A food security and resilience project in Togo has reached over 25,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries in the Kara and Savanes regions since its launch in 2022, according to the final program evaluation released Tuesday in Kara.

The assessment highlighted "encouraging" results for local agricultural resilience under the Inclusive Food Security and Resilience Project (SAIRT 1), implemented by INADES-Formation Togo.

Financed by German partners CBM and BMZ as part of the Support Program for the Development of Family Farming (PADAF), the project aimed specifically at improving food security for farmers with disabilities.

Of the nearly 4,000 direct beneficiaries recorded, more than 1,700 were people with disabilities. Including indirect recipients, the project covered close to 10% of the population in the targeted municipalities.

The evaluation also identified key achievements, limitations, and areas for improvement to enhance the sustainability of field operations.

Beneficiary communes, including Kozah 1 and 2, Assoli 1, Oti Sud 1, Oti 2, and Tandjouaré 1, praised the project's impact on agricultural diversification and the promotion of inclusive production, according to the state-run ATOP news agency.

Local authorities are now calling for the gains to be consolidated through stronger technical support and better institutional integration of community-based initiatives.

Cotton sector stakeholders in Togo are moving to revitalize the industry, which has struggled with years of lackluster production, by drafting a new five-year roadmap for 2025 to 2030 aimed at a sustainable national production recovery.

Producers, experts, and institutional representatives have been gathered in Kara since Tuesday, October 28, 2025, for a planning workshop organized by the Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT) and the Fédération nationale des groupements de producteurs de coton (FNGPC). The meeting seeks to define new strategies to re-engage farmers in a crop once known as the country’s “white gold.”

The discussions, which include international experts, are expected to identify key bottlenecks, establish a precise sector diagnosis, and propose concrete solutions to relaunch production. A central focus is on coordinating institutional, private, and producer groups to strengthen governance across the value chain.

The forthcoming roadmap will serve as the strategic framework for the 2025-2030 period, detailing priority actions, clarifying the responsibilities of each stakeholder, and establishing a monitoring and evaluation mechanism. Participants are working in sub-groups on critical themes, including farmer re-mobilization, climate change resistant productivity, logistics and ginning, and sector commercialization and financing.

Based on projections discussed during the meeting, the effective implementation of the plan aims to achieve an annual seed cotton production of between 150,000 and 200,000 tons by 2030.

The initiative comes as the sector faces continued challenges since the Singapore-based Olam group took control in 2020. Since then, national output has struggled to surpass the 60,000-tonne mark, with the exception of the 2023-2024 campaign, which saw a modest rebound to 67,000 tons. Production for the most recent 2024-2025 season fell to 60,403 tons, missing initial forecasts by 8.4%.

For the upcoming 2025-2026 season, cotton growers have set an ambitious target of 92,500 tons, representing an increase of over 50% from the previous harvest. The new roadmap is designed to make this significant challenge achievable through the mobilization of all stakeholders and better support for farmers.

Esaïe Edoh

Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the pan-African banking group headquartered in Lomé, reported strong results for the third quarter of 2025, driven by revenue growth across all business segments.

The bank's net profit for the nine months ended September reached $460.6 million, marking a 34% increase year-on-year. Pre-tax profit rose by 33% to $656.6 million.

Net banking income, or revenue, hit $1.75 billion, an 18% jump from the $1.48 billion recorded during the same period in 2024. Management attributed the strong performance to the success of its "growth, transformation, and returns-focused strategy."

The Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) division saw revenue climb 18%, buoyed by what the bank described as improved origination discipline and account management. The Retail and SME Bank division grew by 13%, supported by an expanding customer base and higher deposits.

Total customer deposits increased 23% to $24.1 billion, while loans rose 17% to $11.3 billion. Consequently, the bank's total assets expanded by 22% year-on-year to $32.4 billion, with shareholders' equity surging 54% to $2.49 billion.

However, the bank's profitability momentum was tempered by a significant 38% rise in the cost of risk, which reached $254.7 million. This increase signals greater exposure to credit risk amid stressed credit markets across Africa.

The financial report did not provide a detailed breakdown of regional performance, notably in the key markets of Nigeria and Ghana, which are frequently affected by currency volatility.

Despite the lack of regional detail and the higher cost of risk, the Ecobank Group, which operates in 35 African markets, said its financial strength remains robust, underpinned by revenue diversification and ongoing modernization of its digital services.

