The Ministry of the Environment launched a three-day technical meeting in Lomé on Monday, May 12, 2025. The meeting aims to build national capacities to mobilize climate financing. It forms part of the project supporting the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The event gathered government officials, civil society members, technical and financial partners, and specialist consultants.

The meeting focuses on improving the quality of projects submitted to donors by making them more "bankable." Climate financing mechanisms require precise standards. Méry Yaou, Director of the Environment, emphasized, "Each mechanism has its own procedures. We need to master them to transform our ideas into solid projects in line with international requirements."

Togo is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions under its Nationally Determined Contributions. However, authorities admit the country struggles to secure enough financial resources to implement priority actions in agriculture, forestry, industrial processes, water, and transport sectors.

Eya Kafui Ahawo, the project coordinator, said the initiative aims to equip local players with practical tools. These tools will help maximize their chances of securing funding and advancing Togo’s climate agenda. The focus will remain on priority sectors identified nationally.

The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) supports the meeting. Togo officially joined GGGI in 2023.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

More than half of Togolese, 54%, support joining the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) instead of remaining in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The conclusion comes from an Afrobarometer survey carried out last November. The survey, covering 1,200 people, aligns with Foreign Minister Robert Dussey’s early 2025 statement about Togo’s interest in joining AES.

Men favor joining AES more than women, with 57% versus 50%. Urban residents support AES membership at 59%, while only 49% of rural respondents agree. Support peaks in the Central region at 74%, followed by Lomé Commune at 64% and the Savanes region at 60%. Meanwhile, 36% want Togo to stay in ECOWAS, criticizing it as dominated by coup-born regimes that hinder West African integration.

In March 2025, Dussey publicly raised the possibility of joining AES, stirring debate among Togolese politicians and international observers.

This survey appears amid tense relations between AES and some ECOWAS members. Despite this, Togo strengthens economic ties with AES, notably by making Lomé’s port the main supply route for Burkina Faso and Niger.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

On May 9, 2025, Togo raised CFA22 billion through a public securities auction on the West African Monetary Union (WAMU) market, surpassing its CFA20 billion target. The Togolese Treasury issued fungible treasury bills (BAT) in a double tranche, attracting 28 investors who offered CFA60.3 billion. This resulted in a coverage rate of 301.51%, signaling strong demand for Togo’s short-term debt.

Investors subscribed CFA31 billion to the 182-day Treasury bills and CFA29.2 billion to the 364-day bills. The Treasury accepted CFA7 billion from the 182-day tranche and CFA15 billion from the 364-day tranche. With this operation, Togo has raised CFA187.5 billion on the regional market since the start of 2025, achieving over half of its annual CFA332 billion target.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliamentarians met in Lomé from May 6 to 9, 2025. They adopted recommendations to lower air ticket prices across West Africa. They urged governments to scrap several taxes starting January 1, 2026, to cut air travel costs.

At the session’s close in Lomé, lawmakers demanded the removal of four taxes: ticket tax, tourism tax, solidarity tax, and foreign travel tax. They also pushed for a 25% cut in passenger service and airport security charges.

Fanta Conté, co-president of the presidium, declared, “It is imperative to act to make air transport accessible and competitive.” 

The parliamentarians aim for a deep reform of air transport taxation. They proposed a regulatory framework to cap taxes and fees, create a regional fund to support airlines, and establish a single West African airspace. This airspace would pool infrastructure and lower operating costs.

The meeting’s data showed ECOWAS taxes and fees are 103% higher than other regions. Security costs exceed global averages by 70%, and government taxes by 47.4%. These surcharges push ticket prices up by 20% on domestic flights, 48.6% on regional routes, and 36.5% on international flights.

Mamadou Sako, co-chairman of ECOWAS Parliament’s joint infrastructure committee, called the issue political. “The facts are in, and the solutions have been identified. What is needed now is a firm and collective will to turn this corner and strengthen regional integration,” Sako said.

The parliamentarians also pleaded for the establishment of a monitoring committee to ensure these measures follow the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo’s Ministry of the Civil Service and Social Dialogue expanded its health staff recruitment to include anthropology specialists. The ministry announced this extension at the end of last week. The competitive exam launched on March 31, 2025, welcomes applicants with bachelor’s or master’s degrees in anthropology.

The ministry targets Togolese nationals aged 18 to 40 holding these degrees. Volunteers, contract workers, and pensionable staff can also apply if they are up to 45 years old. To accommodate these new candidates, the ministry extended the application deadline from May 9 to May 16 at 5 p.m. The written exam date remains May 31, 2025.

Togo’s authorities want anthropologists to help understand socio-cultural factors affecting health behavior. These specialists will analyze community beliefs, practices, and perceptions. This move aims to improve health outcomes by integrating social insights into the health sector.

The recruitment forms part of Togo’s broader civil service expansion plan. In 2025, the government plans to hire 14,120 agents across various sectors. This effort supports the state’s commitment to enhancing public services and social coverage.

This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The third phase of the Equity Programme started in Togo on May 6, 2025. Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF) leads the initiative with the French Development Agency (AFD) and French Global Environment Facility (FFEM). The four-year program runs simultaneously in Togo, Benin, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire. A budget of €8 million has been allocated to the initiative.

Equity aims to boost incomes and improve living conditions for small-scale producers. It focuses on three key areas: developing Fair Trade-certified supply chains, promoting agroecological transition, and professionalizing agricultural cooperatives.

Komlan Edem Akomola, the program manager for West Africa, said, “It is important to support players, especially small producers, to make a better living from their trade in a context where new international regulations are being imposed, particularly on deforestation and child labour.”

The program will roll out training with institutions like ANADER to teach hundreds of cooperative technicians about agroforestry, traceability, and bio-input use.

Building on the successes of phases 1 and 2, the program plans to scale up local innovations. Kossi Djifa, Director of Agricultural Production at Togo’s Ministry of Agriculture, said, “This program complements the government's efforts to make agriculture an engine of inclusive growth.”

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The University of Lomé (UL) plans to launch a business language centre and a business school to better connect university training with the private sector. UL President Adama Kpodar and Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIT) President José Syménouh discussed these projects on May 7, 2025.

The Chamber of Commerce aims to align university skills with job market needs amid Togo’s economic transformation and growing international ties. The business language centre will offer foreign language training, focusing on English and Chinese, for students, young professionals, and economic operators.

The courses will target practical skills in trade, negotiation, international cooperation, and business relations. The goal is to help local economic players integrate into international trade and boost their global competitiveness.

The planned business school will emphasize practical and innovative programs. It will offer courses in management, finance, international trade, and digital transformation, including internships and professional immersion. Project leaders want to train entrepreneurs and managers with operational skills to support Togo’s economic changes.

Officials expect to sign a memorandum of understanding soon. They say this agreement will mark a major step in reforming higher education in Togo. UL and the Chamber of Commerce reaffirm their commitment to building an economy based on 

knowledge, innovation, and skills.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The African Development Bank (AfDB) will help finance a 62 MWp solar power plant in Sokodé, central Togo. The AfDB board approved the project on May 8, 2025. It will back the initiative with €26.5 million  (about CFA17.4 billion).

The project aligns with Togo’s goal to reach 200 MWp of renewable energy by 2030. EDF Group will design, build, and run the plant, with co-financing from Proparco, the private sector arm of the French Development Agency (AFD).

The AfDB funding splits into two loans: €18.5 million from the AfDB itself and a €8 million concessional loan from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the pan-African bank.

The project’s total cost is €61 million. It will include an 11 km transmission line, and the solar plant will generate 87 GWh yearly. This output will cut CO₂ emissions by 13,600 tonnes annually. It will also improve access to clean, reliable, and cheap energy in Togo.

Kevin Kariuki, AfDB Vice President for Energy, called the Sokodé solar project a "landmark achievement." The solar power plant will strengthen energy security in Togo.

Recently, Togo began building another solar power plant in Dapaong, which should be ready in 13 months. 

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho