Togo First
Lacs municipalities, Vo 2 agree on joint strategy for inclusive development
Four municipalities in Togo’s Lacs prefecture, along with the Vo 2 commune, are moving toward a joint strategy to tackle sustainable and inclusive development challenges, local officials said on Tuesday after a meeting in Aneho.
The initiative aims to coordinate responses to common challenges faced by the local authorities through closer cooperation in local governance. Priority areas include agriculture, health, education and sanitation.
Officials said the approach would take into account the specific conditions of each municipality.
“A framework for joint action has just been established,” said Alexis Aquereburu, mayor of Lacs 1. “The goal is to identify innovative solutions to address our shared challenges.”
The push for inter-municipal cooperation comes as authorities in Aneho seek to accelerate the city’s development. Aneho served as Togo’s capital before independence, and current efforts focus on several strategic sectors, including heritage preservation and cultural activities.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: Microfinance loans recover in Q3 2025 after second-quarter dip
Outstanding loans at microfinance institutions in Togo rose by 8.4 billion CFA francs, or 2.4%, at the end of September 2025.
The increase marks a recovery after a weaker second quarter of 2025, which saw a decline of 7 billion CFA francs and a quarterly drop of 1.9%. Outstanding loans at Togolese microfinance institutions have therefore resumed growth.
The figures are based on recent data from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), which show that the sector recorded a simultaneous increase in deposits and credit in the country.
Rising savings
On the savings side, outstanding deposits collected by Togolese microfinance institutions grew by 12.1 billion CFA francs during the quarter, representing an increase of 2.7%.
This puts Togo among the contributors to regional deposit growth, behind Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire but ahead of Mali and Niger. Across the West African Monetary Union (WAMU), total outstanding deposits reached 2,731.6 billion CFA francs at the end of September 2025, up 11.1% year on year.
In Togo, deposit collection by microfinance institutions remained solid between the second and third quarters of 2025, against a backdrop of stability. After rising by 11.9 billion CFA francs in the second quarter, or 2.7%, deposits increased by a further 12.1 billion CFA francs in the third quarter, maintaining the same growth rate. This stability points to sustained savings momentum despite uneven regional trends.
These figures underline the central role of microfinance institutions in providing financial services to a large share of the population, particularly in financing households and small economic activities. However, average amounts remain modest, with deposits and loans per client below 140,000 CFA francs at the regional level, according to the BCEAO.
Credit risk also remains a concern. At the end of September 2025, one Togolese microfinance institution had been placed under provisional administration.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Kara CHU launches 2026-2030 development plan
Kara University Hospital Center (CHU Kara) on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, began work on its hospital development plan for the 2026-2030 period. The initiative aims to clarify the hospital’s strategic direction and modernize its infrastructure to better meet current healthcare system needs.
The process was launched with a training session aimed at ensuring stakeholder ownership of the project. The plan seeks to coordinate activities, streamline internal organization, and improve the quality of patient care, in line with national health policy and the government’s objective of providing accessible, high-quality healthcare.
Priority areas
The project will focus on several priority areas, including strengthening internal organization and improving the management of human, financial, and logistical resources. It also aims to upgrade medical services. Ultimately, the goal is to provide the Kara CHU with a clear strategic framework to guide its development and sustainably improve the quality of health services in the region.
“This project marks a decisive step toward improving the quality of care at the Kara CHU and, more broadly, across the region,” said the hospital’s director, Worou Kassétinin.
Backed by the government, the hospital development plan is part of a nationwide effort to modernize health facilities. The initiative seeks to strengthen hospital governance, organizational efficiency, and the quality of health services nationwide. In Lomé, the CHU Campus has been engaged in a similar process since October 2025.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo: CIRPEF launches nationwide forest code compliance drive
A national campaign to raise awareness among forestry sector stakeholders on compliance with the forest code was launched on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Tsévié. The initiative is led by the Interprofessional Council for the Regulation and Promotion of Forest Species (CIRPEF). It aims to combat deforestation and strengthen governance in the forestry sector.
Organized with the support of the Ministry of Environment, the campaign is intended to serve as a platform for mobilization and exchange among actors in the wood industry, including forest operators, loggers, drivers and carpenters. The objective is to strengthen oversight of activities related to wood extraction and processing, while reaffirming existing legal obligations.
To this end, the provisions of the Togolese forest code were presented to participants. Particular emphasis was placed on the obligation to comply with regulatory texts and to bring required permits and accreditations into compliance for any activity related to wood. Discussions also covered best practices to be adopted in forestry-related professions.
Stakeholders were also urged to recognize the importance of reforestation and their role in preserving forest resources, as the country faces growing pressure on its forest cover.
In response, authorities are relying on large-scale reforestation campaigns, supported by a program aimed at planting one billion trees by 2030. The initiative seeks to sustainably restore forest cover and strengthen the country’s environmental resilience.
According to CIRPEF president Jean Kokou Adéti, the campaign forms part of efforts to strengthen the sector’s regulatory framework, including measures by the Ministry of Environment to better organize the wood industry.
Since the appointment of Minister Dodzi Kokoroko to head the Environment Ministry, several initiatives have been undertaken to regularize the forestry sector and strengthen environmental protection in Togo.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Begins Validation of Organic Production Standards
Organic production stakeholders in Togo are seeking to establish local standards to certify their products. The document aims to give national producers improved access to organic certification.
The framework is currently undergoing validation at a workshop that opened on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Lome. The event is organized by the National Association of Organic Agriculture in Togo (ANABIO-Togo) in collaboration with the German development agency GIZ.
“Our commitment began in 2020 when we worked with stakeholders to define a production and marketing framework for unique Togolese products within the Bio-SPG system,” explained Dr. Combe K. Selom Anani, president of Anabio-Togo. On implementation, he said they worked with producers and agroecological farms.
The framework is also designed to support stakeholders committed to agroecology. Following its validation, it will grant Togolese producers access to organic certification and help boost consumption of local products.
According to Dr. Essot'na Heyou Bodjona, director general of the Togolese Standardization Agency (ATN), the document sets out requirements not only for organic production, but also for plant production, animal production, and governance. The workshop in Lome follows initial discussions held in other localities across the country, including Atakpame, Kpalime, and Sokode.
R.E.D
Togo approves 2026 allocation framework for FACT fund
Togo’s Council of Ministers on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, approved the criteria for allocating resources from the support fund for local authorities (FACT) for the 2026 fiscal year. The decision follows government plans to allocate 12 billion CFA francs to the fund for the period.
While the new criteria have not yet been made public, the Council said they are intended to better reflect the needs of each local authority, with the aim of promoting fairness, solidarity, and balanced development. The FACT supports municipalities and regional councils in their local development efforts.
Since 2021, allocation rules have been based in particular on the poverty index, land area, and population size, meaning poorer municipalities receive larger shares than others.
The fund has been operational since 2019 and is designed to mobilize additional financial resources for local authorities to help cover costs linked to the transfer of responsibilities from the state.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo to Allocate CFA35 Billion to Decentralization Reforms in 2026
Togo’s decentralization reforms are expected to receive 35 billion CFA francs in 2026, according to projections in the 2026 budget law.
The Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Customary Affairs will manage the funds, which account for 94% of its total budget of 37 billion CFA francs.
The allocation is intended to help the ministry, headed by Awaté Hodabalo, step up technical and administrative support for local governments and regional state offices, including municipalities, regional councils and governorates, as responsibilities are gradually transferred.
The aim is to give local authorities the resources they need to respond more independently and effectively to residents’ needs.
The funding comes as Togo renews the leadership of its 117 communes, with the government seeking to accelerate local development. Regional councils, which took office in January 2025, are also expected to strengthen their role in territorial governance.
Governors, appointed nationwide in 2024, will also receive ministry support to ensure the uniform implementation of public policy at the local level.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo showcases volunteer model to five African countries
Togo is showcasing its national volunteer model to five African countries during an international exchange visit in Lomé, under the Development of National Volunteer Ecosystems in Africa (DENVA) programme. The mission ends on Feb. 6, 2026.
Togo’s National Volunteer Agency (ANVT) is hosting representatives from volunteer agencies and programmes in Benin, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chad. Delegates are taking part in an immersion programme focused on Togo’s volunteer management system.
The DENVA mission aims to help participating countries learn from ANVT’s experience in institutional organization, volunteer deployment, recruitment and project oversight. Sessions cover the legal framework, the full volunteer project lifecycle, and mechanisms for training and resource support.
ANVT Director-General Dr. Omar Agbangba said peer exchanges are essential to strengthen national systems, particularly through South-South cooperation.
Since 2011, ANVT has mobilized more than 80,000 national volunteers for development and community support missions. More than 2,500 international volunteers have also taken part in projects across the country.
The mission will conclude with the drafting of national action plans tailored to each participating country.
R.E.D.
Tourism professionals tour Aného in Lacs 1 promotional programme
The coastal municipality of Lacs 1 held the second edition of the Eductour Destination Aného programme in late January, bringing together around 20 tourism, media and communications professionals to raise the city’s profile as a travel destination.
Organized by the local tourism office (Maison du Tourisme) in partnership with Miagbo Travel Events, the initiative is part of efforts to promote Aného’s cultural, historical and natural heritage.
Over three days, participants toured several landmark sites, including the tourism office, religious buildings, royal palaces and natural areas around the city. The programme also featured workshops and business-to-business meetings between travel agencies, tourism operators and local stakeholders.
Local authorities say the initiative is intended to support longer-term development of Aného’s tourism sector, with professionals expected to help promote “Destination Aného” to visitors and travel agencies, both nationally and internationally, including through online platforms.
R.E.D
Lomé-based Ollo Africa raises capital to 1 bln CFA francs
Lomé-based fintech startup Ollo Africa S.A. has announced a share capital increase, raising its equity from 68 million CFA francs to 1 billion CFA francs. Approved at an extraordinary general meeting in December 2024, the operation marks the arrival of Togolese and US angel investors alongside the founding shareholders.
Licensed by the Central Bank of West African States, Ollo Africa focuses on digitising tontines and other traditional collective savings schemes through its platform, Ohana Africa.
“This capital increase is a turning point for Ollo Africa. It validates our approach: bringing tontines into the digital space while keeping their community-based nature. Our early users show us every day that we are meeting a real need. The confidence of our investors, particularly the arrival of an American partner, gives us the resources to scale and reach hundreds of thousands of African families over the next 24 months,” said Mawuna Koutonin, managing director of Ollo Africa.
The funds will be used to finance a customer acquisition drive in Togo, further develop the platform’s technology, expand teams, and support financial education initiatives. The company aims for rapid growth and gradual expansion across the WAEMU region.
Around 5,000 family accounts are already active on the platform in Togo, according to the Atakpamé-based company. This comes as more than 40% of adults in West Africa regularly participate in tontines or informal savings groups, according to World Bank data cited by the firm. These mechanisms are estimated to generate annual flows of several hundred billion CFA francs across the WAEMU region.
The fintech still has significant room for growth in a market where banking penetration remains low. It also benefits from a strategic partnership with Ecobank, designed to secure financial flows and support integration with the formal banking system. The company highlights its proprietary technology, tailored to local languages and cultural practices.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi