Togo First
University of Lomé, Gabon’s USTS formalize research and academic partnership
The University of Lomé and Gabon’s University of Health Sciences and Technology have formalized an academic partnership, signing a cooperation agreement in Lomé last week covering scientific research and academic activities.
The framework agreement was signed by Kossivi Hounaké, president of the University of Lomé, and Jérôme Miloundja, rector of the University of Health Sciences and Technology of Gabon. It aims to coordinate academic and research activities, develop joint scientific projects, and facilitate the exchange of information and scientific publications between the two institutions.
The universities also plan to collaborate on international projects and seek funding jointly. Such cooperation should, according to both parties, “increase the chances of success in competitive calls for proposals.”
The agreement also provides for the mobility of faculty members, researchers and students, with the aim of fostering academic exchange and skills development. The two institutions plan to work toward harmonizing and mutually recognizing curricula in order to facilitate graduate mobility and improve the comparability of academic pathways within the African university system.
“This framework agreement with USTS marks an important step in our inter-African cooperation strategy. It reflects our shared commitment to building lasting bridges between our institutions to address the challenges of health training and research on the continent,” Hounaké said.
Miloundja said the agreement “will allow us to pool our strengths to train the health professionals Africa needs and produce high-quality scientific research adapted to the continent’s realities.”
The partnership adds to several agreements the University of Lomé has already signed with foreign institutions as part of its strategy to strengthen international academic cooperation.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo, U.S. discuss stronger cooperation on security and migration
Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of Ministers of Togo, received Christian Jové Ehrhardt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, in Lomé on Friday.
The visit took place as part of ongoing bilateral dialogue between Lomé and Washington on migration, security and development. The two sides discussed ways to deepen cooperation between their countries.
“I had a meeting with His Excellency the President of the Council of Ministers. We discussed the strong cooperation between the United States and Togo. Our relationship dates back to Togo’s independence, and we explored ways to further strengthen it. I am very proud. This is my first visit to Togo, which is a great country,” Jové Ehrhardt said after the meeting.
The United States is one of Togo’s longstanding partners, with active programs in security, governance and social development.
Security cooperation has intensified in recent years in response to the threat of violent extremism in the region. Washington supports the Emergency Program for the Savanes Region, known by its French acronym PURS, a Togolese initiative aimed at stabilizing the north of the country and strengthening the resilience of communities exposed to security risks. The program receives international backing, including from the United States, partly through the Coastal States Stability mechanism.
Military cooperation is also part of the partnership. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) works with Togolese forces to strengthen training, operational coordination and preparedness against transnational threats.
Beyond security, Washington also supports projects in health, education and governance. The two countries are also seeking to expand trade and investment as geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve across West Africa.
R.E.D.
Togo shea industry maps path to sustainable growth, new governance body
Stakeholders in Togo's shea industry gathered in Kara on Thursday to discuss development and sustainability prospects for the sector.
The meeting, held under the theme “The Shea Sector Facing Sustainability Challenges: Stocktaking and Prospects,” is part of broader efforts to better organize the industry and pave the way for the creation of the Conseil interprofessionnel de la filière karité du Togo (CIFKAT), the country's shea interprofessional council.
More than 150 participants attended the event, including producers, processors and exporters, along with representatives from government departments responsible for agriculture, the environment and trade, as well as financial partners.
Participants discussed the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the shea sector. Talks focused on sustainable management of shea parklands, improving nut quality, strengthening local processing and increasing value from processed shea products.
Discussions also addressed the organization of cooperatives, women's entrepreneurship and market access. The aim is to better structure the value chain and strengthen the sector's competitiveness in regional and international markets.
According to the organizers, the meeting also laid the groundwork for initiatives to support assisted natural regeneration of shea parklands and help the sector adapt to climate change, as preserving this natural resource becomes increasingly critical.
At the global level, Togo ranks as the world's seventh-largest shea producer, with annual output estimated between 35,000 and 50,000 metric tons of nuts. Sector stakeholders said the current initiatives could help unlock that potential and increase the industry's economic returns.
Elisabeth Essodolom Pali-Tchalla said shea represents a major source of income for thousands of rural women and plays an important role in local development. She noted, however, that despite its economic potential, the sector still faces several challenges.
She called on stakeholders to define new strategies to promote and develop the industry, with the aim of making shea a more structured sector and a genuine driver of sustainable development in the Togolese economy.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo's annual inflation holds at 0.4% in February, among lowest in WAEMU
Togo's annual inflation rate was 0.4% in February 2026, making the country one of the most price-stable economies in West Africa, according to data published by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED).
The harmonized consumer price index (HCPI) came in at 103.6 last month, compared with 103.2 in February 2025, with 2023 as the base year (100). Month-on-month, prices rose 0.7% compared with January 2026.
The 12-month average inflation rate, one of the convergence indicators monitored by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), stood at 0.1%, well below the bloc's 3% ceiling.
The moderation in annual inflation was driven primarily by a decline in food prices, which fell 0.9% over 12 months. Cereals were the largest contributor to that easing, dropping 17.8% year-on-year following a strong agricultural season that boosted domestic maize supplies.
Food products account for nearly 28% of the Togolese household consumption basket, according to INSEED basket weights.
Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels posted the sharpest increase, rising 6.3% year-on-year and emerging as the main driver of inflation during the period. The electricity, gas and other fuels sub-group climbed 13.0% over 12 months.
Fuel prices, however, remained unchanged, with premium unleaded petrol holding at 680 CFA francs per liter and diesel at 695 CFA francs across the country.
Fresh vegetable prices recorded sharp monthly increases. Local round tomatoes rose 56% between January and February in Lomé, imported tomatoes climbed nearly 90%, and green chili peppers increased more than 30%. INSEED attributed these movements to seasonal factors linked to agricultural cycles.
Several smoked fish products also became more expensive, including smoked sardinella, up 10%, and smoked horse mackerel, up 6.1%.
Core inflation, calculated excluding energy and fresh products, was flat on a monthly basis, indicating no broad-based price pressures.
Within WAEMU, Togo recorded one of the most stable price profiles. Côte d'Ivoire posted annual inflation of 1.4%, Benin 0.9% and Senegal 0.4%. Niger, by contrast, was in sharp deflation at minus 10.2% over 12 months. The union's aggregate index fell 0.5% year-on-year.
The Togolese HCPI is calculated monthly from a survey covering 810 products across 4,790 outlets nationwide.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
CCI-Togo Previews Program to Train Women as Truck and Crane Operators
The Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI-Togo) held a preview event Friday for its “Femmes Action CCI-Togo” project, an initiative aimed at promoting women’s economic empowerment through careers in transport and logistics. Ten beneficiaries will be selected for the program’s first cohort.
The announcement was made by CCI-Togo president José Kwassi Symenouh at a press briefing attended by Director General Karine Adotevi Edoh, road transport officials and sector partners, including Africa Global Logistics (AGL), represented by senior executive Charles Kokouvi Gaffan.
According to Symenouh, the initiative aims to increase women’s participation in transport and logistics, sectors still largely dominated by men.
The project seeks to train women to operate heavy machinery, trucks and semi-trailers, as well as port cranes. “The objective is to show women they can pursue careers long considered reserved for men,” Symenouh said.
Presented as part of International Women’s Rights Day activities, the program aims to support women’s economic empowerment while addressing growing skills shortages in sectors strategic to Togo’s economy.
Ten Women for First Cohort
The inaugural edition, named the “Dorothée Nassif Promotion,” will select ten candidates through an open call for applications. Nassif is among Togo’s first female heavy-truck drivers. “Driving is exciting,” she said, encouraging women to overcome their fears and pursue careers operating heavy equipment and port machinery.
Selected participants will undergo specialized vocational training with technical and institutional support from CCI-Togo and its partners, including Africa Global Logistics and road transport operators, with the aim of facilitating both training and job placement.
Following this preview phase, the project will move into its operational stage, with the official launch scheduled for June, when agreements with institutional partners are expected to be signed.
Training is set to begin in September 2026. Beyond training, CCI-Togo plans to support the professional integration of beneficiaries, including within companies such as AGL, while also promoting female entrepreneurship. The chamber also intends to establish a dedicated funding vehicle, the CCI-Togo Investment Fund, to support initiatives in the sector.
“Women can come together and start a transport company with the support of CCI-Togo,” Symenouh said.
CCI-Togo said an initial evaluation of the initiative is planned for March 8, 2027, to assess its impact on women’s access to careers in transport and logistics.
S.A
Togo Strengthens Disaster Coordination as Heavy Rains Loom
Togolese authorities are stepping up disaster preparedness as the country braces for potential flooding. The National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) held a meeting in Lomé on Thursday, bringing together public institutions, technical partners and organizations involved in disaster management.
The gathering, held during the first annual meeting of the national disaster risk reduction platform, aimed to assess the readiness of key stakeholders and improve coordination in the event of major climate-related incidents.
The meeting follows seasonal forecasts issued by meteorological services warning of a significant flood risk in parts of the country.
"It was necessary to bring together all stakeholders involved in disaster risk management to prepare and ensure an effective response to potential flooding," ANPC Director General Lieutenant Colonel Baka Youma said.
Participants presented the preparedness levels of their organizations and discussed coordination mechanisms among the relevant agencies.
The World Bank also presented a rapid financing mechanism designed to support emergency responses in the event of a disaster. The tool, known as the RRO, would enable the swift mobilization of financial resources from existing projects.
The meeting took place as experts warn of a worrying climate outlook. According to projections from the 2026 PRESAGG regional forum, southern Togo could see above-average rainfall between March and May, a period during which coastal and urban areas are particularly vulnerable to flooding.
R.E.D
Five innovators awarded at CCI-Togo national inventions competition
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) has awarded the winners of the first edition of its national competition for the best inventions and innovations. The awards ceremony took place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès in Lomé, on the sidelines of the 7th Scientific Days of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES) and the Togo Inventions and Innovations Fair (FFI-Togo).
The first prize went to Togolese inventor Salma Bougoune for an off-grid solar-powered electric stove that requires no fuel. The solution offers low-energy cooking designed for rural households. According to the designer, the device relies on a thermal storage system that reduces the power needed to cook for a family of six from 2,000 watts to approximately 400 watts.
A total of five laureates were recognized at the conclusion of the competition. Prize money is set at 5 million CFA francs for first place, 3 million for second, 2 million for third, 1 million for fourth and 500,000 CFA francs for fifth.
Other award-winning innovations include an electro-solar cooking stove, floating feed for tilapia produced from by-products of the local brew “tchouk,” a natural insecticide targeting cocoa mirid bugs and a hybrid generator.
The competition initially drew 66 submitted projects after CCI-Togo issued a call for entries. Fifteen finalists advanced to the final round, selected based on criteria such as social relevance, level of innovation, economic and environmental impact, and project feasibility.
The judging panel was a joint body composed of representatives from CCI-Togo, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and CAMES. It was chaired by Prof. Koffi Tsigbe, a history lecturer at the University of Lomé.
“The value of an innovation is measured first by its ability to address a concrete problem and meet a real need in society. We therefore evaluated projects based on their social utility and their genuinely innovative character. Some candidates claim to be innovating, but when you compare their proposals with existing solutions, you find that this is not always the case. We therefore took care to distinguish projects that bring real novelty,” Prof. Tsigbé said on the sidelines of the awards ceremony.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
CAMES adopts “Lomé Declaration” on common research policy
Member states of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES) adopted a common research policy during a four-day scientific conference held in Lomé, aimed at harmonizing research strategies across French-speaking Africa.
The conference’s main outcome was the adoption of the "Lomé Declaration," a framework designed to strengthen scientific cooperation among the organization's 19 member states.
The declaration was drafted at preparatory meetings in Bamako before being amended by ministers gathered in the Togolese capital.
CAMES Secretary General Professor Souleymane Konaté described the moment as a turning point for the organization. "The first major step forward is the declaration of the common research policy for the CAMES area, affectionately named the Lomé Declaration," he said. "This founding text is not another statement of intent. It is our collective vision for the scientific research we want."
The 7th edition of the CAMES Scientific Days, held from Monday, March 9 to Thursday, March 12, brought together more than 1,000 participants, including 903 presenters from Africa, Europe and other regions. The scientific program featured nearly 1,000 papers, delivered as oral presentations and posters.
In his closing remarks, Togolese Education Minister Mama Omorou welcomed the adoption of the common framework. "It is now up to us to strengthen the bridges between these capacities and our national research institutions in order to create a genuine space for the circulation of knowledge, technologies and talent," he said.
Beyond academic coordination, discussions focused on research funding and on directing it toward productive sectors such as energy, agro-industry and local resource processing.
Member states are now expected to incorporate the Lomé Declaration into national policies to deepen scientific integration and support the continent's economic development strategies. The call comes as research funding faces significant structural challenges across the continent. Africa, which accounts for more than 18 percent of the world's population, produces only around 2 percent of global scientific output, with the CAMES area contributing close to 1 percent.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo deploys digital intelligence platform to combat market fraud
Togo has integrated a new Digital Market Intelligence (DMI) platform into its automated product marking system. The tool was officially launched on Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Lomé by Minister of Economy and Strategic Intelligence Badanam Patoki.
Developed by SICPA's Togolese subsidiary, the platform aims to transform data collected during inspection operations into strategic intelligence for government authorities. Its objective is to strengthen the government's capacity to analyze, anticipate and respond to market fraud.
The DMI platform complements the Système automatisé de marquage (SAM), a government initiative introduced to combat counterfeiting and improve the traceability of products subject to secure fiscal marking. The platform uses artificial intelligence and data analytics to detect and prevent fraudulent practices involving consumer goods.
Automating fraud detection
By automating the processing of field data, the platform is designed to quickly identify anomalies, flag potentially counterfeit products and report suspicious behavior. Inspections are also digitalized, improving traceability and increasing the efficiency of field operations.
The platform will serve as a working tool for officials from the Togolese Revenue Authority and the commerce ministry, who will use its analyses to guide inspections and strengthen market surveillance.
For Togolese authorities, the initiative forms part of a broader effort to modernize economic regulatory tools. It is expected to increase market transparency, protect consumers from non-compliant products and improve tax collection needed to finance development.
“The DMI platform marks an important step in the use of innovative technologies to regulate markets and strengthen public revenue mobilization,” Minister Patoki said.
Essowavana Adoyi, president of the SAM commission, said the system opens a new phase in the fight against fraud. According to him, the Digital Market Intelligence platform marks “Togo's entry into a more proactive and data-driven fight against fraud.”
The SAM system has been deployed in Togo since 2020 to secure consumer products and improve tax collection. Between 2020 and 2025, the mechanism generated approximately 35.8 billion CFA francs in revenue for the tax administration.
Esaïe Edoh
UEMOA consultative chamber pushes reforms and explores new financing tools for private sector
The president of the CCR-UEMOA, Héléna Nosolini Embalo, presented a mid-term assessment of the institution's efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of West Africa's private sector.
The press conference, held in Lomé on Thursday, March 12, 2026, brought together other senior officials of the regional body, including Mariétou Coulibaly, director general, and José Kwassi Syménouh, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo). It was moderated by Léonard Dossou, coordinator of the UEMOA media platform.
The main takeaway: through strategic reforms, studies on business financing and support for African economic integration, the CCR-UEMOA aims to accelerate reforms and financing mechanisms for the private sector.
Updated Strategic Foundations
At the midpoint of its mandate, the UEMOA Regional Consultative Chamber highlighted several advances designed to better support businesses across the community area.
Among its key achievements is the update of the Vision and Strategic Plan 2020-2030 to incorporate the priorities of the 2024-2027 mandate. The institution also developed an action plan for this period, accompanied by a performance framework intended to improve monitoring and the effectiveness of ongoing initiatives.
In the same vein, the CCR-UEMOA continued to build the capacity of its member organizations, particularly through training programs and experience-sharing initiatives, its president said.
The regional consultative body also mobilized to prepare businesses within the Union to capitalize on opportunities offered by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
In collaboration with the European Union, it rolled out a technical capacity-building program focused on the AfCFTA protocol on trade in goods, targeting member organizations and private sector support structures.
In addition, an economic prospecting mission to Barcelona resulted in the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Association of Mediterranean Countries' Chambers of Commerce and Industry, opening the door to new economic partnerships.
Recommendations on Economic Issues
On the advisory front, the CCR-UEMOA's technical commissions produced several analyses and recommendations on key issues for the regional economy: the gradual formalization of the informal sector, the free movement of people and goods, industrial competitiveness, local content in the mining sector and the harmonization of tax and commercial legislation.
Other topics, including improvements to the business environment, tourism development, energy challenges and public procurement, also received in-depth consideration.
According to the institution, these analyses help inform decisions by the Union's highest authorities and strengthen the consideration given to private sector concerns.
A Push for New Financing Mechanisms
Business financing is another central focus of the CCR-UEMOA's work. To that end, the institution conducted two opportunity and feasibility studies. The first examined the creation of a regional mechanism to support, stabilize and revive the private sector during major crises, as a complement to existing instruments. The second explored the establishment of a flexible financing mechanism dedicated to micro-enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, craft businesses and agro-sylvo-pastoral operations, anchored to Caisse des Dépôts et de Consignations institutions or similar bodies.
Separately, a comprehensive study on the informal sector in the UEMOA was launched with the aim of proposing a five-year action plan for its gradual formalization.
For the remainder of its mandate, running through 2027, the CCR-UEMOA presidency plans to operationalize the financing mechanisms under study, press ahead with reforms to promote formalization and business competitiveness and deepen cooperation with technical and financial partners. The institution also aims to strengthen its position as a strategic interface between the private sector and UEMOA's community institutions.
The CCR-UEMOA is an advisory body established under the Union's Treaty, with a primary mission of ensuring the effective involvement of the private sector in UEMOA's integration process. It serves as the institutional framework for dialogue and consultation between the Union's bodies and the community's private sector.
S.A