Transport technology platform Gozem has raised $30 million to speed up its expansion in French-speaking Africa. The financing, including equity and debt, is led by SAS Shipping Agencies Services Sàrl, a subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, and Al Mada Ventures.

Launched in Lomé in 2018, Gozem is a ride-hailing Super App offering mobility, delivery, digital ticketing, and financing services. With the new funds, Gozem plans to expand further across West and Central Africa, improve its drivers' experience, by providing access to new vehicles, and launch Gozem Money, an innovative digital banking solution.

Diego Aponte, Chairman of MSC Group, views this partnership as part of the Group's commitment to developing innovative mobility and logistics solutions in Africa. Omar Laalej, Managing Director of Al Mada Ventures, praises Gozem's inclusive and reliable model, which meets the growing demand for accessible digital services on the continent.

"We are delighted to welcome MSC Group and Al Mada Ventures as strategic investors. Their expertise in logistics and financial services in Africa will be a valuable asset to develop our Super App rapidly and expand into new markets. Having leaders of this caliber by our side fully validates our vision and ambitions," said Gregory Costamagna and Raphaël Dana, co-founders of Gozem.

Gozem currently operates in Togo, Benin, Gabon, and Cameroon. It boasts over one million users and over 30 million rides since its inception.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The Togolese branch of Coris Bank International, part of a Burkina Faso banking group, reported that its total assets grew from CFA428 billion in 2021 to CFA528 billion by September 2024, thus up 23%. 

The bank's director, Alassane Kaboré, reported the figure on the sidelines of the lender's 10th anniversary on February 20, in Lomé. The surge confirms the bank's growth dynamic; In 2021, Coris was Togo’s third largest bank by assets.

By the end of September 2024, customer deposits were at CFA310 billion. Meanwhile, credits net of provisions were at CFA206.9 billion,  up 15.7% compared to September 2023.

Coris Bank Togo claims to take a unique approach to banking and currently serves over 79,000 banking customers and 196,000 users of its e-wallet service. Director Alassane Kaboré attributes the achievement to service variety and the bank’s reach–17 branches and 16 ATMs.

According to Kaboré, Coris’ performances reflect major changes in Togo's banking sector and demonstrate the ongoing transformation of financial services.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The Bushrana Group, a Dubai-based investment group, could soon enter Togo’s agri-food industry. Mamoun Mekki, Managing Director of Bushrana Group, disclosed the intention last week while visiting Lomé. Mekki was in the Togolese capital to explore business opportunities.

Le ministre Richard Kangbeni, a reçu en audience M. Momin Mamoun Mekki, DG du groupe BUSHRANA, en visite au Togo, actif dans plusieurs secteurs : pétrole et gaz, construction, télécommunications, agroalimentaire, finance, tourisme et équipement. pic.twitter.com/hcdaiqZYWN

— Ministère de l'Economie Maritime (@MaritimeTg) February 19, 2025

In Togo, the Bushrana Group plans to build a food production plant at the Industrial Platform of Adétikopé (PIA). If implemented, the project will help boost the food supply in surrounding landlocked countries.

During the visit, Richard Kangbeni, Togo’s Minister for the Maritime Economy, reiterated the Togolese government’s support and promised incentives to ease investment by Bushrana. The two sides will continue talks in this framework.

Across Africa, the Bushrana Group operates in many sectors, including energy, telecommunications, finance, and tourism. It is present in Mozambique, South Africa, and Sudan. Coming to Togo aligns with the group’s global expansion strategy.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo is about to receive CFA17 billion (roughly $28 million U.S. dollars) from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) via the West African Development Bank (BOAD). The funding will boost the country's climate resilience. 

The BOAD recently secured the GCF’s approval for the project, which will directly help Togo's most at-risk communities.

This is the first time that Togo has received financing from the GCF. In detail, the package will help improve climate information services, multi-hazard early warning systems, and local adaptation efforts. 

Set to be carried out over five years, the initiative will be steered by Togo’s Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) and monitored by the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection.

The BOAD, a GCF-accredited institution since 2017, provides financial assistance through grants, low-interest loans (ranging from 0 to 1.75%), guarantees, and refinancing options. Through its Climate Investment Programs (CIPs) and Climate Study Fund (CSF), BOAD aids WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) countries in creating projects that can bounce back from climate-related issues.

Climate Financing: An All-in-One Approach

Last October, the BOAD secured a CFA30 billion grant to fund climate adaptation projects in local communities within the sub-region.

Over the past, the regional bank also provided Togo with CFA4.3 billion to better fight and manage floods. The funds were extended through the BOAD’s Loans Adapted to Natural Disasters (PACAN) program, designed to boost the resilience of WAEMU countries faced with climate and health emergencies.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

A week from now, Togo will host a webinar on tackling misinformation and violent extremism. These are issues that increasingly affect both the media and the public.

The webinar, titled “Facing up to fake news to effectively fight terrorism”, seeks to provide citizens and media pros with the tools to fight misinformation, which threatens social and political stability in West Africa. 

Spearheaded by the online media outlet Le Nouveau Reporter, the event will gather experts such as Kondi Napo Sonhaye, an academic and digital specialist; Noël Kokou Tadegnon, a fact-checking journalist; and Dr. Kodjo Avuletey, a teacher-researcher.

The panel will present strategies to counter misinformation and boost the resilience of citizens and institutions. 

The webinar will also serve as an interactive platform, giving journalists, students, and civil society members a space to exchange ideas and find practical solutions. This is especially important as disinformation becomes a growing concern for African countries, including Togo, which faces ongoing security challenges.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) rolled out its Trade Barrier Alert Mechanism (MAOC) this Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Lomé.

This initiative is funded by the International Trade Centre (ITC), GIZ, and CCI-Togo. It is part of a project led by the Ministry of Trade, Crafts, and Local Consumption. The MAOC aims to make trade easier by allowing companies to spot and report, in real time, barriers to their international activities.

The MAOC is a direct response to the challenges faced by Togolese businesses in global markets. Through an interactive platform, companies can report obstacles affecting their trade, access solutions and recommendations, and track actions to resolve these issues.

Ultimately, this new platform aims to strengthen cooperation between the private sector and government while improving the transparency and effectiveness of national trade policies.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo and Australia are enhancing their cooperation, focusing on agriculture, women's empowerment, and regional security.

This was a key topic discussed during a meeting on February 18, between Togolese Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé and Bérénice Owen-Jones, the Australian High Commissioner to Togo.

During the sitting, the officials explored opportunities for strategic collaboration. “We discussed the possibility of closer collaboration in the agricultural sector, to promote women's empowerment, especially,” said Owen-Jones.

The Australian also highlighted Togo's important role in maintaining stability in West Africa. “We also talked about the security situation in the sub-region. And in this respect, I would like to recognize Togo's essential role as a bridge-builder,” she added.

The Togolese Training Agency for Local Authorities (ANFCT) began training regional authorities in Dapaong on February 17, 2025. The program focuses on new regional councilors, installed in January, and their general secretaries, according to ATOP.

The training is designed to help participants understand decentralization and deconcentration, giving them the tools to make better decisions and implement local policies effectively. It also explains the role of the regional council, its responsibilities, and how it works with government ministries, decentralized departments, and civil society.

Key topics include an introduction to decentralization, the region's responsibilities as a local authority, and how the regional council interacts with other stakeholders. ANFCT Managing Director Komi Dodzi Denyo said the goal is to strengthen decentralization and give regional leaders the skills to manage public affairs more efficiently.

This program follows a similar training held in November for local officials. After Dapaong, sessions will continue in Togo's other four regions.

The training aligns with ANFCT's mission to support local elected officials, local authority staff, and government agents involved in decentralization.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum