under construction, was a particular focus, with instructions to closely monitor progress and meet deadlines.
In southern Togo, these measures come as the 2026 rainy season, from March to July, is expected to bring above-normal rainfall between March and May, with a heightened risk of flooding in coastal urban areas, according to early forecasts. Authorities expect challenges including basin saturation, pressure on sanitation systems and potential risks to residents.
R.E.D
Togo begins validation of 2026-2030 transhumance management plan
Togo is set to adopt a new transhumance management plan to replace the current one. Togo is preparing to adopt a new transhumance management plan to replace the current one. The document, covering 2026-2030, was presented for approval in Lomé on Monday at a workshop attended by stakeholders from the livestock sector.
Several factors have driven the development of the new Transhumance Management Plan (PGT), including population growth, conflicts in the Sahel and the effects of climate change. These factors have in recent years heightened tensions between herders and farmers, officials said.
The document was presented to stakeholders to gather feedback and secure their backing for implementation. The plan is structured around several strategic priorities, translated into operational actions.
The workshop brought together representatives from the National Assembly, the Senate and relevant ministries, with the aim of incorporating their input into a consensus document.
For several years, the Togolese government has stepped up efforts to ensure the peaceful management of transhumance, with support from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
"We cannot do without transhumance, because food security — particularly the supply of meat and milk — depends on it. It is therefore essential to find a framework that ensures peaceful coexistence between pastoral and agricultural activities. Hence the need to bring stakeholders together to review and approve a management plan," said FAO Representative to Togo, Dr Diwa Oyetunde.
The animal resources and food sovereignty ministry said transhumance management was a priority, describing it as a driver of social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, particularly in rural areas.
The final document will serve as a reference framework for organizing pastoral movements, preventing conflicts and strengthening the security of rural communities.
The validation stage follows consultations held across the country, where stakeholders gave preliminary approval to the plan.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo names new heads of customs and tax at revenue authority
Tèï Konzi and Peter Dossou Kponor took office at the Office togolais des recettes (OTR) on Monday, March 30, 2026, after being appointed by presidential decree over the weekend.
Konzi becomes Commissioner of Customs and Indirect Taxes, while Kponor is appointed Commissioner of Taxes. They were sworn in during a ceremony led by Commissioner General Yawa Tségan.
The two officials replace Atta-Kakra Essien, who had held both positions concurrently. At the ceremony, they reaffirmed their commitment to continuing reforms to consolidate gains and improve tax administration performance. They are expected to focus in particular on revenue mobilization to support the national budget.
A senior customs inspector, Konzi has led several operational units within the Togolese customs administration. At the regional level, he served as ECOWAS Commissioner for Trade, Customs and Free Movement, based in Abuja. Prior to his appointment, he was minister-counselor at the Presidency, in charge of customs affairs.
Kponor, also a senior tax inspector, has held several senior roles within the tax administration, including Director of Regional Tax Operations, Director of Tax Audits, Director of Corruption Prevention and Control, and Technical Adviser to the OTR Commissioner of Taxes.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo holds workshop on gaps in academic governance
Togo’s Ministry of National Education held a workshop on best practices in academic governance on Monday in Lomé, urging private higher education institutions to improve the quality of their programs through stricter adherence to academic standards.
Authorities said private institutions play a key role in expanding access to higher education. However, they face challenges in meeting academic and administrative standards set by the ministry. This can affect the quality of instruction as well as the credibility and recognition of the degrees awarded.
The workshop identified several shortcomings in current academic practices. Participants also reviewed best practices in program structure and student pathways. Officials presented the curriculum harmonization process and its implementation, with the aim of developing recommendations to strengthen academic governance in the private sector.
Education Minister Mama Omorou said private institutions must meet existing requirements to ensure quality training. “The quality of higher education is non-negotiable. It underpins the credibility of our degrees, the employability of our graduates and, more broadly, the socio-economic development of our country,” he said.
Authorities added that private institutions remain key partners to the government in implementing national education policy and meeting growing demand for higher education.
Esaïe Edoh
Silina MRS wins excellence award at Togo health tech competition
Togo’s Silina MRS project won the excellence award at the “Challenge Tech Santé” competition, organized by the government with support from technical partners to promote the digital transformation of the national health system through local innovation.
Silina MRS won first prize among 10 finalists evaluated in the final round based on relevance, feasibility and impact. The project stood out with integrated software covering medical records, pharmacy management and billing, designed to operate without a stable internet connection. It received 15 million CFA francs.
Nova Health took second place with the Applied Research prize worth 10 million CFA francs, while Togohealth Innovators received the Best Pitch award valued at 5 million CFA francs. The public prize, worth 200,000 CFA francs, went to the Excelsis project.
For Cina Lawson, minister of digital transformation, the implications go beyond the competition. “Artificial intelligence seems like a complicated subject for many, but you have demonstrated the value of our work,” she said. She added that solutions must address real needs and “save lives.”
In addition to the financial awards, winners will receive a year of support to scale their projects. The aim is to turn these prototypes into operational tools adopted within public policy.
“The most important thing is to use the tools being developed and to encourage innovation,” said Aristide Gnassingbé, national coordinator for digital health, who also highlighted their role in disease prevention and health promotion.
Launched in November 2025, the competition attracted 124 teams with a total of 464 participants, all focused on using technology to address structural challenges in the health system, at a time when unequal access to care, overburdened facilities and a lack of reliable data remain major constraints.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo launches support program for 115 cooperatives with GIZ backing
Togo's Maison des Coopératives, with support from German development agency GIZ, has launched a call for expressions of interest to assist 115 groups and cooperatives operating in the artisanal and agri-food sectors. According to the call document reviewed by Togo First, applications are open until April 5, 2026.
The initiative is part of the ProEmploi+ project, which aims to promote employment among women and vulnerable groups.
Selected cooperatives, with priority given to women-led organizations or those including people with disabilities, will receive support to improve governance, as well as administrative and financial management, and overall economic performance. The program includes organizational assessments, targeted training sessions and field support to help organize operations and boost sustainable income generation.
The initiative comes as Togo's cooperative sector continues to face structural weaknesses, particularly in internal governance, access to financing and capacity building. Despite these challenges, cooperatives play a key role in economic inclusion, especially for women and vulnerable populations. The organizers say such support is essential to strengthen the sector’s foundations and improve its resilience.
The call also aligns with the United Nations-declared International Year of Cooperatives 2025 and aims to strengthen the organizational, technical and entrepreneurial capacities of participants over the long term. The objective is to position cooperatives as drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth in Togo.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo pushes reforms to improve microfinance loan recovery
Officials and industry stakeholders met in Lomé last week to discuss improving debt recovery at microfinance institutions. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Finance and Budget with the Professional Association of Decentralized Financial Systems (APSFD).
The meeting follows a deterioration in portfolio quality across the sector. According to ministry data, the portfolio at risk reached 6.7% in 2025, more than double the 3% regulatory threshold.
Participants examined challenges in debt collection and proposed measures to strengthen existing mechanisms while identifying new approaches.
A significant share of loans issued by microfinance institutions are not repaid on time, exposing them to losses. This also has wider economic consequences, including reduced access to credit for vulnerable populations, higher borrowing costs and potential strain on the financial system.
The government, which views microfinance as a key driver of financial inclusion, says addressing the issue is now a priority. The sector has grown significantly, with nearly 4.7 million members and an outstanding loan portfolio estimated at 352 billion CFA francs.
“Non-repayment of loans erodes equity, undermines the viability of institutions and limits their ability to finance new borrowers. It also affects the confidence of depositors and financial partners, putting the entire microfinance system at risk,” Finance and Budget Minister Georges Barcola said.
The government added it will support efforts to build a healthier, more inclusive and more resilient sector. Measures are being rolled out to help institutions comply with a new microfinance law recently adopted in Togo.
Esaïe Edoh