The Téléperformance Kékéli call center in Lomé opened its doors on Thursday, April 24, 2024, in Djidjolé. President of the National Assembly, Sévon-Tépé Kodjo Adédzé, led the inauguration.

The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) backed the project, which cost CFA7.5 billion. The building, which spans 7,200-square-meter, meets international standards. The project was launched in 2022 through a public-private partnership.

More than 1,000 young Togolese now work at the center. Labour Minister Gilbert Bawara expects that number to reach 2,500 by 2029.

“To date, a thousand of our young people are working for this company based in Lomé. And over the next five years, no fewer than 2,500 jobs will also be created for young Togolese. This project has become impressive and a model in this part of Lomé,” said Minister Bawara.

Téléperformance, a global customer relations leader, expands its reach in Togo and West Africa. “Through the Kékéli site, we manage customer relations for international companies in various sectors, including transport,” said Nahid El Jerari, Director of Operations in Togo.

On the same day, officials also opened a building materials factory at the PIA site.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Vivace Group, a Chinese manufacturer of aluminum and plastic construction materials, has recently launched its new factory at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA), Togo’s flagship industrial zone. On April 24, 2025, President of the National Assembly Kodjo Adedze led the inauguration ceremony, marking the plant’s official start of operations.

Vivace invested over CFA8 billion (about £12 million) in this project, which broke ground in August 2023. The factory covers 30,000 square meters inside the PIA, a special economic zone near Lomé. With a yearly production capacity of 10,000 tonnes, the plant targets the booming demand for modern building materials in Togo and neighboring countries. 

Vivace has already hired about 100 young Togolese and plans to create over 600 direct jobs and many indirect jobs in related sectors. Its arrival fits the Togolese government’s push for industrialization to drive growth and cut unemployment. 

Attending the ceremony, Minister of Industry and Investment Promotion Manuella Santos praised the new factory, which she said "illustrates Togo's attractiveness and stability for foreign investors". 

Luo Weivong, Managing Director of Vivace Group, said the choice of Togo was deliberate. He cited “political stability, the quality of the business climate, and the sustained pace of economic growth” as key factors.

The Vivace factory joins a fast-growing industrial ecosystem at the PIA. Since its launch in 2021, the platform, built as a public-private partnership between the Togolese government and Arise IIP, has attracted over twenty local and international companies. The goal is to process raw materials locally, build value chains, and boost Togo’s export capacity.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s public debt hit CFA4,217.73 billion last year, or 69.16% of GDP, up from 66.65% in 2023. The Ministry of Finance disclosed these figures in its Annual Public Debt Report.

The ministry attributed the increase to security spending in northern regions and social programs to offset high living costs. Last year’s performance was below the 70% regional ceiling set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Between 2020 and 2024, total debt surged from CFA2,555.45 billion to CFA4,217.73 billion. External debt alone spiked 82%, climbing from CFA981.28 billion to CFA1,785.17 billion. Domestic debt grew more gradually, hitting CFA2,432.56 billion in 2024, up from CFA1,574.17 billion in 2020.

Debt servicing 

Debt servicing costs intensified pressure on public finances. In 2023, repayments totaled CFA797.19 billion —a 12.91% annual increase—split between principal (399.17 billion) and interest/commissions (153.02 billion).

Authorities insist on maintaining debt sustainability. Their fiscal strategy aims to slash the deficit to 3% of GDP by 2025. Togo raised CFA486.77 billion from financial markets in 2024 and plans to secure 332 billion more on WAEMU markets this year.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

On April 22, 2025, Togo’s Ministry of Agriculture, with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), launched a new initiative to promote agricultural entrepreneurship among young people. The program targets four key sectors: rice, sesame, cashew nuts, and cassava.

The new project aims to strengthen micro and small agricultural businesses by providing technical training, helping young entrepreneurs develop solid business plans, and improving their access to financing.

Agriculture employs nearly two-thirds of Togo’s workforce but faces major challenges like limited financing, low local processing, and climate risks. “Youth entrepreneurship is a key focus of our work,” said Dr. Djiwa Oyétoundé, Programme Officer at FAO-Togo. The program aims to build competitive, inclusive value chains and train a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs who can lead and inspire others.

Beyond agriculture, this effort supports Togo’s broader economic transformation and tackles youth unemployment head-on. The program offers specialized training, business plan assistance, and support to access financing.

Last week, Togo’s National Agency for Grassroots Development Support (ANADEB) handed over 300 socio-economic infrastructures to local communities in the Plateaux, Centrale, and Kara regions.

Governor General Dadja Maganawé delivered 99 structures in the Plateaux region, including classrooms, drinking water boreholes, health centers, and market sheds.

In Sokodé, the prefect of Tchaoudjo received new infrastructure such as school buildings, community centers, photovoltaic boreholes, and markets. The ANADEB built these projects between 2021 and 2024 across 15 municipalities to improve the living conditions of residents in the long term.

In the Kara region, the Agency officially delivered 109 infrastructures, including markets, schools, rural tracks, and youth centers, benefiting 22 communes.

The government financed these infrastructures through the Support Fund for Local Authorities (FACT) and the Support Program for Vulnerable (PAPV). Officials said these projects support grassroots populations and advance decentralization policy.

Datcha’s old textile giant, TOGOTEX, roars back to life. Canadian firm Logistik Unicorp, through its Benart Afrique subsidiary, now owns the factory, which is located 160 kilometers north of Lomé. Last week, Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé inaugurated the facility and declared the rebirth of this symbol of Togolese industry.

The project’s revival required a CFA6 billion investment. The factory, active since October 2023, produces professional, civilian, and military uniforms. Owners want to make it a reference in Togo and West Africa.

“Our ambition goes beyond national borders. Benart Afrique aims to become a regional centre of excellence, capable of meeting the needs of African countries in terms of professional, civil, and military clothing,” says Dominique Kokou Zotoglo, Managing Director of Benart Afrique.

Since resuming activity, the factory has produced over 30,000 military uniforms and more than 60,000 total items. The plant has created over 300 direct jobs–85% of which were secured by women–and more than 600 indirect jobs.

Le 25 avril, j’ai inauguré l’usine Benart Afrique, qui confectionne désormais les tenues militaires, les uniformes de nos forces de défense et de sécurité, ainsi que d’autres tenues professionnelles.

Un renouveau pour le secteur du textile dans notre pays, notamment à Datcha,… pic.twitter.com/0BH8X6foPq

— Victoire Dogbe (@DogbeVictoire) April 26, 2025

The revival fits the government’s push for local processing and skilled jobs. The project enjoys incentives from Togo’s new free zone for textiles and clothing, launched in December 2022.

“Benart Afrique is one of the first industrial projects to have benefited from this scheme, confirming its attractiveness,” says Manuella Santos Modukpè, Minister for Industry and Investment Promotion. “The revival of the Datcha factory is a concrete illustration of Togo’s national industrial recovery strategy.”

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The port of Lomé was busy last year, with total traffic reaching 30.64 million tonnes, up from 30.09 million tonnes in 2023. Rear-Admiral Fogan Kodjo Adégnon, the port’s General Manager, reported the figures on April 23.

Transshipment led the gains with a 7.11% jump to 20.23 million tonnes, up from 18.89 million tonnes the previous year. Imports slipped 3.77% to 8.58 million tonnes, while exports dropped sharply by 19.72% to 1.83 million tonnes, down from 2.28 million tonnes in 2023.

Container traffic, a key logistics benchmark, grew 5.19% to 2 million TEUs, compared to 1.91 million TEUs the year before. Maritime traffic saw 1,525 ships dock in 2024, a 1.97% decline from 1,554 in 2023. However, commercial vessels increased slightly from 1,411 to 1,440.

Port officials attribute the results to various reforms, especially the full digitization of goods collection and electronic invoice payments. One of these reforms is the GUFORD platform. Launched recently,  this digital tool centralizes and secures document exchanges and declarations for maritime trade.

Rear-Admiral Adégnon said the numbers show the port’s resilience amid regional challenges. “Despite the challenges and competition in the sub-region, the past year has confirmed our position as a strategic logistics hub, thanks to the commitment of our teams and partners,” he said. He added, “In 2025, we remain resolutely focused on innovation, modernization, and sustainable performance to meet maritime trade demands.”

This article was initially launched in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo is building a new ophthalmology clinic at the Centre hospitalier préfectoral (CHP) in Vogan, about 40 kilometers northeast of Lomé. Construction began last week after a groundbreaking ceremony led by Wotobe Kokou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Health.

“The future ophthalmology clinic will be the largest in the country. It will embody the best that Togo knows how to do in terms of health, and the best that Togo wants to do, in terms of taking care of the well-being of its fellow citizens,” said Kokou.

ToGo Opening Eyes, a Swiss organization, fully funded the project, with CFA705 million. 

The facility aims to boost specialized eye care in Togo, focusing on diagnosing, treating, and performing surgery for eye diseases, especially cataracts, a leading cause of blindness in the country.

Once completed, the clinic will be one of the most modern in Togo and is expected to become a national reference point. It should also help unclog specialist centers in Lomé and raise the quality of care.

The project fits into broader government-led health reforms. Since January 2024, Togo has launched a Universal Health Insurance program to expand fair access to healthcare, especially for vulnerable groups.