About 30 Togolese and Turkish entrepreneurs gathered in Lomé on May 27 for the Turkey-Togo Business Forum. The World Cooperation Industries Forum (WCI Forum) organized the event to boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

Business leaders from sectors like food processing, electrical appliances, construction, agriculture, textiles, industrial materials, and cosmetics discussed investment opportunities in Togo. They explored partnerships to support Togo’s economic diversification efforts.

The organizers aim for this forum to go beyond simple trade talks. They want it to become a strategic platform linking economic and political leaders. Their goal is to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen economic ties between Lomé and Ankara.

José Symenouh, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo), opened the forum by saying, “Our dynamic private sector, backed by a strategic vision, is ready to forge solid partnerships. Togo is a strategic hub, with a competitive Free Zone and an ever-improving business climate.”

The CCI-Togo highlighted Togo’s key advantages to Turkish partners. These include the Autonomous Port of Lomé, the only deep-water port in the region that can handle large vessels. They also pointed to Togo’s strong financial ecosystem, supported by major regional institutions like BOAD, BIDC, and the pan-African banking group Ecobank.

This Lomé forum follows an earlier economic meeting held in Aného in November 2024, where operators from both countries made initial contacts. These efforts aim to build a long-term trade relationship between Togo and Turkey.

Muteber Kılıç, Turkish ambassador to Togo, noted that trade between the two countries reached nearly $300 million in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh 

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Togolese government struck a new deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) following the second review of its economic program under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). 

After weeks of talks in Lomé and Washington, both sides reached a “staff-level” technical agreement. This deal clears the way for a $58.4 million disbursement (about 44 million Special Drawing Rights), pending final approval from the IMF Executive Board.

Strong Economic Fundamentals

The IMF praised Togo’s economic progress. The country grew by an estimated 5.3% in 2024, led by strong gains in agriculture and services. Inflation dropped sharply to 2.6% in April 2025, down from a post-pandemic high above 7%.

However, the IMF flagged one issue: Togo missed a fiscal performance target. The government explained that unexpected public spending on flood relief and fertilizer subsidies widened the budget deficit and increased debt faster than planned.

Structural Reforms and Governance Improvements Gain Praise

Despite fiscal challenges, the IMF recognized Togo’s progress on reforms. The government improved risk assessment in the state budget and recapitalized the last public bank, bringing it into compliance with WAEMU banking regulations.

On the governance front, the government committed to revising public procurement laws, requiring the disclosure of ultimate beneficiaries in public contracts, and launching a governance diagnostic with the IMF. According to the institution, this process is underway, and results will be made public.

The ECF program totals $390 million over three years. It aims to restore debt sustainability and boost the state’s ability to support inclusive growth. The IMF and Togo are now preparing for the third review, planned for the second half of 2025.

Fiacre E. Kakpo

Togo produced 60,403 tonnes of seed cotton during the 2024-2025 season, down 9.8% from 67,000 tonnes in the previous season. The recent output was also 8.4% shorter than the initial forecast of 66,000 tonnes. The figures were disclosed by the Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT) during the sector’s national review meeting in Kara on May 28, 2025.

Industry insiders attribute the drop to irregular rainfall and other hazards in the cotton-growing zones.

Despite the setback, NSCT officials and producers say the numbers show “the resilience of the industry” amid ongoing challenges.

The drop adds pressure on Singapore’s Olam Group, which has controlled Togo’s cotton sector since 2020. Since Olam’s takeover, production has struggled to exceed 60,000 tonnes—except for a brief rebound to 67,000 tonnes in the 2023-2024 season.

During the Kara meeting, producers pledged to revive the sector. Among others, they aim to sow 110,000 hectares and produce 93,000 tonnes of seed cotton in the coming season.

To hit the targets, Lomé will keep incentive prices steady despite economic pressures. It fixed the purchase price of seed cotton at CFA300 per kilogram. It also maintained fertilizer prices (NPKSB and Urea) at CFA14,000 per bag. The NSCT explained, “This decision is aimed at relieving producers in the face of the general rise in input costs on the international market.”

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo postponed its municipal elections from July 10 to July 17, 2025. The Ministry of Territorial Administration announced the change on May 29, citing a presidential decree.

The delay, the Ministry explained, was requested by political parties, especially the opposition. They wanted more time to prepare properly.

The Ministry had also extended the deadline for submitting candidacies. It moved from May 29 to midnight on June 1.

The new schedule changes advance voting for defense, security, and paramilitary forces. They will vote on July 14, three days before the general population. This early vote lets them focus on maintaining order and securing the election day.

The electoral campaign will run from midnight on July 1, to 11:59 p.m. on July 15. This period allows parties, independent lists, and candidates to present their plans to voters nationwide.

In a second press release the same day, the Ministry clarified the number of municipal council seats. A May 21 decree had raised the total to 1,667 seats. The Ministry reverted it to the original 1,527 seats, following the 2018 legal provisions.

These municipal elections mark the second local vote since Togo reintroduced communes in 2019 as part of its decentralization efforts.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo secured $38.9 million from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to boost its agro-industrial transformation. Lomé signed two financing deals in this framework on May 28 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The funds include a $29 million grant from the Green Climate Fund and a $9.9 million loan from the AfDB.

The money will fund Special Agro-Industrial Transformation Zones (ZSTA), which will house climate-resilient agricultural infrastructure.

Commenting on the project, Essowè Georges Barcola, Minister of Economy, said: “This project embodies Togo’s commitment to building sustainable, high-value agriculture while strengthening the resilience of small producers.”

Nnenna Nwabufo, AfDB Vice President, called this the first Green Climate Fund financing aimed at a ZSTA in Africa. She highlighted the focus on agroforestry, low-carbon irrigation, and early warning systems.

Facilities built under the program will cover roughly 10,000 hectares.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Mansoor Hamayun, co-founder of BBOXX, has joined Togo’s leadership team as an adviser to the President of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé. The Togolese Presidency announced Hamayun’s appointment on Friday, May 30, 2025, through an official press release.

Hamayun currently chairs Minexx, a company that builds sustainable and transparent supply chains for critical minerals. He brings deep experience in sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships to Togo’s ambitious agenda.

Hamayun’s track record on the African continent stands out. Before Minexx, he co-founded BBOXX, a company that brought renewable energy to rural, underserved communities. Under his leadership, BBOXX delivered electricity to millions across a dozen African countries, sparking local economic growth.

Hamayun has a reputation for forging innovative partnerships with African governments. He focuses on inclusive, sustainable policies that address real needs. Throughout his career, Hamayun raised over $200 million in development capital to fund large-scale projects.

Togo expects Hamayun’s expertise to accelerate its flagship initiatives and drive progress in key sectors.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo earned CFA122.8 billion from re-exporting petroleum products in 2023. The figure soared 64.6% compared to the previous year. The data, from BCEAO and INSEED, shows a sharp rise mainly through Togo’s port.

Gas oil re-exports exploded from CFA3.6 billion in 2022 to 54.4 billion in 2023—a staggering 1,400% jump.

Meanwhile, bitumen and motor oils dropped significantly. Jet fuel, once the top product, edged up 0.8% to CFA42.8 billion, mostly for ship and plane refueling.

During the period reviewed, Togo mostly shipped petroleum products to India, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Angola, and Gabon, according to the central bank. These exports helped Togo become a key trading partner for several West African countries, especially Gabon.

Despite growing competition from nearby ports, Lomé leverages its deepwater port and modern facilities to hold its place as a leading sub-regional logistics hub.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Egypt will take center stage as the guest of honour at the 4th Aného International History Festival (FIHA), set for November 20-23, 2025. The festival’s organizing committee, led by Alexis Aquereburu, mayor of the Lacs 1 commune, made the announcement last Saturday in Aného.

Egypt, known as the land of the Pharaohs, will send a large delegation to showcase its rich culture, history, and arts. The event, now a major crossroads for heritage and cultural exchange, will also welcome the Togolese town of Bassar as a guest of honour.

This year’s festival theme is “Diversity.” Organisers promise a packed program blending science, arts, culture, and economics. The schedule features scientific symposiums, debates, panel discussions, concerts, an international carnival, live shows, and local performances.

Florent Tiassou, FIHA’s general commissioner, said, “Tradition will be respected,” adding that the festival will offer content that is both intellectual and popular. He called Egypt the cradle of a civilisation dating back thousands of years and a symbol of cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity.

Egyptian ambassador to Togo, Ahmed Mohamed Eid, confirmed Egypt’s enthusiastic participation. “Egypt will be at home in Aného. Festival-goers will discover our dances, our flavours and our films,” he said. The Egyptian delegation will include dance troupes, chefs, entrepreneurs, and filmmakers.

Bassar was chosen for its cultural and linguistic wealth. The town is famous for blacksmithing, yam farming, and fire dancing, and represents Togo’s living heritage in all its diversity.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo conducted a comprehensive review of its national strategy for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement. Launched in 2019, the strategy ran through to 2024.

The technical committee overseeing the AfCFTA strategy met from May 28 to 30 in Kpalimé to evaluate the document. Their goal was to assess the full implementation of the five-year action plan and prepare for its upcoming revision, given recent developments.

The evaluation highlighted the strategy’s strengths and weaknesses amid intense regional competition and measured how well priority actions were executed. Participants also examined the coherence and synergy of sectoral activities under the AfCFTA framework, offering recommendations to improve effectiveness.

They identified challenges, opportunities, and emerging issues, including those related to additional protocols, operational tools, and regional and global dynamics.

The Ministry of Commerce led the initiative with support from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Adopted in 2019, Togo’s AfCFTA strategy targets key value chains such as agriculture, phosphate processing, oil production, and services including telecommunications, business services, finance, and tourism.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo sent a delegation of Ministry of Commerce officials and private sector leaders to Beijing last week. They attend an international seminar hosted by the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO).

The group studied 0China’s cross-border e-commerce success, aiming to strengthen Togo’s digital economy.

Kokou Ananze Oganto, who led the delegation, said: “We must build an inclusive and competitive digital economy.” He praised the strong partnership between Togo and China, which began in 1972 and was reinforced at the 2024 FOCAC summit.

The visit comes as Lomé and Beijing deepen cooperation. They focus on digital trade frameworks, SME inclusion, and learning from China’s marketplace models.

Besides the seminar, the delegation will join related activities organized by the Chinese Embassy in Togo and Togo’s Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts, and Local Consumption.