R.E.D

Togo’s National Assembly swore in 14 new lawmakers on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, in a plenary session. The Constitutional Court appointed them to replace legislators who left their seats after taking up government or administrative positions, or who resigned voluntarily.

A court ruling on Oct. 25 confirmed that several prominent political figures had resigned their parliamentary seats. Among them were Kodjo Adédzé, the former Speaker and current Minister of Territorial Development; Yawa Djigbodi Tsègan, now Commissioner General of the Togo Revenue Office (OTR); Dodzi Kokoroko, Minister of Environment; and Atcha-Dédji Affoh, Governor of the Savanes Region.

The new members were officially sworn in during the session.

On the same day, lawmakers unanimously elected Professor Komi Sélom Klassou as Speaker of the National Assembly. He succeeds Kodjo Adédzé as head of the lower house, which became bicameral following Togo’s transition to the Fifth Republic.

R.E.D

Togo is setting up a system to link the different branches of its education sector, making it easier for students to move between them and ensuring a more consistent national training framework.

The reform, announced by the Ministry of Education, was detailed in a decree published in the official gazette on Oct. 23, 2025, as part of the implementation of the country’s Education Sector Plan. The decree establishes an integrated framework allowing students, apprentices, and vocational trainees to move freely between general, technical, vocational, and higher education, based on their acquired skills, whether from formal schooling, non-formal training, or professional experience.

It also standardizes requirements for qualifications ranging from the Initial Certificate of Apprenticeship (CIFA) to the Professional Baccalaureate. Assessments will now be competency-based, combining continuous evaluation (60%) with a final examination (40%), and industry professionals will join the examination boards.

Two new bodies, the Bridge Steering Committee (CPP) and the Inter-Ministerial Bridge Committee (CIP), will oversee the system’s implementation, ensuring consistency and quality across training programs.

A one-year pilot phase will precede the nationwide rollout. The framework also includes incentives for companies that offer training and targeted support for vulnerable groups.

R.E.D

In Lomé, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) gathered more than 100 religious leaders of various faiths on October 28–29, 2025, for a seminar focused on their role in preventing money laundering and terrorism financing (AML/CFT). The event, held at the Hotel Sancta Maria, is part of GIABA’s regional community awareness strategy led from its Dakar headquarters.

Faith as a moral barrier against financial crime

In a message delivered on his behalf by Timothy Melaye, Senior Communications Officer, GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. said that religion “can and should be a force for unity and resilience,” but warned that it can also be exploited by criminal networks. He stressed the need for active cooperation between public institutions and religious authorities to “strengthen collective vigilance” against money laundering, terrorism financing, and extremist propaganda.

According to GIABA, religious organizations play a key role in social cohesion and preventing violent extremism. Their sermons, charitable activities, and proximity to communities make them essential partners in awareness efforts, but also expose them to risks of misuse. “Charitable funds can be diverted, and humanitarian associations can, sometimes unknowingly, serve as channels for illicit financing,” the official warned.

Togo strengthens its oversight

Opening the seminar, Koudjoou Esso, representing Minister of Territorial Administration Colonel Hodabalo Awaté, commended GIABA’s initiative and reaffirmed Togo’s commitment to fighting illicit financial flows. He noted that “terrorism and organized crime often hide behind legitimate activities” and that places of worship and charitable organizations must remain “havens of peace, not conduits for opaque financial flows.”

He also referred to President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé’s call for a “comprehensive and coordinated approach” to counterterrorism, highlighting recent regional peace and security forums held in Lomé.

Religious leaders called to action

Tchaa Bignossi Aquiteme, president of Togo’s Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF-Togo) and GIABA’s national correspondent, said the meeting aimed to “build a bridge of trust between authorities and spiritual leaders.” He urged participants to “intensify awareness within their communities” and promote financial transparency in their institutions.

The discussions covered red flags of money laundering, reporting mechanisms, and good governance practices within religious organizations.

From its base in Togo, Gozem continues to expand its footprint in West Africa’s tech landscape. In seven years, the startup has generated more than $90 million (about CFA55 billion) in earnings for 40,000 driver-partners, referred to as its “champions,” who contribute to the company’s growth model.

In parallel, over 7,000 vehicles have been financed for a total of $20 million (about CFA12 billion). These figures, disclosed by Group Director Jean-Martial Moulaud during the inauguration of Gozem’s new offices in Lomé, reflect the company’s scale and its economic impact.

Founded in 2018 as a simple motorcycle taxi booking app, Gozem has since evolved into a digital ecosystem that integrates mobility, e-commerce, and financial services.

The company first expanded across several Togolese cities—Kara, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Aného, Tsévié, and Sokodé—before reaching other West and Central African markets. Backed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) funding in 2022, Gozem strengthened its growth strategy through the acquisition of two startups, one in Togo and another in Benin, to deepen its presence in e-commerce and digital payments.

“These results show that our vision of building a complete digital ecosystem serving people and partners is taking shape. With our new offices, we aim to provide a modern workspace that fosters innovation and attracts top talent to continue growing from Togo,” said Jean-Martial Moulaud, Gozem Group Director.

New headquarters to drive innovation

Togo now hosts Gozem’s regional headquarters, inaugurated on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the presence of Minister of Territorial Administration Hodabalo Awate and Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Abdul-Fahd Fofana.

The multi-story facility was designed to promote innovation, featuring a real-time vehicle monitoring center to optimize field operations. It also includes coworking spaces to encourage collaboration among teams and partners. The first two floors are reserved for startups seeking to join the Gozem ecosystem, providing a launchpad for emerging tech ventures.

“This headquarters symbolizes our commitment to our teams and our ambition to build a tech hub in Togo,” said Ange Amegnikpo, Managing Director of Gozem Togo.

The initiative comes as Togo’s startup ecosystem grows rapidly in mobility, fintech, e-commerce, agritech, and digital technology. The government aims to make the country a regional tech hub by improving access to funding for young enterprises.

Ecobank Togo and mobile money operator Mixx Togo have launched a new service, Mbanking, allowing customers to seamlessly transfer funds between their Ecobank accounts and Mixx wallets.

The service ,which also enables transfers from Mixx wallets to Ecobank accounts ,was officially unveiled on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, during a ceremony that brought together executives and clients of both companies at the headquarters of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) in Lomé.

The interoperability platform is already live and allows Ecobank customers and Mixx users to perform a range of transactions directly from their phones, with or without an internet connection. Available services include balance checks, transaction history, and mini-statements.

Customers can access these services through the “Banking Service” tab on the Mixx Togo Super App, via the Ecobank Mobile app, or by dialing 145613#. The new feature offers thousands of people a way to manage their finances without visiting a bank branch. A live demonstration at the launch showcased the system’s reliability and security.

Accessible from both smartphones and basic phones, Mbanking extends formal banking services to rural areas where traditional branches remain scarce.

“This partnership is a win-win that meets a real need ,making life easier for families, merchants, and small businesses,” said Estelle Fafa Akue-Komlan, General Manager of Ecobank Togo. “Mobile Money has become an everyday tool.”

“This new partnership with Ecobank was the missing link for the Mixx service,” said Catherine Savery, General Manager of Mixx Togo. “We already had similar partnerships with other banks, but Ecobank’s extensive network will give Mixx users greater access and opportunities.”

The Ecobank Group serves over 24 million customers across retail, commercial, and corporate banking in 35 African countries, according to the latest data. Jean-Claude Kponoume, Head of Monetics Products at YAS, said all transactions between Ecobank and Mixx will remain subject to Mixx’s transaction limits, depending on whether users hold standard or extended wallets.

S.A

Togo’s Ministry of Territorial Planning, Urban Development, and Housing has announced a new project to rehabilitate key road infrastructure in Lomé. The initiative begins with the upgrade of two major arteries totaling 10.2 km.

The sections concerned are the Carrefour Y–Adidogomé Massalassi–RN5 road (2 km) and the CEDEAO road (Grand Contournement–Entreprise de l’Union–RN5 Adidogomé section, 7.2 km) in the southwest of the capital. The detailed preliminary designs (APD) for these routes were provisionally approved during a technical workshop held last week in Lomé.

Once the final designs are validated, all technical data — including plans, measurements, cost estimates, and geotechnical, environmental, and social studies — will be finalized to launch the implementation phase.

According to the ministry, now headed by Kodjo Adédzé, the project aims to improve urban mobility, strengthen connectivity, reduce transport costs, enhance road safety, and stimulate economic development in the capital. It is part of the national effort to equip the country with modern infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development.