Togo First
Togo launches civil service recruitment drive for environment ministry, 400 positions open
The Togolese government has launched a civil service recruitment drive for the Ministry of Environment, Forest Resources, Coastal Protection and Climate Change, as part of broader efforts to strengthen public sector capacity.
According to a recently published joint ministerial decree, 400 positions are available, including 60 senior forestry technicians and 340 assistant forestry and water technicians.
The recruitment aims to support sustainable natural resource management and the implementation of environmental policies.
Applications will be accepted from March 30 to April 30, 2026, at gendarmerie offices in Lomé and in regional capitals. Written exams are scheduled for June 22, followed by physical fitness tests in July.
The process is open to all Togolese nationals who meet the eligibility criteria, including academic and physical requirements. Candidates are expected to possess technical skills in forestry, environmental management and natural resource management.
Regional cotton meeting in Lomé to address declining output, sector recovery
Lomé will host the 18th meeting of the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA) from April 14 to 18, 2026, as the sector continues to face persistent challenges across the continent.
Participants from eight West and Central African countries will attend, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire and Mali.
Researchers, farmers, cotton companies and technical partners will review the 2025-2026 season and identify measures to improve the sector.
Discussions will focus on productivity, competitiveness and resilience to climate constraints. Soil fertility, pest control and improved crop varieties are among the priorities.
The meeting comes amid declining output in Togo. Seed cotton production reached 60,403 metric tons in the 2024-2025 season, down from earlier levels, partly due to adverse weather conditions and rising input costs.
For several years, the sector has struggled to return to historic output levels, despite a brief rebound in 2023-2024.
In response, stakeholders have launched a recovery strategy. A roadmap for 2025-2030 is being developed, targeting production of 150,000 to 200,000 metric tons by 2030. The plan focuses on re-engaging farmers, improving yields and strengthening sector governance.
Sub-Saharan Africa produced about 1.5 million metric tons of cotton fiber in 2023-2024. The meeting’s conclusions are expected to help guide agricultural policies and strengthen coordination among producing countries.
PR-PICA is a West and Central African subregional organization focused on cotton research and development. It brings together cotton companies, researchers and farmers from eight countries to improve productivity and incomes through sustainable management.
R.E.D
Togo joins first wave of African buyers of Dangote refinery fuel
Togo is among the first African countries to receive refined petroleum products from Nigeria’s Dangote Oil Refinery, a privately owned facility expanding into regional markets since early 2026.
According to data reported by several media outlets, the refinery has exported 12 cargoes of refined products, totaling about 456,000 metric tons, to five African countries, including Togo. The shipments follow the facility reaching full production capacity, estimated at 650,000 barrels per day, in February 2026.
The development comes as several African countries face high import costs and supply risks, partly linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Africa imports most of its refined petroleum products, including gasoline and diesel, due to limited domestic refining capacity, despite being a major crude oil exporter. In West Africa, supplies have traditionally come from Europe, particularly the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp hub, as well as from Asia.
The Dangote refinery, which produces Euro 5-compliant fuels, is positioning itself as a major supplier across the subregion and could benefit from ongoing disruptions to global supply chains.
In Lomé, few details have emerged about these initial fuel purchases. The move reflects efforts to diversify import sources and secure supply. Proximity to Nigeria could also reduce logistics lead times and transportation costs.
Lomé’s port capacity for re-exports to other Gulf of Guinea countries also creates opportunities for Togo to play a role in the regional redistribution of petroleum products.
Over time, this shift could reshape energy supply flows across the continent, which has historically relied on imports from Europe.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo forecasts 6.5% growth in 2026 as Credit Council sets priorities
Togo’s National Credit Council (CNC) held its first regular meeting of 2026 on Monday in Lomé, bringing together key economic stakeholders to review the macroeconomic outlook and set priorities for the year.
The meeting forecasted economic growth of 6.5% in 2026, up from 6.2% in 2025, with inflation expected at 1.8%, compared with 0.4% a year earlier. The outlook comes amid renewed geopolitical tensions that could weigh on the economy.
Finance and Budget Minister Essowè Georges Barcola, who chairs the CNC, said rising hydrocarbon and agricultural input costs, disruptions to maritime and air logistics, and tightening liquidity on financial markets could pose risks.
“We anticipated these shocks rather than simply absorbing them. Faced with this uncertainty, the government remains committed to structural reforms to strengthen economic resilience,” Barcola said.
To support its growth target, the council identified several priorities, including expanding innovative financing tools for renewable energy projects and increasing funding for food and agriculture companies to boost domestic production and cut reliance on costly imports.
The CNC also highlighted the need to strengthen the financial system’s capacity to support growth. Financing for the agri-food sector will be a key focus, with the sector seen as central to boosting local production and improving food security.
Esaïe Edoh
U.N. mission assesses Togo’s counter-terrorism efforts
A United Nations Counter-Terrorism Committee mission began assessing Togo's efforts to combat terrorism and strengthen national security on Monday.
The assessment, which runs through March 31, will examine Togo’s progress, focusing on international cooperation and capacity-building. It is part of broader collaboration between the Togolese government and the U.N. system on peace, security and stability.
During the week-long mission, experts will review Togo’s national counter-terrorism mechanisms, identify ongoing challenges and issue recommendations to improve existing frameworks.
Discussions will cover key areas including criminal justice, counter-terrorism financing, border security, the prevention of violent extremism and the use of technology in security operations. Human rights and gender equality will also be addressed.
The mission comes as Togo faces a persistent terrorist threat in the Savanes region in the north. In response, the government has stepped up security and social measures. It has deployed defense and security forces under Operation Koundjoaré to contain incursions by armed groups.
“This visit is a valuable opportunity to share our experiences and identify ongoing challenges,” said Calixte Madjoulba, minister of Security and Civil Protection.
Through the assessment, Togolese authorities aim to strengthen their counter-terrorism response while deepening international cooperation to address a threat that is increasingly transnational.
Oman explores Togo opportunities amid Africa investment ambitions
Togo and Oman are set to deepen their economic partnership through investments in Lomé. A delegation of investors from the Sultanate of Oman is visiting the city to explore opportunities.
The delegation was received on Monday, March 23, 2026, by Arthur Trimua, minister responsible for investment promotion and economic sovereignty. Talks focused on several projects in sectors seen as key to supporting the country’s growth.
Potential areas include agriculture, energy, mining, infrastructure, and oil and gas. These sectors are among the priorities set by the government in its development strategy.
Following the initial meeting, the Omani delegation will continue its visit with technical sessions and exchanges with relevant institutions and ministries. The aim is to review the projects in detail and identify concrete partnership opportunities.
Oman’s economy relies heavily on hydrocarbons, particularly oil and gas, but is gradually shifting toward a more diversified model driven by industry, trade, tourism and new technologies. While its presence in Africa remains limited, a move into Togo could mark a significant step in expanding its investments on the continent, particularly in West Africa.
Esaïe Edoh
University of Lomé to Offer Master's in Public Procurement Engineering from 2026
The University of Lomé (UL) is launching a professional master’s degree in public procurement for the 2026-2027 academic year, including a specialization in public-private partnerships (PPP).
Open to holders of a bachelor’s degree in law, economics, management or finance, the program will train candidates to structure and oversee public projects, particularly those involving private-sector contracts.
The curriculum is organized around two specializations: public procurement and PPP. In the PPP track, students will be trained in contract management from award to implementation, covering legal, technical and financial aspects.
The program comes as Togo increasingly turns to public-private partnerships for infrastructure and public service projects. In recent years, the country has launched several initiatives to attract private investment, particularly in the energy, transport and public infrastructure sectors.
For UL, the program aims to meet growing demand for specialized expertise as structuring public projects becomes a growing economic priority.
Graduates can pursue roles including PPP legal counsel, auditor, project coordinator and public procurement consultant.
Applications close on April 3, 2026. The selection process includes a pre-screening phase and an individual interview.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
African health experts revise emergency maternal care guide in Lomé
Health professionals convened in Lomé on Monday to update a clinical guideline on emergency obstetric and neonatal care. The guide is a key tool aimed at improving care for mothers and newborns.
The initiative is led by the African Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SAGO) and seeks to bring medical practices in line with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
The guide, first issued in 2018, is being revised to incorporate new clinical approaches, particularly in the treatment of childbirth-related complications.
"This guide sets out emergency protocols for the care of mothers and newborns. The aim is to update it in line with WHO recommendations, incorporating new approaches, particularly in the treatment of postpartum hemorrhage," said Professor Khaled Neji, president of SAGO.
Participants are working to harmonise protocols and promote evidence-based practices, including new treatments and medical procedures. The goal is to strengthen the capacity of health workers and reduce obstetric risks.
"It is important that the 2018 guide be updated to reflect evidence-based recommendations, to improve care quality and save the lives of mothers and newborns," said Dr. Léopold Ouédraogo, WHO regional adviser.
Togolese authorities reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening maternal health systems. The updated version of the guide is expected to be validated in April 2026 in Abidjan, before being distributed to SAGO member countries.
R.E.D
Togo, World Bank begin talks on next phase of WACA+ coastal resilience strategy
Togo is accelerating preparations for the launch of the WACA+ regional program, which will succeed the WACA ResIP project before its closure at the end of December 2026. A World Bank mission held from March 17 to 19, 2026, began technical discussions on the design of the new phase.
The talks focused on defining strategic priorities, priority activities and the implementation framework.
Togolese authorities have also held consultations with technical and financial partners, including the French Development Agency (AFD) and Invest International, to align WACA+ with ongoing projects in the blue economy.
The WACA+ program, currently awaiting approval from the World Bank, covers seven West African countries along the Atlantic coast. It is intended to strengthen efforts against coastal erosion, flooding and ecosystem degradation, major challenges for coastal economies in the region.
In Togo, the WACA ResIP project, which is nearing completion, has already delivered coastal protection infrastructure along sections of the Lomé-Aného coastline, as well as ecosystem restoration work and community support measures.
These interventions have helped limit economic losses caused by erosion and protect inhabited areas. A roadmap developed after the mission is expected to set out operational priorities for the coming years.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Behind Togo's 0.4% Inflation: Cheaper Grain for the Rural Poor, Steeper Energy Bills for City Dwellers
Inflation is often reduced to a single number. For instance, in February 2026, it was 0.4% year-on-year in Togo. But behind that average lie very different realities, depending on whether households live in urban or rural areas and on their income level. Prices do not rise or fall at the same rate across all spending categories, and not all households spend their money the same way.
Two major trends emerge from February 2026 data published by the Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques et démographiques (INSEED). Food prices fell 0.9% year-on-year, driven by a sharp 17.8% decline in cereal prices. Energy, including electricity, gas and other fuels, rose 13% over the same period. These two trends do not affect all households equally.
Rural poor households: the biggest winners from falling cereal prices
In rural Togo, food accounts for a much larger share of household budgets than in urban areas. For the poorest households, whether rural or urban, food can make up more than half of daily spending. The 17.8% year-on-year drop in cereal prices therefore provides tangible relief. Corn, a staple in the north of the country, sells for 143 CFA francs per kilogram in Kara, compared with more than 230 CFA francs in Lomé. These households are also less dependent on the electricity grid and bottled gas, meaning the rise in energy costs affects them only marginally.
For a rural household living mainly on locally grown cereals and cooking with wood or charcoal, with charcoal prices rising just 3.2% over the month, inflation is likely negative. In other words, their real purchasing power has increased, even if their cash income has remained unchanged.
Urban low-income households: caught between two pressures
The situation is far more uncomfortable for low-income urban households, particularly in Lomé. They too benefit from lower cereal prices, but less so: white corn still costs 231 CFA francs per kilogram in Lomé, roughly 60% more than in the north. More importantly, they are far more exposed to rising energy costs. Connected to the CEET electricity grid, they face the full impact of the 13% year-on-year increase in electricity and fuel prices. Their housing costs incorporate rising energy charges.
These households are also more reliant on restaurants and street food vendors for their meals. The restaurants and accommodation services category, which accounts for 16.5% of the national consumption basket, rose 1% year-on-year. That category weighs even more heavily on low-income urban workers, who often lack the conditions to cook at home for every meal.
The urban middle class: energy becoming an increasingly heavy burden
For middle-class households in Lomé, including civil servants, private-sector employees and small business owners, the fall in food prices provides partial relief. But their consumption profile makes them particularly sensitive to rising energy costs. Air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, televisions and internet connections all lead to consistently higher electricity consumption. Electricity, gas and fuels rose 13% year-on-year.
The 2.2% year-on-year decline in information and communication prices offers some relief for this group, which is more widely equipped with smartphones and internet subscriptions. It does not, however, offset the pressure from energy costs.
Fiacre E. Kakpo