Sokodé, a Togolese city located about 350 km north of the capital, will host the second edition of the International Horse Festival from January 8 to 10, 2025. The festival celebrates the rich equestrian tradition of the Tchaoudjo prefecture. The next edition is expected to attract nearly 500 riders from Togo and neighboring countries, organizers told the press last weekend.

The three-day festival will feature several key activities, including an equestrian evening and a horse race. There will also be competitions where riders from various backgrounds compete for prizes awarded to the top five participants.

Festival promoter Ouro-Adoï Farrida emphasized that this event highlights a key aspect of Togo's cultural identity. “The prefecture of Tchaoudjo is historically recognized as a place of horsemen, and it is essential to support the actors of this tradition,” he said.

Beyond horse demonstrations, the festival will include a public conference titled "The Future of the Rider," featuring local and foreign riders, researchers, and experts. This forum will focus on preserving and passing down equestrian culture in a modern context where traditional practices have been losing ground.

Esaïe Edoh

Lire aussi:

Togo is building a new cancer treatment center focused on radiotherapy and nuclear medicine in Lomé. Prime Minister Victoire Tomégah-Dogbé laid the foundation stone for the facility on November 15, 2024. She was with the Minister of Health, Prof. Tchin Darré, and the President of the National Assembly, Sevon-Tépé Kodjo Adédzé.

Located at the Camp du 1er BIR in the Agoè-Nyivé 1 municipality, the new center will span 1,600 square meters. It will be equipped with advanced technologies to provide modern treatments for patients. Backed by AME International, an Austrian partner, the project aims to make cancer treatment more accessible and reduce mortality rates in Togo.

"This center will remain a gift for today that will forever determine the hope of tomorrow," said Prof. Tchin Darré, emphasizing the commitment to building a stronger Togo in the fight against cancer. This will be Togo’s second cancer treatment center. The first, the Centre international de cancérologie de Lomé, opened in 2022.

Data from 2022 indicates that Togo officially records over 7,000 cases annually, including nearly 900 pediatric cases. The number of cases has risen in recent years.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

After a three-month suspension to preserve fishery resources, fishing at Lake Nangbéto has officially resumed. Fishery Minister, Yark Damehame, announced the news on November 15. 

The official, however, indicated that the resumption comes with strict restrictions, including interdiction to use certain fishing techniques and equipment deemed destructive. These include gill nets or hawks nets with mesh sizes smaller than two and a half fingers, shore stages, pots with mesh sizes less than three fingers, and devices such as bamboo.

Additionally, practices like barré-barré, unbaited longlining, and the use of toxic products are strictly banned. These measures aim to limit fishing's negative impact on the Lake's resources and promote their long-term regeneration.

Minister Damehame also emphasized that fishermen need a permit issued by the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture to fish on the Lake. This regulatory system is designed to provide a better framework for fishing activities and ensure compliance with standards to protect the ecosystem. 

The fishing sector is vital to the Togolese economy, directly employing over 22,000 people and accounting for about 4.5% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to official data.

Esaïe Edoh

NanaTech Entrepreneures, part of Togo's Ministry of Digital Economy and Transformation's NanaTech digital program, is celebrating its first cohort. The six-month initiative concluded with a Demo Day on November 16 in Lomé, where the 45 women participants presented their projects to investors and industry partners. During the ceremony, certificates of participation were awarded to the beneficiaries.

Digital Economy Minister, Cina Lawson, lauded the program's success, saying: "We want digital to be centered on people, and in particular on women, to be able to become a hub of digital innovation. So we expect them to come back to us in a few months and tell us how the training has supported them."

NanaTech Entrepreneures has enhanced female entrepreneurs' ability to use digital tools, improve business management, and expand their markets internationally through e-commerce. Projects presented included "Soke's Hands," a brand of handcrafted bags made from luxury pearls; "FaithProduct," an enriched flour company; and "Sunclay," a brand of natural clay-based cosmetics.

Funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation and implemented by OMCA-Togo, NanaTech consists of five components. In addition to NanaTech Entrepreneures, these include NanaTech Immersion (a six-day intensive training program), NanaTech Écosystème (nationwide roundtables to strengthen the female entrepreneurial ecosystem), NanaTech Lab (an online training platform), and NanaTech Talents (a month-long program focused on developing entrepreneurship and digital skills among startups).

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Rwanda has appointed a new representative in Togo: Rosemary Mbabazi. On November 18, 2024, she presented her credentials as Rwanda's High Commissioner to Togo to the Togolese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Robert Dussey. The two diplomats discussed areas of cooperation between their countries.

Rosemary Mbabazi is a politician and businesswoman who previously served as Minister of Youth. Her new role includes taking responsibilities for several countries in the sub region, including Ghana, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

Togo and Rwanda have maintained a close diplomatic relationship for many years. Last August, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé visited Kigali for the inauguration of President Paul Kagame, where they talked about diversifying their bilateral partnership and improving trade across the continent, especially in relation to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) transport ministers met in Lomé from November 5 to 8 and adopted a plan to reduce airfares in the region. This plan will be presented to ECOWAS Heads of State in December for approval and is expected to take effect in January 2026. 

The roadmap includes actions such as eliminating taxes that do not comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and reducing passenger and security charges by 25%. The ministers noted that taxes and fees currently account for nearly 50% of the total cost of air tickets in West Africa; hence burdening travelers and affecting the competitiveness of local airlines. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airport taxes and charges in West Africa can exceed $100 per passenger, compared to a global average of $40 in 2023.

These reforms aim to ease travel costs and boost the air transport sector while maintaining safety protocols aligned with international standards. A transition phase in 2025 will allow member states to make necessary legislative and budgetary changes. 

ECOWAS also plans to engage international partners for support and will establish a Regional Oversight Committee to ensure commitments are met. The initiative aligns with continental projects like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), which aim to enhance connectivity across Africa.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo is set to launch the Djanta Tech Hub in Lomé, a technology center designed to transform the country's entrepreneurial ecosystem. Founded in 2018 and covering an area of 3,000 square meters, the Djanta Tech Hub is supported by Co-Creation Hub (CcHub), an innovation and technology entrepreneurship organization based in Nigeria. The new hub will support Togolese startups, particularly in the tech, agritech, and edtech sectors, following the successful model of iHub in Nairobi.

“It will be a hub managed by CcHub - the hub belongs to the government of Togo, but we will set it up and manage it for them,” said Ojoma Ochai, managing director of CcHub and head of iHub operations, as quoted by TechCabal. 

The Djanta Tech Hub will include several strategic components, such as Djanta Academy, a center for digital training, and Djanta Start, a business accelerator and incubator. It will also house NanaTech, a space dedicated to businesswomen, and Djanta Lab, a space focused on prototyping and research. 

Additional facilities will include coworking spaces, conference rooms, and a one-stop shop for startups' administrative needs. In preparation for the launch, several key positions are being filled through recruitment organized by the supervisory ministry.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Divisional Police Commissioner Babarime Akatao took office as the new Director General of the Togo’s National Police on November 12, 2024. The handover ceremony was held at the National Police Headquarters (DGPN) in Lomé and presided over by the Minister of Security, Calixte Batossi Madjoulba. Akatao replaces Colonel Yaovi Okpaoul, who has held the position since April 2019.

In his inaugural address, Akatao acknowledged the significant responsibilities that accompany his new role. “We are fully aware of the magnitude of this mission, an immense responsibility which requires not only unfailing commitment but also, above all, a clear vision and constant determination to achieve our objectives and protect our republican values.” he declared.

Babarime Akatao has a master’s degree in law, specializing in judicial careers, and another master’s in internal security. He trained at the Kpewa National Commando Training Center, graduated in 2005, and has occupied various positions within the police force since then. Before being appointed as Director General, he served as the central commissioner for the city of Lomé.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Taïrou Bagbiegue is the new Governor of Togo’s Maritime Region. Appointed on August 23, 2024, by President Faure Gnassingbé, Bagbiegue officially took office on November 12. The inauguration ceremony took place in Tsévié, the region's capital, and was attended by various political and traditional leaders.

Col. Awate Hodabalo, the Minister in charge of Territorial Administration presided over the ceremony. He underscored the challenges associated with administrative deconcentration, stating "Deconcentration remains a vast undertaking and a huge task. Each player must play his part alongside the government and the governor." 

In his address, Taïrou Bagbiegue highlighted the importance of harmonious cooperation among the decentralized services of various sectoral ministries. "From now on, we'll all have to work together to ensure the success of development projects initiated by the government and involving our region. It is my duty to ensure that this dynamic is a real strength, based as it is on trust, sharing, and cohesion. I am committed to sharing my experiences and initiatives with you," he remarked.

Bagbiegue previously held several high-profile roles, including Minister of Mines and Energy since 2012 and Minister of Technical Education, Training, and Professional Integration since 2020.

The week before he took over, Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré was inaugurated as Governor of Greater Lomé. According to recent government announcements, three additional appointments are anticipated: Affoh Atcha-Dedji as governor of the Savanes region, Komlan Adjitowou in the Kara region, and Dadja Maganawé in the Plateaux region.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi