President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo attended the Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda. The two-day summit, held on April 3 and 4, convenes political leaders, tech experts, and investors to discuss Africa’s role in the artificial intelligence (AI) economy.

The event’s theme was Artificial Intelligence and Africa's Demographic Dividend. It was co-organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the World Economic Forum (WEF). Discussions focused on how AI can transform employment, data governance, and entrepreneurship across the continent.

Togo’s participation signals its intent to leverage AI as a transformative tool. “The presence of the Head of State in Kigali reflects Togo's strong commitment to anticipating the future and fully integrating artificial intelligence into an inclusive, responsible approach geared towards youth employment,” the Togolese Ministry of Finance stated.

The country has already launched projects like Novissi, a pandemic-era program that used data to distribute targeted aid. Other initiatives include Data Lab, House of AI, and a national AI strategy nearing completion.

These efforts align with Togo’s ambition to become a sub-regional digital hub by fostering innovation and growing its digital economy.

On April 2, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a new wave of customs duties targeting imports from several African countries, including Togo. Togo will face a basic tariff of 10% on all its exports, effective on April 5, 2025.

This measure will particularly impact Togo's agricultural exports, such as coffee, cocoa, shea butter, and soya beans, which are crucial under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The increased tariffs could slow the growth of Togolese exports to the U.S. market, which have risen significantly from $20 million in 2021 to over $90 million in 2023 and $97 million in 2024, according to UN data.

Togo's textile industry, which recently began shipping garments to the U.S. from the Plateforme Industrielle d'Adétikopé (PIA), is also likely to be affected.

While Togo faces a 10% tariff, Lesotho is hit with a 50% rate, making it the worst-affected country on the continent.

This announcement comes as the future of AGOA remains uncertain, with its expiration set for September 2025. African countries are pushing for a 10-year extension, but Trump's tariffs could complicate this effort.

In response, Togo might strengthen ties with China, which has abolished customs duties on 98% of products from Togo and eight other African countries (Central African Republic, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Sudan) since September 2022.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo produced 2,515,000 tonnes of tubers in 2024, against 2,406,614 tonnes in 2023. The Ministry of Agriculture reported this data in the Citizens’ Budget, highlighting a steady upward trend since 2022, when production rose by 7.5% to 2,238,529 tonnes.

The Plateaux and Centrale regions produced the most, 768,864 tonnes and 519,708 tonnes, respectively.

The increased output coincides with Lomé’s 2024-2028 plan to develop the root and tuber sector. Under this plan, the government seeks to raise CFA2.34 billion to fund development actions.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Interprofessional Council for the Root and Tuber Plant Sector (CIFPRT) developed the four-year strategy. It was validated in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo’s first Senate concluded its inaugural session on 2 April 2025, by electing its officers. Barry Moussa Barqué, a prominent figure in Togolese politics, secured the position of president of the Senate for a six-year term.

Barqué will lead the bureau, which counts nine members. After yesterday’s session, senators adopted their rules of procedure, laying the groundwork for future legislative activities.

The 61 senators—41 elected and 20 appointed by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé—are holding their first ordinary session today, April 3.

The leadership team includes Barry Moussa Barqué as President; Mrs. Kouvahey Amoko Holadem as 1st Vice-Chairman; Diogo Koudjolou as 2nd Vice-Chairman; Olympio Adeblewo Kossi as 3rd Vice-Chairman; Mally Komlan as 1st Quaestor; Mrs. Banybah Afiwavi Vicenzia as 2nd Quaestor; Mrs. Abougnima K. Molgah as 1st Parliamentary Secretary; Tchassona Traoré Mouhamed as 2nd Parliamentary Secretary; and Amelete Bawoumondom as 3rd Parliamentary Secretary.

Lomé, the capital of Togo, will host the first Space Forum Africa from April 7 to 9. African Geospace and TRL Space are organizing this international event to promote space cooperation.

The forum will center discussions on climate regulation, smart agriculture, disaster prevention, and modernizing public policies through space technologies. Organizers aim to position Africa as a key player in global space governance, bringing together decision-makers, researchers, entrepreneurs, donors, and investors.

The event also seeks to build stronger partnerships between African nations and global stakeholders to establish a sovereign and sustainable space industry. Richard Folly, founder of African Geospace, views space as a powerful tool for Africa’s economic development. He believes hosting the forum in Lomé offers Togo a strategic opportunity for technological transformation.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo will revise its electoral roll for the 2025 municipal elections from April 7 to April 23. Authorities announced the operation on April 1 through a presidential decree outlining its terms.

During this period, citizens who have not registered can do so, especially those who recently turned 18. Voters who have changed residence or lost their voter registration cards can also update their information at designated centers.

The revision will follow the existing electoral division framework. Centers will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing voters to complete necessary procedures.

Ahead of the revision, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) trained personnel responsible for updating the electoral roll. In Lomé, 324 trainers prepared nearly 6,000 data entry operators for fieldwork.

This revision comes one year after the last electoral census in April 2024, conducted for legislative and regional elections. The CENI had registered over 4.2 million voters at the time.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in French by Ange Jason Quenum

Launched in 2020, Togo's Automated Marking System (SAM) has generated CFA35.8 billion in revenue for tax authorities. The technology combats fraud, secures consumer products, and optimizes tax collection. 

Over the past five years, SAM has tracked over 2 billion products and referenced more than 600 economic operators, as revealed at a national workshop in Lomé.

The SAM targets products like water, beer, juice, wine, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages. The beer sector alone contributed CFA5 billion between 2022 and 2024, noted Esso-Wavana Adoyi, chairman of the product marking committee.

What's Next?

Building on the tool’s success, authorities are expanding product marking to include sugar, oils, cement, fuel, cosmetics, fertilizers, and minerals. The goal is to enhance traceability, combat counterfeiting, and improve the business climate.

Akou Mawussé Adétou Afidenyigba, Director of Cabinet at the Ministry of the Economy, emphasized that the SAM aligns with the government's 2020-2025 economic modernization roadmap. The next step involves intensifying controls and inspections to address current gaps in Togo.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded its mission to Lomé on Friday, March 28, 2025, as part of the second review of Togo’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme. The IMF announced that discussions will resume this month, during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington.

Hans Weisfeld led the mission, which assessed macroeconomic developments in Togo since the first programme review completed in December 2024. The ECF programme, approved in March 2024, provides $390 million in concessional financial support. Upon approval, the IMF disbursed $68.3 million immediately, followed by a second disbursement of $58.7 million after the first review’s successful conclusion.

In its press release, the IMF praised Togo’s progress. Real GDP growth reached 5.3% in 2024, while inflation dropped to an annual average of 2.8% by February 2025. 

Despite these achievements, the IMF urged Togo to focus on public revenue mobilisation, fiscal discipline, and debt sustainability. The institution also recommended structural reforms to improve the business climate and foster economic inclusion.

The IMF clarified that this mission would not lead to an immediate presentation of Togo’s case to its Executive Board. Further discussions are planned during upcoming meetings in Washington.

Togo joined the ECF programme to address the economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and rising global energy and food prices.

This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo's parliament unanimously passed a new intelligence law last week. The legislation aims to bolster national security while safeguarding citizens' fundamental rights.

The government championed the bill, backed by the National Assembly's Defense and Security Committee. This new framework addresses emerging security challenges from terrorism, cybercrime, and violent extremism.

The law extends beyond security, targeting economic benefits. It seeks to enhance the business climate, prevent land disputes, and mitigate financial risks linked to security threats. The legislation establishes guidelines for responsible surveillance, protecting vulnerable populations and critical infrastructure.

Commenting on the new bill, Col. Calixte Madjoulba, Minister of Security and Civil Protection, stated: "The aim is to provide a modern legal framework, guaranteeing both an effective fight against threats and strict respect for fundamental rights."

The government views this development as a stability assurance for investors and a strong signal of Togo's commitment to securing its economic environment.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum