The government of Togo announced plans to raise CFA20 billion (approximately $34 million) through the issuance of short-term Treasury bills on the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UMOA) public securities market. The auction is scheduled for May 5, 2025.

The Treasury bills, known locally as fungible treasury bills (BATS), will mature in 182 days and carry a nominal value of CFA1 million each. The securities will be issued at varying interest rates, reflecting current market conditions.

Proceeds from the sale will help finance Togo’s national budget for 2025, which is balanced at nearly CFA2.4 trillion ($4 billion). Since the start of the year, Togo has already raised CFA209.5 billion about 63 percent of its annual borrowing target of CFA332 billion through regional debt markets.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo kicked off the second edition of its National Week for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (SN-TPME) on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. The event, running until June 5, stretches across several cities and focuses on the theme: “Development and Competitiveness of Togolese TPMEs: Building Solutions for Sustainable Growth.”

Government officials and entrepreneurs gathered to tackle the big issues facing Togolese small businesses. Organizers want everyone to brainstorm and find ways to make these businesses more competitive and sustainable. This year, the event aims to rally support and address the structural challenges holding back the country’s entrepreneurs.

Minister of Grassroots Development, Youth and Youth Employment, Mazamesso Assih, urged participants to get involved. “It’s true that as a government, we can do things, but we can only do what corresponds to the needs that you yourselves identify and express,” she said. She reminded everyone that TPMEs make up more than 90% of Togo’s formal businesses.

The week features workshops, technical presentations, and roundtables. After opening in Greater Lomé, the SN-TPME caravan heads to Tsévié in the Maritime region on May 29 and 30. It then moves to Atakpamé for the Plateaux region on June 1 and 2, then Sokodé in the Central region on June 3 and 4, and finally Kara from June 3 to 5, covering both Kara and Savanes regions.

Organizations representing SMEs launched the national SME week in 2024. The event is quickly becoming a platform for dialogue, analysis, and real solutions. After the first edition, organizers identified major challenges and published them in a white paper. This document now guides some government actions to support the sector.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togolese authorities and European partners are increasing efforts to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous goods in Lomé, the Togolese capital. On May 27, Togolese officials launched a two-day symposium under the SAFETIC project, a European Union-funded project. The event focused on preventing, detecting, and managing nuclear, radiological, biological, and chemical (NRBC) risks.

The French Ministry for the Environment led this initiative, which wrapped up a strategic program combining two regional projects dating back to 2013. The main goal is clear: make industrial facilities safer and secure supply chains to support sustainable economic growth.

Colonel Aoufoh Koffi Dimizou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources, stated, “Industrial risk management is a strategic challenge. Togo is resolutely committed to strengthening its prevention, detection, and response capabilities.”

The European Union praised Togo’s dedication. Stéphane Devaux, team leader at the EU delegation in Lomé, said, “The aim is to support partner countries in reducing CBRN threats, while supporting safer and sustainable economic development.”

The Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) platform will launch operations in Togo and Guinea. The move aligns with the pan-African platform’s ambition to increase private-sector investment in underserved “border economies.”

ARIA was founded in 2021 by British International Investment (BII) and Dutch bank FMO. Since then, the platform has mobilized over $50 million in various countries, including Benin, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Liberia.

ARIA’s expansion into Togo coincides with the integration of Proparco, the private sector arm of the French Development Agency (AFD), into the platform. Proparco’s integration aims to strengthen ARIA’s impact through three main strategies: geographic expansion, enhanced technical assistance, and a broader range of financing options.

“We are delighted to join the ARIA platform alongside FMO and BII. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to catalyze private investment where it is most needed. Proparco is ready to play an active role in increasing investment in the countries covered by ARIA, and to help build more resilient and dynamic economies,” said Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparco.

For Togo’s private sector, ARIA’s arrival opens new opportunities for capital mobilization. ARIA identifies high-potential companies in sectors like agrifood, energy, and manufacturing that need between $5 million and $20 million in financing.

According to ARIA’s latest report, 128 analyzed companies expressed financing needs totaling $2 billion. Nearly half of this amount targets projects to reduce imports or boost local exports.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Autonomous District of Greater Lomé (DAGL) has initiated a four-month study to investigate illegal occupation of public reserves and roads, as well as uncontrolled urbanization in Togo’s capital.

The project, launched on May 27, aims to gather comprehensive data to inform effective urban management strategies. The study will analyze the root causes of chaotic city expansion, assess its environmental and social impacts, and recommend measures for improved land use.

Bossa Makagni-Amelété, Director of Strategic Planning and Urban Development at the DAGL, emphasized that the study aligns with the government’s strategic vision for land use planning. “This initiative goes beyond research—it is about reinforcing local governance, securing land tenure, promoting balanced urbanization, and ensuring social and territorial equity,” he said.

This effort follows a prior census of state administrative reserves conducted by the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Traditional Chieftaincy, which began in September 2024 and covered all 13 communes of Greater Lomé.

The DAGL leads land use planning and urban development in the capital, which has experienced rapid population and economic growth in recent decades, often outpacing formal planning standards.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Stand bookings for the 20th edition of the Lomé International Fair (Foire Internationale de Lomé, FIL) are now open online and will continue until August 31. Launched 40 years ago, the fair is scheduled to take place from November 28 to December 14, 2025.

The Centre Togolais des Expositions et Foires (CETEF), which oversees the fair, said in a statement that registration is exclusively digital this year, through its dedicated platform: e-fil.cetef.tg. Companies, economic operators, and national and international institutions are encouraged to complete participation formalities as soon as possible due to logistical constraints and limited space.

“It is strongly advised to finalize registration as soon as possible to avoid missing out,” said Dr. Alexandre de Souza, General Manager of CETEF, highlighting the system’s digital approach for both exhibitors and visitors. CETEF also offers in-person assistance at its headquarters for those experiencing difficulties with online registration.

Launched in 1985 as a biennial event, FIL has grown into a key economic gathering in West Africa, now held annually. The fair attracts exhibitors from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, serving as a major platform for trade, innovation, and cross-sector cooperation.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

SAFER, the Autonomous Road Maintenance Financing Company of Togo, has launched mobile weighing brigades on key roads. The brigades target strategic, high-traffic locations to combat overloading by heavy vehicles, which causes rapid damage to the national road network.

The pilot phase focuses on National Route 1. SAFER’s mobile brigades use the latest axle scales and operate around the clock, 24/7. Their technical standards match those of fixed stations, such as Djéréhouyé in the Plateaux region.

SAFER positions the mobile brigades to outsmart truck drivers who bypass fixed checkpoints. Some drivers comply with fixed station controls, then secretly reload their vehicles further down the road. SAFER says this rule-breaking damages road infrastructure.

The organization notes that mobile brigades deliver the same precision as fixed stations. They also offer greater flexibility and wider territorial coverage. This makes the system more responsive and adaptable.

SAFER plans to expand the mobile units to other sensitive areas. The expansion will include transit corridors to Burkina Faso, Benin, and Ghana.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

On May 26, the Cadre Permanent de Concertation (CPC) held its 21st session to review the electoral process and collect proposals from the parties. During the meeting, participants suggested amendments regarding the coming local elections scheduled for July 10.

Renewing the CENI

The renewal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) remains a key concern. “We are calling on the President of the National Assembly to initiate this renewal, which has been slow in coming,” said CPC President Me Tchassona Traoré.

A May 21, 2025, decree has also sparked debate. The decree changes the number of delegates on local electoral commissions. Some parties say the change complicates election preparations. Several participants called for a suspension of the decree, a return to the 2019 rules, or even a postponement of the vote if the decree stands.

Participants also asked for an extension of the candidacy submission deadline. The current deadline is May 29 Ascension Day, a public holiday. They argue the extension would ensure fair participation.

Minister of Territorial Administration Hodabalo Awaté promised to relay all recommendations to the Chairman of the Council. He hinted at possible adjustments in the coming days.