Togo needs about 320 MW of electricity during peak evening hours, but it currently produces less than 200 MW. According to the Ministry of Mines and Energy, which disclosed the figures, the country fills the 120 MW gap with power purchased from Ghana and Nigeria.

To rely less on external sources, the Togolese government has been working on diversifying and securing its energy supplies. Key plans include building new renewable energy sources, like hydroelectric, biomass, and thermal plants. They also aim to reduce energy losses by improving high-voltage transmission systems. An energy efficiency plan has been created to help optimize consumption.

At a recent energy summit in Lomé, Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé announced that Togo is adding 137 MW of new renewable energy capacity as part of its transition efforts, with a focus on solar power, which is seen as accessible and affordable.

Fossil fuels are still part of the plan. Projects like liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification platforms and storage batteries are being developed to help manage the intermittent nature of solar energy.

Major projects include a 250 MW combined-cycle thermal power plant, a 60 MW hydroelectric dam at Tététou, and smaller hydroelectric plants along with storage batteries.

Public authorities are still working to secure funding for these initiatives.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé attended the inauguration of John Dramani Mahama, Ghana’s new leader, on January 7, 2025. The Togolese presidency confirmed the news via a press release.

This visit shows Togo's commitment to strengthening ties with Ghana, especially in socio-economic and diplomatic areas.

In a previous meeting in Lomé, the two leaders discussed their cooperation on political, economic, and security issues at both national and West African levels.

Togo and Ghana share a border and have strong historical ties, leading to significant trade relations. In 2022, bilateral trade reached $188 million, in favor of Ghana. Togo had exported $75.2 million worth of goods to Ghana while importing $113.3 million. That year, Ghana was Togo's seventh-largest export market, making up 5.6% of Togo's total exports.

Besides trade, Togo and Ghana aim to maintain peace and good relations. This goal is important given the ongoing security and development challenges in the region.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo issued 101,600 visas in 2023, according to the Direction Générale de la Documentation Nationale (DGDN). The figure was recently presented to the National Assembly.

The number represents nearly 6.7% of all entries into Togo in 2023. That year, the country officially recorded 1.52 million entries. The visitors included tourists, and businesspeople, among others. Some visitors were just in transit.

The Togolese government seeks to issue even more visas in the coming years. It expects the number to stand at 120,000 in 2024 (or 20% more than in 2023) and reach 170,000 by 2027.

To hit these milestones, Togolese authorities will improve cooperation with immigration services for better monitoring and processing of visa applications. Another strategy is to promote Togo’s strong economic advantages and cultural assets.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Togolese government has reduced its budget for road maintenance, from CFA16.5 billion in 2024 to CFA13.3 billion in 2025, down nearly 20%. Sani Yaya, Minister of Public Works, shared the figure during a two-day workshop in Lomé, held on December 31, 2024, and January 1, 2025.

Actual Maintenance Requirements Estimated at CFA41 billion

The official emphasized the need to set strategic priorities based on the condition of national roads. The actual amount needed for road maintenance is estimated to be CFA41 billion. National road N°1 is the top priority for maintenance in 2025, followed by other important routes and critical areas of the road network.

User satisfaction survey

To improve road projects, the government is considering a user satisfaction survey. This survey would help assess how well the roadworks meet citizens' needs. The Minister said, “It would be a good idea to introduce a user satisfaction survey on certain sections to help us constantly improve.”

Ayi Renaud Dossavi 

Launched last March, the project to build 21 modular steel and concrete composite bridges across Togo’s five economic regions was 44.9% complete by the end of 2024. The Ministry of Rural Roads provided the update. 

According to initial projections, the project should take 36 months to be completed. However, it is progressing faster than expected.

Costing CFA65 billion, the project is financed by France and Togo. The former provided CFA50 billion, while the latter provided the remaining CFA15 billion. 

The 21 bridges under construction will span 2,271.6 linear meters combined.

The project falls under Lomé’s efforts to open up rural areas, making it easier for people across the country to access basic services and sell their agricultural produce.

The project is steered by Matière, a French firm specializing in building modular metal structures. However, Matière plans to outsource some of the work to local firms through a competitive bidding process.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s tax authority, the OTR, should collect CFA1,210 billion in revenues this year. Philippe Kokou Tchodié, the OTR’s boss, disclosed the forecast last weekend during a staff meeting. 

The projection is 8% more than the 2024 target–CFA1,113 billion. The funds, Tchodié said, will support the 2025 State Budget, which stands at CFA2,397 billion. The money collected by OTR will help boost overall budget revenues.

In detail, the Tax Office plans to collect CFA587 billion, while the Customs and Excise Office aims for CFA613 billion. Tax revenues should thus make up over 81% of total budget revenues, expected to reach CFA1,486 billion. Other revenue sources include non-tax receipts estimated at CFA74 billion and program grants of nearly CFA12 billion, added to project grants from external partners estimated at CFA190 billion.

The OTR has performed well in recent years. In 2023, it collected over CFA1,000 billion, exceeding its initial target of CFA990 billion. For 2024, tax and customs revenue is forecasted at CFA1,042 billion.

Esaïe Edoh

February

Global Shipping Leaders Join Adétikopé Dry Port

In February 2024, the Plateforme Industrielle d'Adétikopé (PIA) welcomed several prominent players from the shipping industry. Edem Kokou Tengue, then Togolese Minister of Maritime Economy, announced this significant development on February 28. Notable companies such as MSC (Italo-Swiss), MAERSK (Denmark), CMA CGM (France), PIL (Singapore), and ONE (Japan) are now part of this logistics hub, marking a pivotal moment for Togo in its ambition to become a major logistics center in West Africa.

Suspension of the Statistical Fee and Facilities for Carriers Bound for Niger

Also in February, the Office Togolais des Recettes (OTR) announced the suspension of the statistical fee (RS) for goods unloaded at the Port of Lomé and in transit to Burkina Faso, Mali, or Niger. 

Originally set at 2% and later reduced to 1% under the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, this fee is intended to fund statistical activities. It was suspended in line with Togo’s ambition to make its port the primary entry point of goods destined for these landlocked countries. Additionally, starting June 1, 2024, Togo introduced a minimum free time of 40 days for containers in transit to Niger.

March

Launch of Construction of 21 Bridges in Togo's Economic Regions

On March 20, 2024, the country kicked off a project to build 21 Unibridge steel-concrete modular bridges in Kolidè, in the Ogou 2 municipality, about 230 km from Lomé. 

Combined, these bridges will span 2,271.6 linear meters across five economic regions: Plateaux, Maritime, Centrale, Kara, and Savanes. 

The project is financed by France and Togo. Out of its total cost of CFA65 billion, France provided CFA50 billion while Lomé added the CFA15 billion remaining. According to current projections, the project should be completed within 36 months. It should enhance inter-regional connectivity and support economic development.

June

PIL Begins Transshipment Operations at the Port of Lomé

Pacific International Lines (PIL), one of Singapore's leading shipping companies, officially launched its transshipment operations at the Port of Lomé on June 19. This milestone was marked by the arrival of the Kota Tema, a state-of-the-art vessel with the capacity to carry over 7,000 containers.

July

Interconnection of Customs Systems with ESA Countries

In July 2024, customs directors from AES countries convened in Niamey and agreed to interconnect their customs IT systems. This initiative aims to facilitate information exchange, secure transit operations, and reduce border delays. An evaluation meeting took place in September in Lomé to assess progress on this interconnection.

August

The Port of Lomé Confirms Its Leadership in Africa for the Fourth Year Running

According to Lloyd's List's 2024 ranking of the world's top ports, the Port Autonome de Lomé (PAL) has maintained its position as West Africa's leading port for four consecutive years. Handling traffic of 1.91 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU), PAL ranks fifth on the continent overall, behind Tangier Med in Morocco (8.61 million TEU), Port Said in Egypt (4.44 million TEU), Durban in South Africa (2.54 million TEU), and Damietta in Egypt (1.97 million TEU). Worldwide, the Port of Lomé ranked 93rd in 2024, jumping one spot compared to the year before. 

September

Complete Dematerialization of International Trade Documents at the Port of Lomé

Togo achieved a major milestone by fully digitizing all formalities related to international trade documents at the Port of Lomé on September 27. This new digital platform allows economic operators to complete all procedures online, including tracking goods an innovation designed to streamline administrative processes and enhance transparency.

October

Yango Suspended

In October 2024, the Togolese government suspended Yango's operations a ride-hailing service owned by Russian tech group Yandex citing that its activities were deemed "illicit." This decision has ignited discussions about regulating digital platforms in Togo and their implications for innovation within the transport sector.

Esaïe Edoh

The agriculture sector has recorded several developments in 2024. Key highlights included increased funding for food security, support for producers, a record cereal harvest, and ongoing efforts to transform value chains through agropoles. Find below a recap of the year.

Government Allocates CFA13 Billion to Bolster Food Security

At the start of 2024, the Togolese government allocated CFA13 billion to food security. The sum, 25% of the Ministry of Agriculture's annual budget, helped support various projects, including a 7-year food security plan (2024-2030), and enhance the capacities of the National Food Security Agency (ANSAT). Both projects aimed to reduce hunger, foster sustainable agriculture, and support farmers.

FSRP Backs 30,000 Farmers

In July 2024, nearly 30,000 vulnerable producers of maize, rice, soybeans, and cowpeas received agricultural input support through the World Bank-funded West African Food System Resilience Program (FSRP-Togo). During a ceremony in Doufelgou in the Kara region (northern Togo), kits with certified seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides were distributed, prioritizing producer organizations and planned agricultural zones (ZAAP).

AfDB and BOAD Provides CFA46.4 billion for agropoles

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) provided a combined financing of CFA46.4 billion for phase 2 of the Togo Agri-Food Processing Project (PTA-Togo), specifically for the Kara agropolis. The investment aimed to boost output in strategic sectors like corn, rice, and soy while reducing food imports.

1.5 million Metric Tons of Cereals

Togo produced 1.5 million metric tons of cereals during the 2023-2024 campaign–a record. Grain output, let it be noted, has been growing steadily since 2019. Corn is the most widely grown cereal, followed by paddy rice and millet-sorghum.

5th National Agricultural Census

Togo launched the 5th National Agricultural Census (RNA-5) in December 2024, 12 years after the last census. The country is thus updating its agricultural data, which is key to planning public policies and guiding investments.

Agriculture employs 60% of Togo’s working population and contributes 40% of its GDP. The sector is a cornerstone of the economy and a key focus for public authorities.

Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Provides $60 Million

The IDB approved financing of $60 million (about CFA36 billion) for Togo on October 14, 2024. This funding aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable populations by enhancing agricultural productivity and income-generating activities for farming households.

4th Market for Agricultural Innovations and Technologies (MITA)

From October 21 to 25, 2024, Lomé hosted the MITA, gathering nearly 150 sub-regional experts. Organized by CORAF, this event focused on improving access to agricultural technologies and innovations, especially in managing plant and animal pests and diseases.

Agricultural Mechanization Program Launched

In March 2024, Togo inaugurated two regional agricultural mechanization centers in Tchitchao and Tové to modernize farming practices and increase productivity.

Construction of Integrated Poultry Complex at Avétonou Begins

On March 28, President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé launched the construction of an integrated poultry complex in Avétonou. Covering 660 hectares, this project aims to modernize poultry farming and enhance food security in Togo. It includes modern farms and facilities promoting sustainable practices.

The complex, built in partnership with PORTEO-GRAINE, includes modern poultry farms, an Institut Technique de Recherche Agricole (ITRA), an Institut de Formation en Alternance et Développement (IFAD-Avétonou), and an ecovillage designed to promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) celebrated on December 31, 2024, the Togolese winners of the 3rd edition of the "Tremplin Startup WAEMU" competition. This edition was held under the theme: "Creative and digital marketing at the service of cultural and creative industries."

Although Togolese entrepreneurs did not win any prize for excellence, three projects were rewarded in the incentive category and are national winners. Artybe, a platform dedicated to booking cultural activities, received CFA6 million for the first incentive prize. Makiffa, specializing in IT and event services, won CFA5 million as second prize. Finally, Klumer,  an event management solution, took third prize, worth CFA4 million.

"The development of start-ups is a key lever for strengthening partnerships between the private sector and civil society," commented Ibrahim Tankari, WAEMU regional advisor. He added that the contest fell under a regional strategy to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Manzinèwè Nathalie Bitho, representative of CCR-WAEMU, added that this initiative aimed to boost competitiveness and promote companies capable of meeting regional challenges.

Finally, Péyébinesso Limaziè of the CCI-Togo lauded creative and digital marketing for providing opportunities to transform cultural industries into growth and wealth drivers across the region.

Overall, eight prizes were awarded in the competition –five regional and three national. Regionwide, 287 people applied, including 94 women or 32.75%.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi