Togo will host the 13th Adjafi Fair from August 21 to September 7, 2025, focusing on how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) can help small businesses compete and grow.

This year’s theme is “Improving the Packaging of Togolese Products for Better SME Competitiveness in the AfCFTA Market.” Organizers want to help young entrepreneurs boost product quality and break into African markets. They aim to give small and medium enterprises (SMEs), many led by youth, the tools to benefit from AfCFTA and increase trade across Africa.

The fair will feature two exhibition zones and welcome over 300 entrepreneurs from various sectors. The schedule includes an economic forum, a roundtable, a professional expo, and themed days focused on SME growth and competitiveness.

As always, the event will take place at the Agoè-Nyivé high school. Visitors can expect concerts, entertainment, and cultural shows, all celebrating Togolese music and culture.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s government launched a product marking system for industrial diesel in May 2025 to tighten control over the hydrocarbon sector. The Ministry of Commerce leads the initiative to boost transparency in fuel distribution and protect tax revenues.

The program started with an awareness campaign for industry players and a stakeholder meeting on June 12 in Lomé. Swiss firm SICPA SA provides technical support.

The system targets industrial diesel first. This fuel enjoys a 50% tax break and is reserved for non-road equipment. Officials want to stop the theft of subsidized fuel, illegal imports, and fake gasoline that hurt the market and public finances.

Authorities plan to extend the marking to unleaded gasoline and road diesel soon. This will improve traceability for all petroleum products in Togo.

In Togo, the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment (WACA-ResIP) has partnered with the University of Lomé to boost access to climate finance. 

The collaboration began with workshops on June 16, 2025, training about 30 officials from key ministries to develop fundable projects for major climate funds like the Global Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, and Adaptation Fund.

The World Bank, backing the WACA project, said the effort aims to create transformative projects that fit local needs. “We want to move from fragmented funding to large, structured projects,” Koffi Hounkpè, the World Bank’s representative, said.

University of Lomé President Adama Kpodar stressed the university’s role as a “strategic lever” to craft relevant climate projects and boost Togo’s leadership in global climate talks.

WACA ResIP strengthens coastal communities in six West African countries, including Togo, against natural and human threats. The project combines physical investments, institutional support, and regional cooperation to protect vulnerable coastlines.

In Togo, WACA has a $55.5 million budget and targets 200,000 beneficiaries. After finishing phase one in 2024, the project secured a two-year extension with extra funding from the French Development Agency.

This article was initially in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

As it approaches the close of its 2021–2025 strategic cycle, the West African Development Bank (BOAD) has announced a 98.8% execution rate for its financing objectives. The institution injected more than CFA3,310 billion into the economies of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), surpassing expectations and strengthening its position as a key driver of regional development.

Over the same period, BOAD raised CFA4,510 billion in resources—137% of its original target—including CFA2,064 billion sourced from external partners.

The update came during the first edition of the BOAD Development Days, held in Lomé on June 12–13. The forum gathered government officials, financial partners, and policy experts to accelerate dialogue around financing energy transition and sustainable agriculture across West Africa.

Togo Secures CFA308 Billion in BOAD Financing

Togo emerged as a major beneficiary, receiving nearly 9% of BOAD’s total disbursements—approximately CFA308 billion between 2021 and 2025. These funds supported rural infrastructure, off-grid solar energy systems, agro-industrial development, clean water access, and education. Key projects include hydro-agricultural developments and solar installations in remote areas.

Togo’s Economy and Finance Minister, Essowe Georges Barcola, opened the forum, calling it “a platform for ideas and concrete actions for West Africa’s future.” He emphasized the alignment between BOAD’s Djoliba Plan and Togo’s national roadmap (2020–2025), which focuses on inclusion, food sovereignty, and energy access.

A Regional Impact Across Key Sectors

BOAD’s impact across WAEMU is measurable. The bank helped:

• Generate 1,440 MW of new energy capacity
• Rehabilitate 3,800 kilometers of roads
• Supply 308,240 cubic meters of potable water per day
• Build 8,195 classrooms
• Support over 23,000 SMEs

Also, CFA158 billion helped improve digital connectivity, reaching an estimated 1.8 million people.

Leading on Climate Finance

BOAD also reinforced its positioning as West Africa’s foremost climate finance institution, committing CFA242.4 billion to green initiatives—CFA163.4 billion for mitigation and CFA79 billion for adaptation.

“Climate change, rapid urbanization, and food insecurity force us to rethink production, investment, and consumption,” said BOAD President Serge Ekué, addressing officials and former prime ministers from Benin and Burkina Faso.

Security as a Prerequisite for Development

Minister Barcola closed the session by emphasizing the importance of peace and stability. “No development without security. Without peace, all efforts risk failure,” he stated.

Togo has long prioritized this vision. In 2012, it championed the WAEMU Peace and Security Policy under the leadership of President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé. Today, the country aims to integrate security-driven diplomacy into a broader regional development agenda.

The BOAD Development Days are now set to become an annual event, reinforcing Lomé’s emerging role as a regional hub for sustainable development finance.

This article was initially published in French by Fiacre E. Kakpo

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) supports 1,000 smallholder farmers in Togo’s Kara region. Last week, the United Nations agency, with partners including the European Union, distributed agricultural inputs under the Pro-SADI project.

Farmers in each prefecture received 10 kg of maize seeds or 20 kg of rice, 100 kg of NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer, and 50 kg of urea with 46% nitrogen. The inputs aim to jumpstart farming activities for vulnerable producers.

This aid strengthens maize and rice production, especially in the Planned Agricultural Development Zones (ZAAP), which serve as cornerstones of Togo’s national agricultural policy.

This effort follows a 2024 phase that supported over 7,000 small producers in Kara and Savanes. It also complements the World Food Programme’s school feeding program, now active in 50 schools across the two regions.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïé Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo started a four-day intensive training on green bonds in Lomé on June 10. The government runs the program with help from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The training teaches officials how to design sustainable financial tools that fit Togo’s ESG standards.

Togo plans to shift to a low-carbon economy. It wants to raise long-term funds to back climate resilience projects. Green bonds will help by raising money solely for eco-friendly projects. These bonds give Togo a strong, competitive edge in global markets.

For UNDP’s Binta Sanneh, this tool boosts Togo’s appeal and strengthens its environmental reputation.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The West African Development Bank (BOAD) launched the first "BOAD Development Days" in Lomé on June 12, 2025. Experts, policymakers, and private sector leaders gathered for two days to tackle climate change, agriculture, and energy challenges in the WAEMU region.

The event focused on "Financing the Energy Transition and Sustainable Agriculture: Challenges, Opportunities, and Solutions." Organizers want real ideas and practical solutions for these critical sectors.

BOAD President Serge Ekue said, "For several years now, climate change is no longer an abstraction. It is no longer just an idea. It is real." He warned that farmers face growing pressure and more frequent climate shocks.

Ekue explained that agriculture and energy need massive investment, but many businesses still struggle to get funding. He urged leaders to use green finance, climate funding, and tech innovation through public-private partnerships.

BOAD continues to back member states with its "Djoliba" strategic plan for 2021-2025. The bank has invested CFA3,310 billion in the region’s economies since then. By June 30, 2024, BOAD had committed CFA1,977.9 billion to energy and natural resources projects.

Togo’s Economy and Finance Minister, Georges Barcola, called the event "a crossroads of ideas, a forum for exchanges, and a catalyst for concrete actions for the sub-region’s future." He said these days show states want to solve development issues, drive economic growth, and improve living conditions.

Organizers expect these annual meetings to reshape how West Africa funds its development.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

The World Bank has approved a $300 million boost for Togo’s agriculture sector. The package, announced June 11, 2025, will fuel the country’s decade-long modernization plan, ProMAT.

ProMAT aims to drive productivity, expand irrigation across 7,200 hectares, promote sustainable land use across 50,000 hectares, and push farmers to adopt climate-smart technology. The program takes a results-first approach and splits funding into two main phases.

“At the Togo Agricultural Producers Forum, farmers made it clear they want the World Bank to back the sector’s transformation,” declared World Bank representative Fily Sissoko. 

The plan targets over 340,000 farmers—including 114,000 women and 102,000 young people—and aims to create 72,500 jobs. It will help small farmers join bigger value chains and strengthen institutions like the Agricultural Transformation Agency.

In detail, the World Bank Group brings an integrated strategy, shaping public policy. The other partners, the IFC and MIGA, bring in private investors and guarantee agricultural inputs, respectively.

Lomé expects the new push will help turn agriculture into a powerhouse for resilience, job creation, and regional competitiveness.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho

Togo invested CFA213 billion in 2024 to implement key projects under its Education Sector Plan (PSE), according to the Ministry of National Education. The update came during a recent progress review session for the national roadmap to transform education by 2030.

Out of a CFA239 billion allocation for the year—defined in the Finance Law—Togo achieved an execution rate of 89.29%. This marks a 2.7% increase from the CFA207 billion disbursed in 2023, underscoring the government’s growing commitment to education.

The bulk of funding came from international development partners, including the Islamic Development Bank, the World Bank, and the French Development Agency. These institutions supported flagship programs such as the PAAQET (Project to Improve Access, Equity, and Quality of Education), PAQEEB (Project to Improve Basic Education Quality and Equity), PAREC II (College Reform Support Project), and initiatives promoting inclusive education in the Mô and Bassar prefectures.

Between 2023 and 2024, the government built 1,098 new classrooms and rehabilitated 690 more across preschool, primary, and secondary schools. In technical and vocational education, 107 classrooms, 49 workshops, 16 storage buildings, 3 computer labs, and 60 dormitories were either constructed or renovated.

The Industrial Trades Training Center (CFMI) received funding to expand its facilities and curriculum. In the university sector, the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL) opened a new teaching block, while two new research centers were launched.

Minister of Education Dodzi Kokoroko described the PSE as “more than a plan,” calling it a “collective commitment to make education a pillar of our development.” He added that the review session serves to align strategies and adjust priorities where needed.

Launched with support from technical and financial partners, the Education Sector Plan remains central to Togo’s ambition to create a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient education system by the end of the decade.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum