Last week, Togo approved two new management guides on neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). The documents were validated on February 28 in Kpalimé. They are expected to help better diagnose and treat skin diseases in Togo, especially in its rural parts. 

This effort is part of a project titled "Improving the Diagnosis and Treatment of Cutaneous NTDs in Togo Using Information and Communication Technologies." The Togolese Society of Dermatology and Sexually Transmitted Infections (SOTODERM) leads the project with support from the German Association for the Fight Against Leprosy and Tuberculosis (DAHW) and the Togolese Ministry of Health. The German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) funds the program. 

The guides provide health workers with descriptions of skin conditions, screening methods, and treatment protocols tailored to local needs. Dr. Gnossikè Piham, who leads Togo's National NTD Programme, said these tools will expand care access in remote areas.

Prof. Picthé Palokinam, SOTODERM's chairman, lauded the partners' dedication and highlighted the guides' importance in addressing NTDs, a major health issue in West Africa.

SOTODERM recently launched a teledermatology project to support areas with high skin disease rates. This initiative allows remote diagnosis and medical follow-ups to improve care in rural regions.

The Togolese public e-services platform recently welcomed three new options. The options were integrated by the National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCy). 

Effectively, the platform’s users can now submit, online, applications for qualifying service providers and security products, and directly request approvals from assessment centers. They can also track their applications in real time and communicate with ANCy using a built-in chat tool. The move falls under the government’s efforts to modernize public administration while addressing the need for secure online transactions in a world increasingly reliant on digital tools.

Launched in 2021, the ANCy was set up to regulate and secure digital activities in Togo.

Russia’s leading sweets maker, United Confectioners (UNICONF), is eyeing Togo’s cocoa market. A delegation from the firm was in Lomé from February to March 4. They were led by Sergey Lyubimov, one of its executives.

The team met with various local businesspeople during their stay. They mostly discussed Uniconf's plans to invest in processing and marketing Togo’s cocoa. The Russian delegation took stock of Togolese regulations and tax policies to evaluate potential partnerships and long-term operations.

According to Togo’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, partnering with Uniconf could boost the local cocoa industry, fostering industrialization and job creation. Cocoa is Togo's third most valuable cash crop, behind cotton and coffee.

Founded in 1804, UNICONF is the leading confectionery company in Russia and Eastern Europe. Present in 45 countries, the giant produces around 360,000 tonnes of sweets yearly.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

On March 4, 2025, Gwilym Ceri Jones, the European Union’s Ambassador to Togo, met with Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah-Dogbé. During the audience in Lomé, Jones and Tomegah-Dogbé reviewed the EU-Togo partnership, focusing on energy, agriculture, and digital technology. 

They also discussed the Global Gateway, an EU investment program supporting sustainable infrastructure in Africa. "We discussed concrete actions in these sectors and explored new opportunities for collaboration," Jones revealed after the meeting.

BlueInvest Africa 2025 Forum

The officials also talked about preparations for the BlueInvest Africa 2025 forum. Launched by the European Commission in 2022, BlueInvest Africa connects African entrepreneurs in the blue economy with international investors. Lomé will host the event next semester.

BlueInvest aligns with Togo's vision to become a regional logistics hub by leveraging its maritime and port strengths. The EU partnership offers Togo a chance to attract investments and modernize its infrastructure.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

South Korea recently provided Togo with $5.7 million to support two major projects–one to boost agriculture and another to fight deforestation. The projects were officially launched on February 28, 2025, in Lomé, in the presence of Moon Dongkyu, representing the South Korean ambassador in Togo.

The first project, "Development of Socio-Economic Infrastructures to Support Rural Communities in Togo", received $3.5 million. It will focus on improving rural infrastructure by installing post-harvest processing solutions, solar-powered systems for agricultural processing, and clean drinking water facilities. Additionally, it will include an incubation program to train young people and women in managing environmentally sustainable businesses.

The second project, "Strengthening People's Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Management of Forest Resources", received $2.2 million. It aims to enhance governance and knowledge-sharing in shea parks, promote reforestation using high-quality shea seedlings, and improve post-harvest practices to increase income. The project seeks to strengthen sustainable shea production and conservation. It will be developed in partnership with local women and youth associations.

While funded by South Korea, the projects are implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute. They align with Togo’s efforts to fight climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

In this regard, Dindiogue Kolani, Director of Cabinet for the Minister of Agriculture, commented: “In the current climate change context, it is imperative that Togo boosts rural communities’ resilience and develop appropriate infrastructure.”

Kolani also stressed global warming’s impact on rural areas: “Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, flooding, and soil degradation heavily impact these communities that rely on natural resources for their livelihoods.”

This funding builds on South Korea’s ongoing support for Togo in agriculture and environmental protection. South Korea is already involved in the Kara Agropole project and has also supported equitable access to essential services for children in northern Togo.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

On March 3, Doufelgou 1 kicked off a general census of taxpayers of non-tax revenues. The campaign aims to bolster the municipality’s financial capacities.

The census is backed by the ProDeG IV program, implemented by GIZ. It will effectively equip the municipality with an up-to-date geographic database of taxpayers.

The operation runs from March 4-11, 2025. Shopkeepers, artisans, service providers, and owners of bars, hotels, and restaurants are targeted. The goal is to identify new revenue streams, improve monitoring of taxpayers, optimize local tax collection, and increase budget transparency.

The municipality has recruited and trained 20 agents to carry out the census. According to Mayor Tchemi Tchambi Tchapkro,  the ongoing campaign will improve financial management and ensure better funding for public services.

Doufelgou 1 is located in the Kara region, northeastern Togo. Its capital district is Niamtougou.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

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 The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) is negotiating to open an office in Togo. CILT Chairman, Chief Teete Owusu-Nortey, met with Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé in Lomé last week to discuss the possibility.

Based in London for over a century, CILT is a professional organization that unites transport and logistics professionals in nearly 100 countries. Its mission consists of improving the logistics and transport sectors by supporting professionals. CILT wants to leverage Togo's strengths to enhance local skills and develop a strong logistics industry.

"The Prime Minister was very receptive to our proposal, which aims to build the capacity of logistics and transport players while improving connectivity," CILT Chairman, Chief Teete Owusu-Nortey declared. The project fits into Togo's national plan to make logistics a key part of its economic growth.
In recent years, the Togolese government has indeed taken several steps to make the country a regional logistics hub. These include projects to improve roads, modernize ports, and expand Lomé International Airport.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo showcased its investment opportunities at the 4th Investopia 2025 forum in Abu Dhabi on February 26-27. The country focused on industries like manufacturing, energy, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure. Manuella Santos, Togo's Minister for Investment, led the presentation.

Une rencontre avec S.E @ABT3891 Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Ministre de l’Economie des Émirats Arabes Unis, a permis de réaffirmer la politique d’ouverture du #Togo, sous le leadership du Président de la République SEM @FEGnassingbe et de mobiliser les investisseurs au profit du… pic.twitter.com/LuN7o58VXS

— Manuella M. Santos (@Manu_EllaSantos) March 1, 2025

Santos primarily highlighted Togo's strategic location in Africa, its modern logistics, and its role as a regional hub. On the sidelines of the forum, she met with Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of Economy, to discuss Togo's efforts to attract foreign investment.

They explored the possibility of signing a reciprocal investment promotion and protection agreement between the two nations.  “We exchanged views on areas of partnership that would benefit both nations,” Santos shared on her X account.

Manuella Santos also met with institutions involved in finance, agribusiness, and energy—sectors important to Togo's economy.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

On March 13 and 14, 2025, Togo’s capital, Lomé, will host a regional roundtable on human capital. This will be the second time the country will host the event. The first round of the Country meetings, which took place in December 2022, was also held in Lomé. 

Initialement prévues pour les 12 et 13 Décembre 2024, les Rencontres Pays Capital Humain, Grand rendez-vous des acteurs nationaux et internationaux de la Gestion des Ressources Humaines se tiendra finalement les 13&14 mars prochains à Lomé. #CapitalHumain #Formation #Togo pic.twitter.com/5ISkhNbhmq

— Expertise Locale Togo (@ExpertLocalTg) January 17, 2025

Themed “Building Human Capital for an Ambitious Togo”, the coming edition is expected to gather over 100 participants from several countries. Talks will focus on education, training, small business growth, talent management, digitalization, artificial intelligence, and corporate social policies.

"The Country meetings were created to imagine and 'design' the most appropriate solutions for the players of today and tomorrow. They are genuine frameworks for exchanges and experience-sharing between decision-makers from the public, para-public, and private sectors, and students, whose aim is to foster the emergence of human capital that meets development ambitions", explained Expertise Locale, promoter of the event.