Togo First
Togo to host real estate and renewable energy fair from October 17 to 19
Lomé will host the first edition of the Real Estate and Energy Fair from October 17 to 19, 2025, at the CETEF exhibition center. The three-day event will highlight the construction and renewable energy sectors through a joint initiative by Fest’immo (Togo’s real estate fair) and Solar Days by SAER-Togo (Synergy of Renewable Energy Actors).
Architects, engineers, developers, investors, and solar equipment suppliers will meet under the theme “Renewable Energy in the Service of Real Estate.” Panels and training sessions will cover topics such as financing green real estate projects, using eco-friendly materials, and installing domestic solar systems.
According to Serge Adoté from the Synergy of Renewable Energy Actors (SAER), the event aims “to present a unique and optimal solution combining energy performance and sustainable construction.”
Participants will also discover the latest innovations in solar air conditioning, renewable energy-powered pumps, and bioclimatic building models adapted to local conditions.
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Lomé to host second Youth Book Fair from October 16 to 18
The second edition of the Lomé Youth Book Fair (SALIJEL) will take place from October 16 to 18, 2025. Organized by the association “Lire au Togo” with support from partners including the French Development Agency (AFD), the event will be hosted at the Institut Français du Togo, which is also a partner.
Following a successful first edition that attracted more than 8,000 visitors, SALIJEL 2025 will highlight cultural cooperation and the development of cultural and creative industries (CCI).
More than forty exhibitors, including publishers, booksellers, and illustrators from Africa and Europe, are expected to showcase their works and innovations through exhibitions, workshops, and professional meetings.
In addition to promoting youth reading, the event aims to strengthen Togo’s book industry, particularly in distribution and promotion in the digital age. In line with this, a national training session for Togolese librarians will be held under the theme “Libraries and Youth Reading in the Digital Era.”
Faure Gnassingbé Reinforces Council Presidency with Three Strategic Appointments
Days after the formation of Togo’s first government under the Fifth Republic, Council President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé has completed the composition of his cabinet with three new appointments.
In a presidential decree broadcast on national television, General Yark Damehame was named Chief of Staff to the Council President. A former Security Minister and key figure in the national security establishment, Damehame now takes on a central role in coordinating the new administration’s political and administrative affairs.
Also returning is Pascal Bodjona, former Minister of State, who was appointed as a Senior Adviser. Known for his diplomatic experience and broad political network, Bodjona is expected to continue playing a key role in strengthening foreign relations and institutional dialogue.
Finally, Edem Tengue, former Minister for Maritime Affairs, has joined the Council President’s inner circle as a Senior Adviser.
These appointments further shape the administrative structure of the Fifth Republic. They bring the government’s total to 30 members, 20 Ministers, and 10 Deputy Ministers.
Togo’s KYA-Energy Wins Regional Integration Prize at OAPI Brand Awards
Togo's KYA-Energy Group, a renewable energy company, was honored with the Regional Integration Prize at the 5th edition of the OAPI Brand Awards in Libreville last week. The distinction recognizes the company's role in promoting sustainable energy solutions and its subregional expansion.
Led by Professor Yao Azoumah, KYA-Energy Group impressed the jury with its flagship brand, KYA-SOP, a line of locally designed and assembled solar-electric generator systems. The KYA-SOP product had previously received recognition from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) in 2018.
According to the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), the jury praised the company's expansion strategy across several West African nations, along with its positive impact on energy security and the creation of green jobs.
The award comes with a financial prize of 3 million XOF. Beyond the monetary value, Professor Azoumah emphasized the symbolic importance, stating the award "confirms the quality of Togolese innovation and the relevance of our vision for an energy-autonomous Africa."
The OAPI Brand Awards recognize the best initiatives in intellectual property and innovation. During the event, the Togolese Employers’ Union, represented by Laurent Tamegnon, was also honored with a special award for its partnership in the initiative.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo to Soon Start Construction of 22 Groynes to Shield Its Coastline
Coastal protection work on the Gbodjomé-Agbodrafo-Goumoukopé segment in Togo is scheduled to enter its active phase on October 20, 2025.
The project, valued at over 33 billion XOF(or 51 million euros), is part of the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project (WACA ResIP-Togo). Funding for this segment is provided by the French Development Agency (AFD), Invest International, and supported by the World Bank.
"Everything is ready for the effective start of the work, scheduled around October 20," Eusébio A. César, the WACA project’s Senior Coastal Civil Engineer, told Togo First.
The construction contract was awarded to the Dutch firm Boskalis International BV, which has previously worked on similar projects in Togo. The work will be overseen by the Inros Lackner/Antea consortium.
According to details shared by WACA ResIP, the construction will span 18 months, running from June 2025 to November 2026.
Specifically, the project involves building 22 protective groynes (20 between Gbodjomé and Agbodrafo and two at Goumoukopé). Each groyne will measure between 65 and 75 meters and will be reinforced by sand nourishment estimated at 35,000 cubic meters per compartment, totaling approximately 730,000 cubic meters of sand dredged from the high seas, 10 kilometers offshore.
"These structures will stabilize the coast and allow populations to live without the fear of being displaced by the sea," said Adou Rahimi Alimi Assimiou, WACA-Togo National Project Coordinator.
The operation also includes backfilling 450,000 cubic meters of sand into the dead lagoon channels of Aného, and replanting 10 hectares of coconut trees to stabilize the coastline and limit marine encroachment.
Beyond the infrastructure work, the project emphasizes its social dimension. Before the launch, 296 affected individuals were compensated. The project is also generating local employment: "The project has already created 112 jobs, 89 of which are local labor," said Loukman Nadjari, the project's social safeguard specialist. Local residents have been briefed on temporary disruptions related to traffic and noise pollution. The stated goal for the duration of the work is to ensure zero accidents, zero incidents.
Project engineers anticipate the coastal structures will provide long-term stability for at least 30 years, curbing erosion and protecting homes, hotels, and infrastructure currently under threat. The successful completion of this phase is expected to eventually pave the way for an extension of the protection scheme towards Kpémé and Aného, areas where the sea continues to advance.
Previous WACA project work in Togo, also executed by Boskalis BV, included the construction and rehabilitation of 14 groynes along the Agbodrafo-Sanvee Condji section, the installation of a breakwater, compartment nourishment, and the development of the Gbaga channel in Aného.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo, India Set to Deepen Ties Through Cultural Cooperation
• India and Togo plan to expand their partnership into cultural cooperation, with upcoming projects promoting exchanges between artists from both nations.
• The initiative strengthens Togo’s South-South diplomacy and India’s soft power strategy in West Africa.
• India remains among Togo’s top three trading partners and ranked second among Lomé’s export clients in Q2 2025.
Togo and India plan to expand their partnership to include cultural collaboration, according to the Indian ambassador to Togo, Shri Sayed Razi. The announcement came during the third edition of the Indian Festival held in Lomé on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
The diplomat said both countries, which already enjoy strong cooperation in several sectors, aim to give “a new dimension” to their relations by building structured cultural exchanges. “Artists and cultural actors from India will come to discover what is being done in Togo, and vice versa. This will help establish lasting cooperation in the cultural field,” Ambassador Razi said.
Planned projects will include exchange programs and residencies for artists from both countries. Shri Sayed Razi highlighted that both India and Togo possess exceptional cultural richness. He said their “proximity in diversity” could transform culture into a source of economic development for both nations.
This approach aligns with Togo’s broader diplomatic strategy of promoting South-South cooperation. By engaging with India — an emerging global power with a strong cultural identity — Togo seeks to enhance its visibility in Asia through the promotion of its arts, music, fashion, and gastronomy.
For India, this initiative fits within its soft power strategy. By promoting its language, traditions, and cultural values in Togo, New Delhi aims to strengthen its influence in West Africa. The move also reinforces its growing presence on the continent, where it competes with China and other global actors for economic and cultural influence.
Officials from both countries’ ministries of culture are expected to meet soon to outline specific cooperation frameworks and funding mechanisms for the new initiatives.
Beyond culture, India remains a key economic partner for Togo. The South Asian nation consistently ranks among Lomé’s top three trading partners. In the second quarter of 2025, India was Togo’s second-largest export client, underscoring the depth of bilateral economic relations.
This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh
Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Japan Donates CFA1.6Bln in Vehicles to Enhance Togo's Police Mobility
Japan has donated 25 vehicles to Togo’s National Police, worth 402 million yen (about 1.6 billion CFA francs or $2.6 million), to improve the force’s mobility and operational effectiveness.
The official handover took place late last week, marked by the signing of an Exchange of Notes between Afo Salifou, Secretary-General at the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, African Integration and Togolese Abroad, and Junji Gomakubo, Japan’s Ambassador to Togo.
The contribution forms part of Japan’s 2025 Economic and Social Development Program. The vehicles will be deployed to six regional police prefectures and to National Police headquarters to strengthen response capacity, particularly amid growing instability in the Sahel region.
Ambassador Gomakubo said the donation supports Togo’s efforts to modernize its security services.
“This assistance will help modernize and strengthen the operational capabilities of the Togolese police, thereby contributing to national peace and stability,” he said.
The Togolese government welcomed the support, with Salifou noting that it reflects the strong partnership between Lomé and Tokyo, built on cooperation and mutual trust.
“This donation, part of Japan’s 2025 Economic and Social Development Program, demonstrates Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Togo’s efforts to modernize and strengthen its security forces,” Salifou said.
Japan’s backing for Togo’s security sector complements its ongoing cooperation in other areas, including agriculture, environmental protection, and education, underscoring the depth and continuity of bilateral ties.
Esaïe Edoh
France, Togo Deepen Ties Through a Shared Push for 'Green Future'
France has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ecological and environmental protection efforts in Togo through international volunteer programs. The pledge was announced at the 14th French Volunteering Day on Oct. 10, attended by Abdul Fahd Fofana, Togo’s Minister Delegate for Youth and Sports.
The event, held under the theme “Volontariat et éco-citoyenneté : bâtir ensemble un avenir vert (Volunteering and Eco-Citizenship: Building a Green Future Together),” stressed the role of international volunteers in raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices and strengthening social cohesion. It also underscored cooperation between France and Togo in backing practical initiatives ranging from ecosystem protection to community education and environmental action.
“France is proud to support Togo’s efforts to promote eco-citizenship and protect the environment. Through reciprocal international volunteering programs, our volunteers are committed partners who make a tangible contribution to raising community awareness and building a green future,” said French Ambassador Augustin Favereau.
In 2024, Togo hosted 2,771 International Volunteers for Exchange and Solidarity (VIES), who worked in education, the environment, health and community development — a 31 percent increase from 2023.
“This momentum shows both countries’ determination to make volunteering a genuine driver of solidarity and development benefiting local communities,” said Telngar Rassembeye, National Representative of France Volontaires Togo.
In 2023, the National Volunteering Agency (ANVT) and France Volontaires launched the Program to Revive Civic Engagement and Volunteering in Togo, aimed at mobilizing Franco-Togolese volunteers to support civil-society organizations and strengthen civic participation across municipalities.
Togo, Cuba Explore Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, and Agricultural Cooperation
Togo and Cuba plan to broaden their cooperation to include biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. The topics were discussed in Lomé on Oct. 9, 2025, during a visit by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
“We discussed potential partnerships in the biomedical, pharmaceutical and agricultural areas,” Rodriguez said after talks with Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé and Foreign Minister Robert Dussey.
Cuba is known for its expertise in these sectors. The island has a highly developed biotech and pharmaceutical industry, with strong capacity for the research, development and production of vaccines and medicines. With Cuban support, Togo could eventually produce some essential medicines or vaccines locally, cutting costs, delays and import risks.
In agriculture, Cuba has developed biotechnologies for crop improvement and livestock, technologies that could bolster Togo’s agricultural strategy, a key driver of economic growth.
This expansion builds on an already active partnership between Lomé and Havana in health, education, tourism and investment. Cuban doctors have worked in Togolese hospitals and clinics for years, and many Togolese students study in Cuba on scholarships.
Esaïe Edoh
UK, Philippines and Italy Appoint New Ambassadors to Togo
- Togo received three new ambassadors from the United Kingdom, the Philippines and Italy on October 8, 2025.
- The UK plans to expand trade and investment in finance, maritime logistics and infrastructure.
- The Philippines and Italy aim to boost cooperation in transport, security, and cultural development.
Togo has welcomed three new ambassadors representing the United Kingdom, the Philippines, and Italy, as part of its ongoing efforts to diversify diplomatic and economic partnerships.
President Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové received the diplomats on October 8, 2025, as they presented their credentials during a ceremony in Lomé.
British ambassador Robert John Marshall said the UK seeks to deepen economic and commercial cooperation with Togo. He emphasized a focus on private investment and job creation, aligning with Lomé’s broader strategy to diversify funding sources.
“The United Kingdom is already active in finance and maritime logistics,” Marshall said, noting that London could increase participation in infrastructure and services projects. This renewed engagement comes as Togo positions itself as a growing logistics and investment hub in West Africa.
From Asia, Mersole Jala Mellejor, the new ambassador of the Philippines, said his mandate will focus on strengthening collaboration in air and maritime transport as well as logistics. Both countries, he added, share complementary advantages in these sectors.
Manila, a leading player in Southeast Asia’s port services industry, could assist Lomé in consolidating its status as a regional logistics hub, leveraging its port of Lomé as a gateway for regional trade.
Italy’s new envoy, Laura Ranali, said Rome aims to reinforce bilateral relations with Lomé in security cooperation, economic development, and cultural exchange. Her statement reflects Italy’s recent push to expand its footprint across West Africa through strategic and people-centered partnerships.
For Togo, these new appointments represent an opportunity to sustain its policy of partnership diversification and international engagement.
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