Togo disbursed more than CFA4 billion in loans between August 2024 and August 2025 to support grassroots development and expand financial inclusion. Nearly 40,000 loans were granted nationwide during the period, with amounts and volumes varying by region.

The Savanes region topped the list with 16,012 loans totaling CFA1.66 billion, accounting for more than 40% of the national portfolio. Authorities say the focus on this vulnerable region reflects the role of income-generating activities in building resilience.

The Maritime region followed with 9,785 loans worth CFA934.45 million, reflecting the concentration of demand in Lomé and surrounding areas. The Centrale region ranked third with 7,206 loans totaling CFA724.18 million, ahead of Kara (2,667 loans, CFA462.77 million) and Plateaux (3,472 loans, CFA281.89 million).

Beyond the regional distribution, the Ministry of Finance reported a repayment rate close to 95%, with digital loans expanding steadily. The next challenge will be to scale up support, close regional gaps by tailoring interventions to local needs, and extend financing to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises as well as young entrepreneurs.

• Maritime Region adopts $1.3M budget, 73% for investments.
• Funds target health, education, water, and sanitation.
• Savanes Region approved $1.4M plan earlier in August.

The Maritime Region Council in Togo has approved its inaugural budget for the 2025 fiscal year, allocating CFA810.96 million ($1.35 million) for social services and infrastructure development. The budget, validated during the council's third ordinary session, earmarks nearly three-quarters of its resources (73.15%) for investments, with the remaining 26.85% designated for operational expenses, signaling an acceleration of structural projects.

Health initiatives are a key priority, receiving an allocation of CFA85 million.. This funding will support the construction of a maternity ward at the Vogan polyclinic (36 million), the rehabilitation of the radiology department at Asahoun Hospital (13 million), and the renovation of the Afagnan maternity ward (36 million). Additionally, CFA65 million are set aside for the acquisition of an ambulance and technical equipment for the Tsévié Regional Hospital Center.

In the education sector, CFA50 million are dedicated to the construction and rehabilitation of school buildings, as well as the purchase of furniture to enhance student reception facilities. Access to water and sanitation services will benefit from a CFA160 million allocation, with 100 million for water supply projects and 60 million for sanitation works.

The budget also includes CFA37 million for administrative infrastructure and 55 million for the acquisition of transport and equipment materials.

Komla Edoh, President of the Council, stated that the budget aligns with national guidelines and aims to address the essential needs of the population, commending the collaborative spirit of the councilors.

In a related development, the Savanes Regional Council adopted its first budget in mid-August, totaling CFA840 million. This allocation primarily focuses on education, health, and agriculture, including the construction of maternity blocks in four prefectures, new school buildings for ten secondary establishments, and support for the cotton and food crop sectors.

• Togo is drafting 7th biodiversity report for 2021–2025.
• The process aligns with UN biodiversity convention goals.
• The country targets ecosystem restoration by 2050.

Togo has launched the preparation of its seventh national biodiversity report, which will assess conservation efforts from 2021 to 2025, the Environment and Forest Resources Ministry said.

The process, initiated on Aug. 29 in Lomé, is part of the country’s obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Member states must regularly submit national reports outlining progress, challenges, and corrective measures needed to align domestic policies with global biodiversity goals for 2030.

The report involves a broad range of stakeholders, including sectoral ministries, specialized agencies, and development partners. Moussa Samarou, head of the protected areas division, said the document will highlight Togo’s contribution to global conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, Togo aims to restore and protect terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems by 2050, while ensuring their sustainable use. The report is expected to serve as a policy guide and support greater international cooperation.

• Togo issued 39,142 loans worth CFA4.06B from Aug 2024–Aug 2025.
• Most funds backed income projects, SMEs and digital finance.
• Repayment rate hit 94.9%; govt eyes wider national coverage.

Togo’s financial inclusion sector extended more than CFA4 billion ($6.7 million) in credit over the past year, according to a report from the Ministry of Grassroots Development, Financial Inclusion, Youth and Youth Employment. The period from August 2024 to August 2025 saw 39,142 credits disbursed, totaling CFA4.066 billion.

A significant portion of these funds, CFA3.2 billion across 38,524 credits, was directed towards income-generating activities (IGAs). Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) received 618 financings, amounting to CFA857.5 million. The repayment rate for these credits stood at a robust 94.94%, indicating a healthy portfolio.

The expansion of digital finance was also notable, with 8,435 digital credits disbursed, totaling CFA422.6 million, benefiting households and micro-entrepreneurs.

Furthermore, the financial inclusion mechanism served as a social buffer. Following market fires in Agoè Assiyéyé and Kégué, 1,097 indemnified credits, totaling CFA212.8 million, were granted to affected individuals.

In parallel, the ministry emphasized financial literacy, providing training in management and taxation to 6,729 beneficiaries. Twelve monitoring missions were also conducted with financial service providers.

The government aims to further expand national coverage, having now reached 72.5% of previously underserved localities.

• Chinese construction materials giant Lesso plans to open a subsidiary in Togo.
• Talks with Togo’s Chamber of Commerce focused on partnerships with local firms.
• The move aims to boost the construction sector, create jobs, and expand logistics.

The Chinese group Lesso, a global leader in construction materials, is preparing to establish a subsidiary in Togo. The plan was discussed last week during a meeting between a company delegation and the Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo).

As part of this project, Lesso intends to partner with local construction and building materials distributors. The goal is to identify market needs in local manufacturing, tailored solutions, and logistics.

According to Winnie, the group’s Africa regional director and head of the delegation, the choice of Togo is tied to its strategic logistics position and ongoing economic reforms.

In Togo, Lesso could expand into plastic piping, construction materials, furniture, renewable energy, environmental protection, and logistics services.

Active across five continents with more than 30 production units, Lesso holds over 3,000 patents and has contributed to revising more than 120 industrial standards.

Its entry into Togo is expected to broaden the range of construction products available, stimulate the local building sector, create jobs for young people, and strengthen the country’s economic growth.

• $810,000 investment adds mobile eye and dental clinics to rural health services.
• Funded by IsDB with UNDP support under national health strengthening program.
• Initiative aligns with Togo’s National Health Development Plan to reduce disparities.

Togo has introduced two mobile clinics—one dedicated to ophthalmology and the other to dental health—to expand access to specialized care, particularly in rural areas.

The units, officially received in Lomé on August 27 by Health Minister Prof. Tchin Darré, are fully equipped to diagnose and treat eye and dental diseases, bringing services closer to communities far from hospitals.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to bringing quality healthcare closer to citizens, wherever they are,” Darré said at the launch.

Le Togo franchit une nouvelle étape dans le renforcement de son système de santé. Ce 27/08/2025, le Prof Tchin DARRE ministre de la santé, a réceptionné deux cliniques mobiles – ophtalmologique et bucco-dentaire, remises par Mme Binta Sanneh, Rep, Résidente du PNUD au Togo. pic.twitter.com/qHQigvXB9K

— Ministère en charge de la Santé Togo (@MSPS_Togo) August 27, 2025

The investment, valued at $810,082 (about CFA490 million), was financed by the Islamic Development Bank with operational support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Support Program for Strengthening Community Health Units (PARUSCT).

According to the minister, the project aligns with Togo’s National Health Development Plan (PNDS), which seeks to reduce healthcare disparities and promote equitable medical access nationwide.

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• Forum targets young entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, and investors.
• Program includes expert panels, skills workshops, and B2B sessions.
• Event highlights innovation and digital economy opportunities in West Africa.

Lomé will host the second edition of the Di-kéti entrepreneurship forum from September 1 to 3 at the International Conference Center (CICL), bringing together key players from Togo’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Organized by the Ministry of Grassroots Development, Financial Inclusion, Youth and Youth Employment, the event will focus on the challenges and opportunities of innovation and the digital economy.

The three-day program targets young project leaders, innovative start-ups, SMEs, support structures, investors, and technical partners.

Sessions will feature national and international experts, with panels addressing strategic issues for entrepreneurship in West Africa and workshops designed to strengthen the skills of young entrepreneurs.

B2B meetings will round out the agenda, aiming to spur new partnerships and business opportunities.

• Lomé hosts Maritimafrica Week on blue economy, Sept. 10–12.
• Forum to address maritime governance, port security, and digital transformation.
• Event underscores Togo’s deep-water port as regional logistics hub.

Lomé will host the second edition of Maritimafrica Week from September 10 to 12, gathering African and international stakeholders to discuss opportunities in the blue economy.

The forum, themed “A Bright Blue Future for Africa,” will take place at Hôtel Sarakawa and convene government officials, civil society, experts, companies, incubators, and global partners.

Discussions will cover maritime governance, port security, logistics efficiency, and the digital transformation of African ports. The program includes technical panels, exhibitions, B2B meetings, and site visits to Lomé’s autonomous port.

For Togo, home to West Africa’s only deep-water port, the event highlights its ambition to consolidate its role as a regional logistics hub. The opening conference will focus on governance and policy for an integrated African blue economy, followed by sessions on ecosystem protection, climate resilience, and digitalization of trade corridors.

The first Maritimafrica Week was held in Lomé in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum