Togo’s cereal production for the 2024-2025 season totaled 1.53 million tons, according to recent data from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). The figure represents a slight decline from the 1.56 million tons recorded the previous year, ending five consecutive years of growth.

Between 2019 and 2024, national cereal output rose from 1.26 million tons to 1.56 million tons, an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. Maize remains Togo’s main cereal crop, followed by paddy rice, millet, and sorghum, all largely grown for domestic consumption.

This long-term growth reflects government initiatives to improve access to farm inputs and modernize production methods. For the 2025-2026 season, authorities plan to build on these gains by providing 85,000 tons of fertilizer, up from nearly 78,000 tons the year before. About 40% of the supply will go to the Savanes region, which has the country’s highest agricultural needs.

The support program also includes the distribution of improved crop seeds adapted to local climate conditions to help boost smallholder productivity. Small-scale farmers remain the backbone of national production and play a central role in food security.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo alone accounted for 29.5% of total transport service revenue generated across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) in 2024.

That represents nearly a third of the regional total, according to the latest foreign trade report from the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). Côte d’Ivoire followed closely, capturing 26.7% of the sector’s revenue.

Transport services, which include road, maritime and air activities, make up a key part of the Union’s trade in services. However, the sector’s overall share of total service exports dropped to 19.4% in 2024, down from 21.6% in 2023. The decline was driven by weaker demand and lower revenue, which fell from 670.3 billion XOF to 627.1 billion XOF ($1.02 billion).

Togo’s market dominance is primarily attributed to the central role of the Autonomous Port of Lomé, a major maritime import hub for the sub-region. The port serves several landlocked countries, including Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Land and sea transport services remain the primary revenue drivers, fueled by port logistics and international transit.

Transport services rank second among the Union’s service exports, behind tourism, which accounts for 36.1% of the total.

According to BCEAO data, Togo’s transport service exports reached 185.1 billion XOF ($301.7 million) in 2024. This reflects steady growth between 2020 and 2024, rising nearly 77% over five years from 104.4 billion XOF. However, growth leveled off between 2023 and 2024, with only a slight increase of 0.7 billion XOF.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo’s Education Development Agency (AED), the agency overseeing IFAD training centers, and the Synergy of Renewable Energy Actors (SAER) formalized their partnership on Friday, November 7, to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy sector.

The three-year agreement outlines several key areas of collaboration. It includes plans for creating initial and continuing training programs in renewable energy tailored to market needs. In addition, SAER member companies will host trainees from the IFAD Renewable Energy Center for hands-on internships, helping them transition into the workforce.

The partnership also includes work-study programs and aims to build the skills of trainers and company mentors. SAER will take part in the governance of the IFAD Renewable Energy Center. Finally, the agreement provides technical assistance and equipment support to improve training quality and support the development of Togo’s renewable energy sector.

“This agreement reflects our goal to bridge training and employment,” said Dammipi Noupokou, Director-General of AED. “Our ambition is to build a more dynamic environment to prepare young people for future jobs and support the country’s energy transition.”

Serge Adote, Chairman of SAER’s Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of the partnership, noting it will allow SAER to become more deeply involved in the activities of the IFAD Renewable Energy Center, particularly in “innovative and ambitious programs starting in 2026.”

AED and SAER have worked together for several years, including support for the IFAD Renewable Energy Center in developing professional and training standards.

Togo’s National Identification Agency (ANID) is moving ahead with its biometric registration project in Zone 1 of the Maritime region.

The latest step in Aného involved setting up Local Complaint Management Committees (CCGPs) for the Lacs prefecture.

These committees are responsible for ensuring efficient and transparent processing of complaints related to the biometric enrollment process. Specifically, they will review citizens’ concerns and ensure adherence to principles of fairness and confidentiality.

Members of the newly formed committees were officially appointed and trained for their roles on Tuesday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The initiative is being carried out under the World Bank–backed West Africa Unique Identification for Regional Integration and Inclusion (WURI-Togo) project. This program aims to provide every resident with a state-recognized biometric identity to facilitate access to social and financial services.

ANID Director-General, Captain Silété Roselin Devo, urged local residents to take part actively in the ongoing enrollment process.

R.E.D

China handed over solar kits to Togo on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Lomé, to support the country’s goal of achieving universal electricity access by 2030.

The donation is part of China’s “Africa Solar Belt” project, an initiative designed to support the continent’s energy transition and fight climate change.

The donation, consisting of 3,900 photovoltaic kits, is intended to meet the energy needs of rural households. These off-grid systems will boost rural electrification, help diversify Togo’s energy mix, and support low-carbon development. Officials said the initiative aligns with expanding Sino-African cooperation in renewable energy, particularly solar power.

According to Robert Koffi Eklo, the Minister Delegate for Energy, the kits are expected to supply electricity to more than 20,000 Togolese living in areas not connected to the national grid. He said their use would contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Chinese Ambassador to Togo, Min Wang, praised the Togolese government’s efforts to combat climate change, adding that the donation reflects China’s continued support for Togo’s energy transition.

The Ministry of Energy will organize training sessions for Togolese technicians before deploying the kits, to ensure proper installation and maintenance. Various initiatives carried out with partner support have already helped Togo reach an electricity access rate of 70% by the end of 2024.

Esaïe Edoh

Germany provided €484.59 million — about 318 billion XOF or $527 million — to support Togo’s health sector between 2014 and 2025.

The figure was disclosed during a meeting on November 4, 2025, to review health cooperation between Togo’s Minister of Health, Public Hygiene, Universal Health Coverage, and Insurance, Jean-Marie Tessi, and Germany’s Ambassador to Togo, Claudius Fischbach.

The meeting reviewed progress on projects financed through German cooperation and explored new areas of partnership. The funds supported several initiatives, including the rehabilitation, expansion and equipping of numerous health facilities in the Kara region, under the “Health System Strengthening Program – Reproductive Health and Sexual Rights, Phase II.”

German support was also crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic, supplying medical equipment, training health workers and contributing to the national response. Talks also covered the Kara Infectious Disease Center, planned budget support for 2024-2026, and ongoing initiatives to strengthen the health system and expand universal health coverage.

Both sides stressed the need to speed up administrative and logistical procedures to ensure continuity of activities and achieve better results on the ground.

“The government remains fully committed to removing obstacles and improving coordination to ensure the effective implementation of health projects that benefit our people,” Minister Jean-Marie Tessi said.

In addition to health, Germany also supports Togo in areas including the environment, decentralization and education.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s capital, Lomé, will host the UK–West and Central Francophone Africa Forum (UK–WCAF) on November 12 and 13, bringing together more than 600 participants, including policymakers, investors, and business leaders from several countries.

Jointly organized by the Togolese government, the UK Department for Business and Trade, and partners such as UK Export Finance and DMA Invest, the forum will highlight investment opportunities, trade partnerships, and financing mechanisms to strengthen economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Francophone countries in West and Central Africa. Discussions will also address national economic priorities and ongoing reforms to enhance competitiveness and investment attractiveness.

The event comes as Togo continues efforts to improve its business climate and attract more foreign investors. For Lomé, it will be an opportunity to showcase its logistical and commercial advantages—including its deep-water port and pro-investment tax reforms—to deepen ties with British economic partners.

The city of Kara is hosting a regional training workshop this week, running until November 7, for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The event is organized by the Ministry of Investment Promotion, Industry, and Economic Sovereignty under the Project to Support Investment Promotion and Public-Private Partnerships (PAPIDPPP).

The workshop aims to equip local entrepreneurs—including artisans, traders, women, business leaders, and young project holders—with practical tools to better structure their activities, improve competitiveness, and access financing.

Training modules cover business creation and management, marketing, basic accounting, and the use of digital technologies to increase commercial visibility. The initiative seeks to professionalize the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and strengthen the private sector as a key driver of economic and social development.

The program is financially supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) through the Transition Support Facility (TSF).