The Kingdom of Denmark, the State of Palestine and Liberia have appointed new accredited ambassadors to Togo.

The diplomats presented their credentials to President Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové during an official ceremony in Lomé on Wednesday, March 4. The envoys are Jacob Linulf for Denmark, Musu Jatu Ruhle for Liberia and Muhannad M. A. Alhammouri for the State of Palestine.

Their mission is to strengthen cooperation between their countries and Togo in several sectors.

Denmark aims in particular to deepen its partnership with Togo in the maritime economy. According to its ambassador, the country also intends to support the development of agriculture, training and the green transition.

Liberia, through its new ambassador, plans to promote initiatives to boost trade and strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the economic and security sectors.

Palestine, represented by Muhannad M. A. Alhammouri, aims to give new momentum to ties with Togo. The diplomat also mentioned plans to open a Palestinian embassy in Lomé in the near future.

For the Togolese authorities, the accreditation of these ambassadors reflects the country’s commitment to pursuing an open and diversified diplomacy, based on strengthening partnerships with states around the world.

Togo and Japan have entered a new phase of bilateral cooperation focused on strengthening higher education. Professor Gado Tchangbedji, Minister Delegate for Higher Education and Scientific Research, recently met with Japan’s ambassador to Togo, Junji Gomakudo. The meeting signals a deeper phase of academic cooperation between the two countries, according to official information.

Reforming academic mobility and applied research
The discussions focused primarily on reforming student and academic mobility programs. They aim to establish direct partnerships between Togolese public universities and Japanese institutions.

This cooperation is expected to lead to more joint research projects, particularly in technological innovation and applied research, in line with the Togolese government’s development priorities.

Improving scholarship programs
Another key issue discussed was the improvement of scholarship funding mechanisms. Currently administered through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the programs are under review. The aim is to simplify application procedures and increase the number of Togolese beneficiaries. Priority fields include engineering, robotics and agronomy.

For the Togolese government, the partnership offers an opportunity to strengthen the country’s human capital. It comes as authorities seek to better align education with labour market needs and develop high-value academic programs.

R.E.D

The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) has cut its key interest rates by 0.25 percentage points to support economic recovery across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), which includes Togo and seven other countries that share the CFA franc.

The decision was announced by the BCEAO Monetary Policy Committee on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, in Dakar. Effective March 16, the main refinancing rate will fall from 3.25% to 3.00%, while the marginal lending facility rate will decline from 5.25% to 5.00%.

The move comes as deflation persists in the currency union. Inflation stood at -0.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025, after reaching -1.4% the previous quarter. Over the full year, consumer prices were broadly unchanged, largely due to strong local harvests and lower prices for imported food products. The central bank expects inflation to rise gradually to 1.4% in 2026.

Economic activity in the region remains resilient. WAEMU GDP grew by 6.7% in 2025, up from 6.2% in 2024, supported by the agricultural, extractive and manufacturing sectors.

Growth is projected at 6.4% in 2026. At the same time, bank lending to the economy increased by 5.6%, indicating a moderate improvement in financing conditions.

Within the union, Togo continues to post solid growth, with real GDP estimated to have expanded by 6.3% in the third quarter of 2025. The expansion was driven mainly by the secondary sector, where output rose by 9.1%.

Extractive industries (+16.6%) and construction (+22.9%) were the main drivers of this momentum, supported by investments in logistics infrastructure and the development of industrial zones.

Price pressures in Lomé remain subdued and in line with the union’s objectives. Year-on-year inflation stood at 0.0% in January 2026, continuing a downward trend that began in 2024.

Despite improving foreign trade, supported by exports of oil and gold, the central bank remains cautious. Governor Jean-Claude Kassi Brou said the institution would stay vigilant in the face of global geopolitical risks and volatility in agricultural commodity prices in order to safeguard the region’s financial stability.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo will host a delegation of Turkish business leaders in May when members of the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) visit the capital, Lomé. The mission aims to strengthen ties with the Togolese private sector and boost bilateral trade.

The visit was announced last week by Coami Laurent Tamegnon, president of the National Council of Employers of Togo (CNP-Togo). The visit follows a recent Turkish economic mission to Togo, during which 17 companies from the infrastructure, tourism, agriculture and technology sectors took part in a Togo-Turkey business forum held in Aného.

The upcoming meeting is expected to revive discussions launched during those exchanges and explore new partnership opportunities. It will also allow participants to follow up on contacts made between businesses from both countries at the 14th World Cooperation Industry Forum (WCI), which was held in Istanbul last February and attended by CNP-Togo.

The visit comes as Lomé and Ankara seek to boost bilateral trade. To that end, the two sides have recently discussed a project for a direct logistics corridor linking the Port of Lomé with Turkey’s port of Mersin to facilitate trade and reduce transport costs.

Trade between Togo and Turkey has grown steadily in recent years, rising from $128 million in 2021 to more than double that amount in 2025, according to official data.

Esaïe Edoh

Southern Togo could face heavy rainfall and flooding during the 2026 rainy season, which typically runs from March to July. Climate experts warn that above-average rainfall may occur in the first half of the season across several coastal areas of the Gulf of Guinea.

The forecasts were presented in Lomé during the PRESAGG 2026 regional forum, organized by the AGRHYMET Regional Centre with meteorological services from Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria.

According to the experts, the southern regions of these countries, including Togo, could see above-average rainfall between March and May. This may increase flooding risks, particularly in densely populated coastal cities where drainage infrastructure is often inadequate.

Forecasts also indicate an early to normal start to the rainy season, an early to normal end, and short to normal dry spells. In coastal basins, river flows are expected to be average to above average.

Climatologists are therefore urging authorities and communities to strengthen prevention measures. They recommend limiting settlement in flood-prone areas, raising public awareness and reinforcing disaster management systems.

The outlook comes after a period of climate disruptions in Togo. In late 2025 and early 2026, rising sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Guinea contributed to unusual rainfall, altering seasonal wind and rainfall patterns in the south of the country.

Like several of its West African neighbours, Togo is experiencing increasingly pronounced seasonal variability, highlighting the need for closer monitoring of climate conditions to anticipate risks for populations and agriculture.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo plans to acquire new road traffic control equipment for the Lomé-Cotonou corridor. The government has launched a tender for the installation of fixed axle scales at the Sanvee Condji and Hillacondji joint border control posts between Togo and Benin.

The project forms part of the second phase of a multinational Lomé-Cotonou road rehabilitation programme linked to a coastal protection initiative supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The contract covers the supply and installation of two weighing systems designed to monitor vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes. The work is expected to last five months and includes the construction of a new weighing cabin, the rehabilitation of an existing cabin of the same size, and the construction of a reinforced concrete platform to house the equipment.

The systems will measure truck loads both statically and at low speeds. They are expected to improve freight traffic control on the corridor linking the ports of Lomé and Cotonou and reduce road degradation caused by vehicle overloading. Interested companies can obtain the tender documents from the ministry.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togolese municipalities are seeking to expand their international presence and strengthen partnerships abroad under a new support project launched on Monday, March 2.

The initiative, led by the Federation of Togolese Municipalities (FCT), began with a workshop in Kara bringing together mayors and municipal secretaries-general from the participating local authorities.

Participants attended two days of training focused on decentralized cooperation, territorial marketing and public communication strategies. Sessions also covered the identification of international municipal networks and the development of municipal action plans.

According to the organizers, the objective is to help municipalities improve their international visibility and establish partnerships with municipalities in France, Europe and Africa.

Expanding international ties

In this context, municipalities are encouraged to seek partnerships with foreign cities to mobilize funding, share expertise and support local development projects.

The initiative receives technical and financial support from the French Embassy in Togo through the Support Program for Territorial Governance in Togo (PAGT 2025-2027). It aims to strengthen the capacities of local authorities in decentralized cooperation and international engagement.

The project will run for 18 months, from July 2025 to December 2026. It involves 20 municipalities selected mainly from those that currently have no active decentralized cooperation partnerships.

The initiative is part of the broader Support Program for the Decentralization Process in Togo, which promotes cooperation between local authorities as a tool for resource mobilization and local development.

Participating municipalities include Blitta 3, Mô 2, Tchamba 3, Agoè-Nyivé 1, Golfe 3, Bassar 3, Zio 4, Kloto 3, Haho 4 and Oti-Sud 1.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Support for communities in northern Togo, where security threats persist, was the focus of a meeting held on Monday, March 2, 2026, in Lomé between the Togolese government and a delegation from the World Bank Group.

Talks reviewed the first cycle of the Prevention and Resilience Allocation (PRA-IDA20), which has now been completed.

Togo was represented by Sandra Johnson, Secretary of the Presidency of the Council. The World Bank delegation was led by Marie-Chantal Uwanyiligira, Country Director for Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Guinea and Togo. Discussions addressed policy priorities aimed at preventing violent extremism, strengthening community resilience and improving local security.

Review of initiatives

The meeting also assessed the impact of several initiatives launched in recent years. These include the Inter-ministerial Committee for the Prevention and Fight Against Violent Extremism (CIPLEV), Operation Koundjoaré and the Emergency Program for Strengthening Community Resilience and Security (PURS), which has since been expanded nationwide.

The discussions helped identify lessons from the first PRA cycle under IDA20 and outline priorities for future commitments under IDA21. The aim is to ensure that upcoming financing and programs are aligned with Togo’s national priorities and adapted to local conditions, particularly in areas most exposed to security risks.

Building on progress

According to Sandra Johnson, Togo’s priority is to build on recent progress and further strengthen community resilience, which the government considers central to a long-term prevention strategy in vulnerable regions.

Since 2022, the World Bank Group has supported Togo through several funding initiatives designed to protect communities in the country’s northern regions. The institution notably backs multisectoral projects under the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP-Togo) and PURS, contributing to the stabilization and socio-economic development of fragile areas.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo and Belarus to expand cooperation in agriculture. The terms of the partnership were discussed in Lomé during recent talks between Togo’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources and Food Sovereignty, Antoine Lekpa Gbegbeni, and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov.

Delegations from the two countries met on Monday, March 2, 2026, and agreed to develop a partnership covering agricultural mechanization, irrigation and access to fertilizers. The cooperation would also include the supply of seeds, the development of integrated livestock projects, research, and capacity building for agricultural sector stakeholders. These areas align with Togo’s strategy to modernize agriculture and transform the sector.

For Lomé, the collaboration could help accelerate the modernization of a sector that remains a key pillar of the national economy. Belarus has a well-developed engineering industry that manufactures tractors, agricultural machinery and mining equipment. It could therefore support the sector by providing equipment needed to intensify production and develop agro-industrial processing.

A draft memorandum of understanding is expected soon to formalize the cooperation framework. The Belarusian delegation also invited Togolese officials to take part in an international agricultural fair, where they would be able to visit agricultural equipment manufacturing plants and attend technical demonstrations.

Esaïe Edoh