Last year, the Institut de Conseil et d'Appui Technique (ICAT) provided over CFA1 billion in agricultural financing, benefiting 12,310 farmers, including 4,770 women. 

The ICAT’s main mission is to organize producers and integrate them into agricultural value chains. So far, it has helped set up 1,408 cooperatives with nearly 30,000 members. These cooperatives were connected to aggregators, generating CFA4.2 billion in turnover, according to a report cited by Union pour la Patrie.

The ICAT also supported 19,574 farmers with mechanized farming tools, enabling the tiling of more than 37,000 hectares. Additionally, it established 693 school fields and 170 demonstration units to promote modern farming techniques.

Under its modernization strategy, the ICAT monitored 229 Planned Agricultural Development Zones (ZAAP) in 2024. These zones covered 26,502 hectares and involved 27,019 producers, including 11,055 women.

The Togolese government aims to improve these results by 2025 by diversifying funding sources, increasing mechanization efforts, and adopting innovative agricultural technologies. So far, certified seed coverage has risen from 4.2% to 12% for maize and 6% to 15% for rice.

The Togolese government is taking a bold step to empower women entrepreneurs. On March 11, 2025, a mobile ID operation kicked off at Adawlato Market, issuing national identity cards to female vendors. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection in partnership with EPAM, brings essential services directly to informal sector workers.

The campaign, running until March 13, slashes the wait time for ID cards from 15 days to just 48 hours. Somialo Potcholi-Kadja, EPAM’s Managing Director, emphasized, “This initiative simplifies access to vital documents and boosts women’s participation in formal banking.”

By 2022, only 460,000 Togolese women had national ID cards, compared to 866,000 men. This gap hinders their access to bank loans, digital services, and international trade. The government is determined to close this gap and unlock economic opportunities for women.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Star Garments Group Limited is about to start operating at the Plateforme Industrielle d'Adétikopé (PIA). Helped by the National Employment Agency (ANPE), the subsidiary of Charles Komar & Sons is recruiting applicants for training in the textile industry.

The ANPE announced that applications will be accepted until March 21, 2025. Applicants must be Togolese nationals aged between 18 and 35, proficient in French, and have an education level between the fourth and final year of secondary school. They must also be available immediately and willing to undergo professional training before being hired. Applicants are expected to demonstrate impeccable integrity.

The recruitment is part of a larger plan by Star Garments Group to create over 4,500 direct and indirect jobs by 2030, with priority given to women. In July 2024, the company secured $15 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support its textile and garment production activities in Togo.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo is gearing up for the second phase of its National Water Development Programme (PND Eau), a project backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the French Development Agency (AFD). Last week, these institutions met with Togolese authorities to map out the investment strategy for this new phase. The first phase ended on December 31, 2025, 

Its new phase will focus on urban centers in the Savanes region and semi-urban centers in the Kara and Plateaux regions. It will involve work in five urban centers in Savanes, including Dapaong, Cinkassé, Tandjouaré, Mandouri, and Gando, as well as seven semi-urban centers in Kara and Plateaux, including Korbongou, Gandi, Kabou, Soudou-Tchalimdè, Amou-Oblo, Glei, and Wahala.

During their mission, EIB representatives assessed the project's strategic directions and the progress of the first phase to adjust their financial support. Launched in June 2020, the first phase secured €40 million in financing (around CFA26 billion). 

The coming phase covers 30 centers within the ToE's operating perimeter, including localities like Kpémé, Djagblé, Vogan, Tabligbo, Kévé, Élavagnon, Amou, Tohoun, Amlamé, Anié, Danyi, Atakpamé, Agou, Kpalimé, Adjengré, Sotouboua, Sokodé, Tchamba, Kara, Niamtougou, Kanté, Kabou, Kétao, Pagouda, Pya, Bassar, Bafilo, Kouka, Mango, Dapaong, and Tandjouaré.

The PND Eau aims to expand and modernize infrastructure for mobilizing, producing, and distributing drinking water in urban and semi-urban areas, ensuring a viable financial model for all parties. It also seeks to establish a contractual framework involving private partners in managing drinking water mini-networks, provide detailed studies and master plans for the country's main urban centers, and improve the operational performance of the ToE.

Esaïe Edoh

On International Women's Rights Day, March 8, 2025, Ecobank Togo launched an upgraded version of its Ellever program, designed to boost financial inclusion and empower women-led businesses. The initiative targets female entrepreneurs, leaders, and salaried women, and focuses on young entrepreneurs and companies with major female ownership or leadership.

Togo's Minister of Trade, Rose Kayi Mivedor, praised the move, citing a World Bank study that shows women-run micro-businesses in Togo outperform those led by men. She highlighted government efforts like Projet d’Appui à l’Inclusion Financière des Femmes Vulnérables (PAIFFV) to enhance financial inclusion for vulnerable women.

Eusèbe Afoutou, Acting Managing Director of Ecobank Togo, emphasized that the program tackles key challenges such as access to finance and gender stereotypes. Ecobank has previously disbursed CFA2 billion to the Association des Revendeuses de Pagne du Togo, underscoring its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo's Senate, the second chamber of parliament, is now fully operational with 61 members. The President of the Republic appointed 20 senators, while 41 were elected through senatorial elections.

In the senatorial elections, the UNIR party emerged victorious with 34 senators, followed by the BATIR party with 2 senators. The UFC, CLE, LTA, and ADDI parties each secured one seat, along with one independent. The UNIR party dominates the Togolese Senate, holding more than 80% of the seats, according to the official results from the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI).

Full List of the Senate

Elected Representatives

• Agoè-Nyivé: KPODO Adjowa (UNIR) and BANYBAH Afiwavi Enyonam Vicenzia (BATIR) were elected.
• Avé: ATSOU Ayawo (BATIR) won a seat.
• Bas-Mono: AFANGBEDJI Komlanvi Sédoufia (UFC) was elected.
• Gulf: OLYMPIO Adeblewo Kossi (Independent "Les Deux Bisons") and KOSSI Agbeboume (CLE) secured seats.
• Lakes: AQUEREBURU Alexis John Koffi Darwin (UNIR) was elected.
• Vo: ALOGNON Anani Akoete (UNIR) won a seat.
• Yoto: AGBABLI Koffi (LTA) was elected.
• Zio: GOMADO Kwami (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Agou: PANIAH Kofi Agbenoxevi (UNIR) was elected.
• Akebou: BLAMCK Koffi Leeye (UNIR) won a seat.
• Amou: MALLY Komlan (UNIR) was elected.
• Anié: OGOUHOUNDE Kokou (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Danyi: AGBEFLE Koffi Ganyo (ADDI) was elected.
• Est-Mono: AGO BAZAA Bawbady (UNIR) won a seat.
• Haho: ADADJI Koffi Efanam (UNIR) was elected.
• Kloto: ATUTONU Amah (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Kpélé: APETSIANYI Agbobli Eli Déla (UNIR) was elected.
• Moyen-Mono: SOSSOU Viwoto Sewonou Yaovi (UNIR) won a seat.
• Ogou: OTIMI Kossiwa Nemonha (UNIR) was elected.
• Wawa: SESSENOU Kwadjo Fiatuwo (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Blitta: GNAHOUAME Atchou (UNIR) was elected.
• Mo: MAGNETINE Assindah (UNIR) won a seat.
• Sotouboua: AMELETE Bawoumondom (UNIR) was elected.
• Tchamba: DRAMANI Dama (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Tchaoudjo: CISSE Alilou Sam-Dja (UNIR) was elected.
• Assoli: BAH-TRAORE Baba Dogo (UNIR) won a seat.
• Bassar: DJATO Tassounti (UNIR) was elected.
• Binah: DIOGO Koudjolou (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Dankpèn: YAGNINIM Bitokotipou (UNIR) was elected.
• Doufelgou: AYASSOR Adji Oteth (UNIR) won a seat.
• Kéran: NASSOU Alouadjou Katou (UNIR) was elected.
• Kozah: WALLA EDJAIDE Pehena Paganao (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Cinkassé: KANKPE-KOMBATH Gnitiguine Boule (UNIR) was elected.
• Kpendjal: SAMBIANI Yentema Augustin (UNIR) won a seat.
• Kpendjal West: BOLALE Gnoate (UNIR) was elected.
• Oti: DE POUKN Mantode (UNIR) secured a seat.
• Oti Sud: LAMBONI Mindi (UNIR) was elected.
• Tandjouaré: BARNABO Nampoukime (UNIR) won a seat.
• Tone: BARQUE Barry Moussa (UNIR) was elected.
  

Senators Appointed

The President of the Republic appointed the following senators:

• ABOUGNIMA K. Molgah
• AKOUETE Yaovi Beliki
• ALIPUI Sénanu Koku
• AZIABLE Koami N'kunu
• BALOUKI-LEGUEZIM Bernadette
• BATIKRANA Kpenta wife BALAKA
• BOURAÏMA Inoussa
• DANGBUIE Afi Xolali Pascaline
• DJIDONOU Akpénè
• JOHNSON Togbé Ampah
• KABOUA Essokoyo Abass
• KAGBARA Uleija Y. M. Innocent
• KOFFIGOH Kokou Joseph
• KOLANI Lardja
• KOUVAHEY Amoko Holadem
• KPEGBA Kafui
• LAMBONI-KABISSA Issoyotou
• SANKAREDJA Moni wife SINANDJA
• SANT'ANNA Edwige Clara Ayawovi widow AYAYI-ATAYI
• TCHASSONA Traoré Mouhamed

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

On March 7, 2025, Togo's National Assembly approved the budget settlement laws for the 2020 and 2021 financial years. This move is crucial for ensuring transparency and good governance in public finances. It also provides an opportunity to review the implementation of the budget during these two years.

The parliamentary notes reveal that in 2020, the Treasury collected CFA1,612.6 billion. That was 96.2% of the sum expected that year–CFA1,676.8 billion. Meanwhile, committed expenditure was CFA1,509.9 billion, resulting in a surplus of CFA102.8 billion for that year. This surplus was largely due to actual spending being lower than projected.

In 2021, revenue increased to CFA1,641.2 billion, with a budget implementation rate of 96.4%. Expenses totaled CFA1,613.9 billion, against CFA1,702.9 billion anticipated, reflecting a surplus of CFA27.3 billion.

Over these two years, Togo recorded a consolidated surplus of CFA129 billion. According to Pacôme Adjourouvi, Minister for Human Rights and Citizenship Training, these results reflect rigorous public finance management and the government's commitment to enhancing budget transparency.

These years coincided with the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, marked by economic contraction and major budgetary efforts to address the pandemic's economic and social impacts both nationally and internationally.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi