Togo First
Togo’s Q4 2025 exports reach 253.5 bln CFA francs, India top destination
Togo's exports reached 253.5 billion CFA francs in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to data recently published by the country's national statistics institute, INSEED.
Exports rose 1.7% in value compared with the previous quarter. Year on year, exports climbed 23.4%, outpacing import growth of 9.5%.
The trade deficit narrowed slightly on an annual basis but remained elevated. Imports totalled 536.4 billion CFA francs, leaving a deficit of 282.9 billion CFA francs.
The structure of exports remains concentrated in a handful of products. Phosphates led with 16.2% of external sales (about 41 billion CFA francs), followed by motorcycles at 7.9% and refined petroleum products at 6.6%.
Plastic bags and packaging accounted for 6.4% of exports, soybean meal for 5.8% and beauty products for 5.5%. Refined palm oil (3.6%), soybeans (3.4%), clinker (3.4%) and cocoa (3.1%) rounded out the top 10. Together, the 10 leading products accounted for 61.9% of total exports.
By export destination, India ranked as Togo's top market, taking 18.6% of exports, or 47.2 billion CFA francs, in the fourth quarter of 2025. Côte d'Ivoire came second at 13.4%, followed by Burkina Faso at 11.4%.
Benin (9.4%), Ghana (6.4%), France (5.6%) and the United States (5.1%) were also among the main export markets. Togo's 10 largest customers accounted for 81.2% of total exports in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
African cotton stakeholders in Lomé push productivity to address sector challenges
Lomé on Tuesday hosted the 22nd annual conference of the African Cotton Association (ACA), bringing together key players in the sector across the continent.
The event, organized by the Nouvelle Société Cotonnière du Togo (NSCT), was opened by Tekize Madadozi, secretary general at the agriculture ministry, representing the minister.
Over four days, participants will discuss the sector’s main challenges, share experiences and outline ways to improve productivity and competitiveness. Talks will focus on adapting to climate change, improving quality and traceability, and optimizing production systems.
“These meetings provide an opportunity to share experiences and identify practical solutions to common challenges,” NSCT Director General Martin Drevon said.
Regional summit amid sector pressures
The conference, held alongside the 18th review meeting of the Regional Program for Integrated Cotton Production in Africa (PR-PICA), takes place amid economic uncertainty marked by volatile global cotton prices and rising input costs.
Africa’s cotton industry is also facing increasing requirements on quality and traceability, as well as growing pressure from climate change, which is affecting yields, crop cycles and the sustainability of production systems.
ACA President Kassoum Koné said the sector must adapt quickly through innovation, stronger producer capacity, increased mechanization and better coordination across the value chain. He also called for stronger partnerships to support the sector’s structural transformation.
In Togo, cotton production has rebounded in recent years, supported by sector reforms and efforts to improve coordination among stakeholders. These measures aim to raise yields, strengthen support for farmers and promote more efficient and sustainable practices.
This momentum reflects broader efforts across Africa to build a more competitive and integrated cotton industry, particularly through initiatives discussed within the ACA.
Founded in 2002, the African Cotton Association aims to promote dialogue among industry players, support sustainable development and strengthen the competitiveness of African cotton on international markets.
Gautier Agbekodovi
Agoè-Nyivé 5 rolls out digital portal
The municipality of Agoè-Nyivé 5 has launched its official website, www.agoenyive5.mairie.tg, to improve access to administrative services and serve as a central hub for local information.
The platform will give residents around-the-clock access to information about the municipality, its activities and its officials. Users can also download documents, complete them and submit them in person.
An official involved in the launch, Akoté Charles, said the platform has three objectives: improving access to information, strengthening transparency in local governance and streamlining certain administrative procedures.
Separately, the municipality of Sanguéra has launched a civic fundraising campaign to mobilize financial and material resources for local projects. Several payment channels are available, including Mixx by Yas, Moov Money, a La Poste account, and in-kind donations.
Mayor Gbenyo Kossi Lamadokou opened the campaign with a personal contribution of one million CFA francs.
The funds will be used to purchase heavy equipment, including a hydraulic excavator, a motor grader, a wheel loader, a bulldozer and two dump trucks.
Created in 2017 as part of Togo's decentralization process, the municipality of Agoè-Nyivé 5 was carved out of the former canton of Sanguéra and is part of the Greater Lomé Autonomous District. It has a population of about 130,000 across 28 square kilometers and 19 villages.
R.E.D
West and Central Africa to discuss nutrition policies in Lomé on May 11
Lomé will host a regional conference on nutrition and early childhood development in West and Central Africa on May 11, 2026. The conference is organized by the Togolese government in partnership with the World Bank Group and the Global Financing Facility.
The event will bring together government representatives, international institutions, private sector representatives and civil society organizations. Discussions will focus on implementing large-scale policies, securing sustainable financing and improving data systems.
The issue also has economic implications. Malnutrition affects human capital — the skills and health that determine productivity. Data show that the stunting rate among children in the region fell from 40% in 2000 to 33% in 2024. That pace is insufficient to meet the global target of a 40% reduction by 2030.
Participants will also look at how to strengthen health and nutrition services and improve staff training. The conference aims to identify concrete actions to improve nutritional indicators.
Togo pension fund payouts reach 52.5 bln CFA francs in 2025
Togo's pension fund, Caisse de Retraites du Togo (CRT), disbursed more than 52.5 billion CFA francs in benefits in 2025, according to a recently published statistical and financial report.
The report, seen by Togo First, shows that spending exceeded total revenue of 50.6 billion CFA francs, resulting in a deficit of about 2 billion CFA francs.
A total of 41,833 beneficiaries received payments during the year. Retirees accounted for the largest share, with 27,958 recipients receiving a combined 42 billion CFA francs. Widows received 4.8 billion CFA francs across 7,469 beneficiaries, while 6,196 beneficiaries shared 836 million CFA francs in orphan allowances. Family benefits totalled a further 4.5 billion CFA francs, and disability benefits reached 94 million CFA francs.
On the revenue side, the CRT collected 48.8 billion CFA francs in pension contributions by end-December 2025, accounting for 96.44% of total revenue. Investment income reached 1.3 billion CFA francs, while other revenue — including subsidies, reimbursements and one-off items — amounted to 475 million CFA francs.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo forecasts near-normal rains for July-September, with regional disparities
Togo’s National Meteorological Agency (ANAMET) projected broadly normal rainfall across the country for July-September, according to data published last week.
However, ANAMET highlighted disparities between the north and south during June-August. The north is expected to see below- to near-normal rainfall, while the south should record normal to above-normal levels.
Hydrology forecasts indicate broadly normal to below-normal river flows in the Oti basin in the north, and below-normal flows in the Mono and Lake Togo basins in the south.
Agrometeorological forecasts suggest the agricultural season will start early in the Centrale and Kara regions and on schedule in Savanes. ANAMET urged farmers in Kara to begin preparations, while those in Savanes should wait for planting conditions to stabilize.
Based on these forecasts, authorities advised farmers to prioritize drought-resilient, high-yield crops and avoid flood-prone areas. Efficient management of water resources, including dams and irrigation infrastructure, was also recommended. Farmers were further encouraged to regularly monitor weather updates, including daily and seasonal forecasts.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo climbs 24 places to enter global top 100 in press freedom
Togo rose 24 places to 97th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' (RSF) 2026 World Press Freedom Index, gaining 4.53 points over the past year, according to a report released late last week.
In a year marked by a global decline in press freedom, Togo’s score increased from 48.03 in 2025 to 52.56 in 2026. The improvement moved the country from 121st place into the top 100.
Within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Togo ranked eighth. Ghana (39th globally, 72.20 points), Cape Verde (40th, 71.98 points) and Gambia (46th, 69.42 points) led the region.
Globally, Norway retained first place with 92.72 points, followed by the Netherlands (88.92) and Estonia (88.54). China (178th), North Korea (179th) and Eritrea (180th) ranked at the bottom.
Despite the improvement, RSF said challenges remain, particularly in the economic environment. It also noted that, despite a diverse media landscape, public broadcasters have yet to fully meet their public service mandate. Press freedom, it added, remains closely linked to the broader political context.
Togo has more than 230 media outlets, including nearly 100 radio stations and around 10 television channels. Press freedom is legally recognized and guaranteed. A 2020 law regulates journalism and provides access to information, subject to national security restrictions.
The report also noted that no journalist has been killed in the country while carrying out their work since the start of the year.
Esaïe Edoh
ECOWAS ministers endorse draft legal framework to tackle maritime crime
ECOWAS is stepping up its fight against maritime crime. Justice ministers from the bloc met in the Togolese capital on Thursday to review and endorse a draft supplementary act aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against illegal activities at sea. The meeting was chaired by Togolese Justice Minister Pacôme Adjourouvi.
The 20-article text is designed to establish a shared legal framework to counter rising threats in the Gulf of Guinea. The region continues to face piracy, armed robbery at sea, illicit trafficking, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and marine pollution.
According to Abdel-Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the framework is intended to strengthen member states' ability to prosecute criminal networks operating across national borders.
The draft provides for enhanced mutual legal assistance between states, a clearer framework for extraditions, and improved sharing of information and evidence. It also seeks to facilitate coordinated prosecutions across national jurisdictions, a process often hampered by procedural differences.
For West African economies, the stakes extend beyond security. The Gulf of Guinea's ports play a central role in regional trade, energy imports and customs revenues. Maritime disruptions drive up logistics costs, raise insurance premiums and undermine commercial competitiveness.
Togo, which is banking on the development of the port platform in Lomé, has for several years backed a regional approach to the issue.
Following ministerial endorsement, the text will be submitted to the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council for consideration at the next stage.
R.E.D
Togo employers, unions sign new interprofessional collective agreement
Togo signed a new interprofessional collective bargaining agreement on Thursday, April 30, 2026, ahead of May Day.
The document was signed by representatives of key labour stakeholders after several rounds of negotiations that led to a consensus.
Based on the compromises reached, the new framework draws on the Labour Code and reflects current labour conditions and economic realities in the country.
“The economic performance of our companies is inseparable from the well-being of workers,” said Laurent Coami Tamégnon, president of Togo’s National Employers’ Council (Conseil national du patronat du Togo, CNP).
The agreement covers remuneration, working conditions, safety, training and dispute resolution procedures. It updates provisions adopted in 2011, which the parties said no longer reflect changes in the labour market.
According to the signatories, the new text strengthens workers’ fundamental rights, reinforces the legal framework governing labour relations and incorporates issues such as social dialogue, conflict prevention and improved working conditions.
For the CNP president, “the new interprofessional collective agreement marks a major step forward for social dialogue and provides greater stability for all stakeholders.”
Esaïe Edoh
Togo plans tighter checks, digital tools to tackle uninsured vehicles
The Togolese government is stepping up enforcement in the motor vehicle insurance sector, with roughly 40% of vehicles on the road lacking valid coverage.
The issue was discussed last week at a government meeting chaired by Health Minister Jean-Marie Tessi.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Togolese Insurers Committee (CAT), the TPV motorcycle insurance pool, the Road Safety Directorate (DSR) and representatives of the ECOWAS Brown Card system.
Uninsured vehicles make it harder for accident victims to obtain compensation and undermine the sector’s financial role, authorities said. They also reduce premium income for insurers.
In several African economies, motor vehicle insurance is often an entry-level product into the insurance market. Low penetration therefore limits broader sector growth.
Cross-checks and digital tools planned
To address the issue, the government is considering linking insurance verification to existing mandatory procedures, including motor vehicle tax payments and technical inspections, to improve compliance.
Authorities also plan to expand the use of digital tools, with support from the ECOWAS Brown Card system. This is expected to improve contract traceability, reduce fraud and speed up on-the-ground checks.
The initiative could also support the modernization of the sector in a country where insurance penetration remains low.
R.E.D