Togo First
Togo Launches CFA6 Billion Electrification Tender Covering 172 Rural Localities
Highlights:
• Bidding closes on September 5, 2025. Work to begin in November
• Project to benefit over 35,000 people and create 600+ jobs
• Part of Togo’s push for universal electrification by 2030
Togo has recently launched an international tender to electrify 172 rural communities as part of its national initiative to expand access to energy. The project is steered by the Ministry of Energy–via the Agency for Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies. The West African Development Bank (BOAD) provided CFA6 billion in funding.
Selected firms will be tasked with extending the medium- and low-voltage distribution network over 18 months. The scope includes MV overhead lines, MV/LV transformer substations, LV networks with public lighting, and household connection kits.
The tender closes on September 5, 2025, with work scheduled to begin in November.
Expected to generate 9.3 GWh in its first year, the project aims to improve electricity access for over 35,000 people and generate more than 600 direct and indirect jobs.
This initiative falls under Togo’s broader universal electrification strategy for 2030, which also includes the Lomé Electricity Network Expansion Project (PEREL) and other nationwide infrastructure developments.
This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Faure Gnassingbé Oversees Progress at Kara University Hospital
Togo advances the renovation of Kara University Hospital Centre (CHU) with 35% of work done by June 2025. President of the Council Faure Gnassingbé visited the project site on July 21 to assess progress and consult contractors. This visit followed a recent inspection by the country’s Health Minister.
Dans le cadre du suivi rapproché des projets structurants de la Feuille de route gouvernementale Togo 2025, le Président du Conseil, @FEGnassingbe, a effectué ce 21 juillet 2025 une visite de terrain au CHU de Kara, en pleine transformation.https://t.co/MPgCenqMlU pic.twitter.com/xoxIuyNuj5
— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) July 21, 2025
The Presidency of the Council said the visit reflects Gnassingbé’s firm commitment to delivering on promises in health and social inclusion. “This visit reflects the constant determination of the President of the Council to ensure the effective implementation of the commitments made to the population, particularly in the areas of health and social inclusion,” it stated.
The renovation is part of the CFA34 billion ELLIPSE project. Upon completion, Kara University Hospital will expand to nearly 400 beds spread across surgery, medicine, maternity, pediatrics, emergency, and intensive care departments. The goal is to provide facilities that meet international hospital standards.
Ellipse Projects leads the work, which started in April 2024 and aims to finish within 36 months. Executed as a public-private partnership, the project includes constructing a new technical center and maternity unit using modular building techniques. It also involves rehabilitating existing infrastructure, such as buildings, roads, water, and electricity networks.
This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
Togo’s Bank Credit Recovers After 2023 Slump, Led by Equipment Financing
Togolese businesses and the state primarily drove bank credit demand in 2024, according to the latest BCEAO report on banking conditions in the West African Economic and Monetary Union. Non-financial corporations received 658.3 billion CFA francs in bank credit, an increase from 2023, making them the top source of demand.
The state followed, receiving 133.1 billion CFA francs. This was an eightfold increase from 2023, reflecting renewed public investment spending or greater reliance on bank financing.
In contrast, household financing declined to 296 billion CFA francs from 372.3 billion the previous year. This drop occurred amid a contraction in consumer credit, which fell to 130.5 billion CFA francs from 183 billion CFA francs.
Equipment loans, however, surged to 240.4 billion CFA francs from 161.5 billion CFA francs. This marks a record for the 2019–2024 period, suggesting a renewed interest in productive investment compared to the prior year.
Meanwhile, mortgage lending remained low at 65.3 billion CFA francs, well below the 2021 peak of 394.2 billion CFA francs. Cash flow loans stabilized at around 532.6 billion CFA francs, indicating a persistent need for short-term liquidity within the economy.
After contracting in 2023, bank credit disbursements in Togo resumed growth in 2024, reaching 1,094.7 billion CFA francs. This represents a 12% year-on-year increase. More broadly, credit trends in Togo over the past six years have been uneven, with a record peak of 1,265.9 billion CFA francs in 2022, followed by a drop to 977.3 billion CFA francs in 2023, before the current rebound.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo Targets Fake Doctors Amid Health Reforms
Togo’s medical council is preparing legal action against dozens of doctors accused of practising without licenses, its president said last week.
Dr. Békéti Katanga Anthony, recently reappointed for a four-year term as President of the National Order of Doctors of Togo (ONMT), announced the move as part of a broader push to clean up the country’s healthcare sector.
The ONMT has identified the growing presence of unlicensed doctors as a major challenge. “We can’t guarantee the quality of care people receive unless we rigorously combat this scourge head-on,” said Dr. Békéti.
He stressed that the ONMT cannot act alone. He urged the Ministries of Health, Justice, Security, and Territorial Administration to coordinate with the ONMT to root out fake doctors operating across the country.
Currently, 826 doctors are officially registered with the ONMT. But authorities estimate that nearly 100 others continue to operate without accreditation—mainly in rural and peri-urban areas where formal health services remain scarce.
The crackdown comes as Togo ramps up its efforts to implement Universal Health Insurance (UHI), a program aimed at expanding access to healthcare for all citizens.
This article was initially published in French by Esaie Edoh
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
SUNU Bank Togo Charts New Course After 2024 Crisis, Says CEO
SUNU Bank Togo's management states the bank has entered a new phase of stabilization and strategic refocusing after a 2024 marked by social tensions. The banking subsidiary of the SUNU Group, which has historical roots in insurance, is now working to move past a crisis inherited from its takeover of BPEC.
In February 2025, the bank began a restructuring effort. This involved closing seven branches, reorganizing staff, and streamlining operations. The bank officially justified these actions by citing an operating ratio of 110% in 2023 and costs deemed "incompatible with prudential balance."
Bénito Fado said, "We have to be honest: the crisis we went through left its mark on the relationship between general management and parts of the staff, but also on public trust. Yet this phase was essential to rebuild stronger and more sustainable foundations."
Since then, the bank claims to have strengthened its fundamentals, including governance, risk control, compliance with KYC and AML/CFT regulations, modernization of tools, and recapitalization in line with BCEAO requirements. The goal is to restore confidence among clients, regulators, and investors in a sub-regional context characterized by the rise of fintech companies and intense competition from pan-African banking groups.
Support from the SUNU Group, the majority shareholder and a key player in insurance, remains a strategic lever. This support is evident in recent capital injections mobilized to support the recovery. Top management emphasizes regained financial discipline while avoiding any sense of complacency.
The rebuilding efforts also extend to commercial operations. SUNU Bank Togo is focusing on "pragmatic" innovation, including WhatsApp banking, the MySUNU Bank platform, and 100% online account opening. It is also prioritizing stronger customer proximity. Bénito Fado stated, "Innovation is not a passing trend, but a coherent response to the needs for accessibility, speed, and simplicity, including in rural areas."
According to top management, a significant internal effort is also underway to restore social dialogue, revalue teams, and stabilize critical functions.
Togo Asks IMF to Conduct In-Depth Governance Review, Set to Begin Next Month
Highlights:
- First-of-its-kind for Francophone West Africa: Togo to voluntarily undergo IMF-led Governance Diagnostic Assessment (GDA), with results due by end of 2025.
- Key focus areas: Anti-corruption, budget transparency, public procurement, and asset declarations of officials.
- Linked to ECF program: Part of broader reform agenda under the $400M Extended Credit Facility approved in March 2024.
Togo has invited the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to conduct a comprehensive review of its governance systems, marking a significant step in its ongoing reform agenda. The diagnostic, which begins in August 2024, will assess the institutional frameworks related to corruption, public finance management, and the business regulatory environment.
The initiative aligns with commitments made under the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) approved in 2024. It aims to support Togo’s efforts to improve transparency, mobilize domestic revenue, and enhance its investment climate.
According to the IMF, the assessment will benchmark Togo’s governance practices against international standards and help define future reform priorities.
Areas under scrutiny include public procurement procedures, asset declarations by high-ranking officials, transparency around beneficial ownership in public contracts, and the independence of oversight bodies.
"This diagnosis will form a basis for defining reform priorities and assessing gaps in relation to international best practices," the IMF noted in a July 2025 update.
The results—expected to be publicly released—could lead to a reform action plan co-developed with international partners. If completed, Togo would be among the first Francophone West African nations to voluntarily undertake this form of governance assessment.
The government views the initiative as a strategic lever to attract private investment, particularly in logistics, agriculture, and energy. Togo's recent improvement on the World Bank’s CPIA index also led to its reclassification by the IMF as having a "high debt capacity"—a positive signal for creditors and investors.
This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Banque Atlantique Togo Raised CFA12 Billion in 2024 with FAGACE’s Help
Highlights:
- In 2024, Banque Atlantique Togo mobilized nearly CFAF 12 billion in FAGACE-guaranteed operations.
- The bank was awarded “Best Partner” for the 2024–2025 financial year at a regional ceremony on May 16 in Lomé.
- FAGACE’s interventions secured over CFAF 215 billion across West and Central Africa in 2023.
Banque Atlantique Togo (BAT) has been named Best Partner of the Fonds Africain de Garantie et de Coopération Économique (FAGACE) for the 2024–2025 financial year, after mobilizing close to CFA12 billion in guarantee-backed operations for the private sector.
“This recognition testifies to our commitment to supporting the development of the Togolese private sector, in alignment with the government's priorities,” said Abdoulatiphe Dermane, Director of Operations at BAT, during a regional closing ceremony held on May 16 in Lomé.
The award, along with a Certificate of Excellence, was presented to BAT’s representative in the presence of Basile Tchakounte, Secretary General of FAGACE, and Dr. Stéphane Kpowbié Tchasso Akaya, Secretary General of Togo’s Ministry of Economy and Finance.
Based in Cotonou, FAGACE plays a key role in reducing banking risk across the continent through guarantee mechanisms adapted to business needs. In 2023, the institution secured more than CFA215 billion in funding for projects across West and Central Africa, according to its official financial statements.
In addition to financial guarantees, FAGACE also supported BAT in strengthening its internal capabilities in finance and risk management.
Togo Initiates Consultations for Upcoming Agricultural Insurance Program
In Lomé this week, Togo kicked off its journey toward building a national agricultural insurance system. Farmers, insurers, policymakers, and international partners came together for a two-day consultation designed to lay the groundwork for a new insurance model tailored to local realities.
The gathering, spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, marks the start of a participatory process aimed at co-creating a system that can shield Togolese farmers from climate volatility and economic uncertainty. The government’s intention is to translate farmers' and stakeholders’ input into a national action plan promoting index-based agricultural insurance.
“The contributions collected will serve to develop an action plan to promote index-based insurance in Togo,” the ministry stated following the session.
The future insurance framework is expected to play a pivotal role in improving farmers' financial resilience, protecting their income, and encouraging greater investment in agriculture. It will also support broader national goals such as strengthening food security and climate adaptation.
“Agricultural insurance plays a strategic role. It is not only a financial protection tool but also a lever for transformation. It encourages better practices, strengthens resilience, and facilitates smarter management of climate risks,” said Essiomilé Komi, Director of Planning, Agricultural Statistics, and Monitoring & Evaluation (DPSSE) at the ministry.
This project is being developed with backing from the Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), two technical partners helping Togo transition toward a sovereign system.
Until now, Togo has relied primarily on insurance subscriptions to international companies. For the 2023–2024 agricultural season, the government allocated $1 million (more than CFA600 million) for a new sovereign insurance package. That initiative received critical support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), which contributed a subsidy of $500,000.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo Expands Lomé Airport With New Wide-Body Aircraft Parking
Lomé’s Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport (AIGE) officially inaugurated two new parking bays for wide-body aircraft, code E, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The ceremony included several aviation sector stakeholders, notably China’s ambassador to Togo, Wang Min.
The Chinese company Witek constructed the 35,481 square meter facility at a cost of approximately $6.5 million. It will enable the simultaneous accommodation of more commercial aircraft, including high-level official flights, improving tarmac operations.
According to Colonel Idrissou Abdou Ahabou, Director General of Togo's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the new works offer several advantages. These include increased aircraft accommodation capacity, higher revenue from parking fees contributing to the country’s economic development, enhanced airport safety and security, and more efficient operational performance.
This infrastructure is part of Project 18 of the Togo 2025 government roadmap. Its aim is to strengthen Lomé’s strategic position as a regional aviation hub.
For Michel Komlan Tindano, Secretary General of the Ministry of Transport, this expansion addresses the significant increase in air traffic observed in recent years. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance the airport's air connectivity, boost its logistical appeal, and capture a larger share of regional transit.
Baccalaureate: Togo Records 72.6% Pass Rate in Phase 2, Up from 46.7% in 2024
Highlights:
- National BAC II pass rate jumps to 72.63% in 2025, from 46.71% in 2024.
- Over 100,000 candidates took the exam, marking a 30% year-on-year increase.
- Education reforms and a stable academic year credited for the improvement.
Togo’s national pass rate for the 2025 BAC II (Second Phase of the Baccalaureate) exams rose sharply to 72.63%, up from 46.71% in 2024, according to figures released by the Ministry of Education. The significant jump comes amid a resurgence in exam participation, with 100,303 candidates registered — an increase of nearly 30% compared to last year.
Authorities attribute the improved results to a combination of reforms and favorable conditions, including the widespread introduction of mock BAC exams, a high share of experienced repeat candidates (53%), and a generally stable academic year.
The government says it plans to continue reforming the education system, with a particular focus on orienting more students toward science and technical fields aligned with the country's development priorities.
Official statistics show that girls accounted for 43.3% of all candidates. The literary A4 stream remained the most popular, with 45,377 candidates, followed by the science-based D stream with 41,059.