The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Osaka (CCI-Osaka) signed a cooperation agreement on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. The deal was formalized by José Symenouh, president of CCI-Togo, and Shingo Torii, president of CCI-Osaka, during Togo’s Economic Day at Expo 2025 Osaka.

The agreement aims to stimulate trade, encourage technology transfers, and support small and medium-sized enterprises from both countries in expanding internationally. Priority sectors include innovation, sustainable industry, energy transition, digital transformation, agribusiness, and logistics.

Through this partnership, Togolese companies will gain easier access to the Japanese market, especially in Osaka, one of Japan’s key economic hubs. Japanese businesses, in turn, will benefit from greater knowledge of the Togolese market and the broader West African region, where Togo plays a strategic role as a logistics hub through the Port of Lomé.

Dans le cadre de sa participation à l’exposition universelle 2025 à Osaka au Japon, le Togo a tenu mardi 19 août une journée économique avec plusieurs activités au menu...

➡️https://t.co/4W0zJ5w9sA#Denyigban #Togo??#CCITogo#ExpoOsaka2025 pic.twitter.com/Fd8NB8RsDJ

— Ministère du Commerce - TOGO (@CommercegouvTg) August 21, 2025

The convention marks another step in Togo’s strategy to strengthen ties with Asian markets, following similar agreements with countries such as China. It also deepens economic and trade cooperation between Lomé and Tokyo.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cumulative financial support from Japan to Togo reached nearly 41 billion yen (about CFA186 billion) by the end of 2022. On the trade side, bilateral exchanges in 2023 stood at 2.27 billion yen in Togolese exports to Japan — mainly sesame and non-ferrous metals — against 3.12 billion yen in imports from Japan, including fibers and machinery.

The government of Togo selected 119 private media outlets to receive public press support in 2025. Officials announced this decision following a meeting with media representatives on August 21 in Lomé. Out of 186 applicants, only those meeting the High Authority for Audiovisual and Communication’s (HAAC) criteria qualified.

Authorities allocated a budget of CFA150 million for this support. They distributed the funds based on how regularly media outlets publish and how viable their businesses are.

This year, HAAC introduced a key change: it will pay media outlets via bank transfer instead of using checks, which it used in previous years. HAAC said this move aims to increase transparency and improve tracking of the funds.

The distribution process took into account the different types of media involved — print, audiovisual, and digital.

However, a debate surfaced over publication frequency requirements for digital media. Some players called for adjusting these rules to better reflect the realities of the online landscape. In response, HAAC encouraged media organizations to work together to agree on fair and practical standards for evaluating digital outlets.

From August 15 to 17, Kpalimé in southwestern Togo hosted Weekend Loft – Special Edition Credit Risk & AI. This third edition brought finance professionals, bankers, and risk management experts from several African countries. They aimed to find new ways to improve credit prevention and monitoring in a fast-changing banking environment.

A tense regional context

The choice of topic reflected real urgency. Across the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the quality of credit portfolios worries regulators. Non-performing loans keep rising. Meanwhile, traditional credit tools — payslips, land titles, banking history — show their limits in predicting risk.

In Togo, banks maintain a solvency ratio of 12.2%, which seems stable. But the IMF flags several institutions as fragile and falling short of regulatory standards. As a result, banks grant credit cautiously, limiting finance access for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Weekend Loft emerged to address these challenges, backed by AMRAT (Association for Risk Management and Insurance of Togo).

Three days of intensive exchanges

The program featured four thematic sessions plus a collaborative workshop. It immersed participants in cutting-edge risk management tools.

On day one, experts mapped credit risk focusing on bank loans. They urged anticipation of high-risk areas and closer attention to early warning signs. That afternoon, a session on proactive credit management used case studies to show how banks can shift from reacting to problems toward structured anticipation.

Day two explored technology. A presentation on conversational agents showed how AI can track customer behavior, automate reminders, and detect subtle risk signals. Khalid Kezire, Chief Digital Officer of Bank of Africa Togo, then detailed how data from transactions, customer habits, and digital activity — including mobile money use, bill payments, and online behavior — can complement traditional scoring. This approach helps include often overlooked groups like young entrepreneurs, rural women, and informal workers.

The day ended with a collective intelligence workshop. Mixed groups brainstormed the “credit risk management system of tomorrow.” Ideas included predictive dashboards combining alternative data and regional platforms for sharing creditworthiness information.

Day three lightened the mood with a cultural visit to Château Viale and the Kpalimé waterfalls, blending inspiration with informal networking.

Experts at the helm

Khalid Yacoubou-Boukari, a certified risk management expert trained at HEC Paris and COFEB, led the event. Known for his clear teaching style, he stressed early detection and structured recovery. “The earlier a problem is identified, the easier it is to solve,” he said, highlighting a core principle of proactive credit management.

Participants hailed from Togo, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, and other countries. Their shared expertise helped compare strategies and identify common hurdles: data reliability, staff training, regulatory adaptation.

Between caution and innovation

Participants welcomed AI but acknowledged its boundaries. AI needs solid databases and strict governance. It cannot replace fundamental client selection criteria or regular credit monitoring.

Organizers urged a balance. Banks must combine classic methods — strict loan approvals, collateral checks, disciplined recovery — with digital tools to build a more resilient and inclusive system.

Khalid Yacoubou-Boukari concluded, “Beyond technical sessions, Weekend Loft created a space for informal exchanges and networking. This anchors reflection in a less institutional setting than traditional seminars.”

For attendees, the 2025 edition marked a milestone. In a region where credit risk management is now strategic, Kpalimé became the venue for a shared roadmap — blending regulatory caution with digital innovation.

In Yokohama, where the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) opened on Wednesday, 20 August 2025, Togolese President of the Council Faure Gnassingbé urged Africa and Japan to redefine their economic cooperation.

“We need to go beyond infrastructure. Africa and Japan must co-create industrial value chains. True prosperity comes from joint production. Our ambition is not just to be a transit hub. We want to transform our resources, produce locally and turn our young people into players in production, not just consumption,” Gnassingbé said.

Gnassingbé stressed the urgency of moving away from unequal trade relations. He called for a model built on shared production, technology transfer, and job creation. He highlighted automotive, energy, digital, and agribusiness as priority sectors for building integrated and connected ecosystems across the Indian Ocean.

Le Président du Conseil, @FEGnassingbe , a porté haut la voix des pays africains ce 20 août 2025 à Yokohama, à l’occasion du Forum sur le partenariat économique entre l’Afrique et les pays de l’Océan Indien.https://t.co/NZOgUjFSAv pic.twitter.com/fQoOy7RVVo

— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) August 20, 2025

With this vision, Lomé intends to consolidate its role as a regional logistics hub. The government plans to leverage its deep-water port, already seen as one of West Africa’s most efficient.

“Togo has chosen to be a strategic gateway serving the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the continent as a whole. The port of Lomé, the deepest on the West African coast, is already an essential logistics hub, capable of connecting Japanese industrial production directly to the African market,” Gnassingbé emphasised.

Esaie Edoh

In Togo, the government and Germany officially launched the Communes Financing Support Program (PAFC) on August 14, in Lomé. The initiative is backed by €20 million, or roughly CFA13 billion.

The program marks a turning point for local governance. For the first time, an international partner is contributing to the Local Authorities Support Fund (FACT), which has so far relied solely on the national budget. “This is a significant advancement reflecting the trust of our partners,” said Siangou Koumtchana, Technical Secretary of the FACT Management Commission.

The first stage of PAFC will benefit 60 communes across the Kara, Centrale, and Plateaux regions, with projects centered on education, healthcare, and boosting local economies. A second stage, estimated at €12 million, is planned to scale the program up to all 117 communes nationwide.

German authorities view the initiative as proof of their commitment to advancing credible and inclusive decentralization. Johannes Kinzinger, head of the KfW office in Lomé, highlighted “the central role of transparency and good governance” in the way resources will be managed.

The PAFC distinguishes itself by introducing assisted project management: communes will present initiatives aligned with their Communal Development Plans, while receiving stronger technical backing to maximize investment impact.

“This marks a turning point,” said Joseph Koami Gbloekpo Gomado, Minister of Land Use and Territorial Development and mayor of Golfe 1. He underlined that the program gives local governments a new instrument to tangibly improve the daily lives of their citizens.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Several African leaders, including Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council, attend the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9) starting Wednesday, August 20, in Yokohama, Japan. The Japanese government organizes the event in partnership with the United Nations, UNDP, the World Bank, and the African Union. It brings together heads of state, political leaders, and economic actors under the theme: “Co-creating innovative solutions with Africa.”

Le Président du Conseil, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, est arrivé ce mardi 19 août 2025 au Japon, pour prendre part aux travaux de la neuvième Conférence internationale de Tokyo sur le développement de l’Afrique (TICAD 9), dont l’ouverture officielle est prévue pour demain à… pic.twitter.com/6MrKpGfC91

— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) August 19, 2025

During the conference's plenary sessions, President Gnassingbé meets with Japanese officials and business leaders. These meetings serve to showcase Togo’s strengths and seek increased foreign investment. The government aims to use this capital to advance infrastructure, secure food sovereignty, and develop digital mapping technologies.

The talks may lead to new agreements designed to deepen already strong ties between Lomé and Tokyo. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that by the end of 2022, Japan invested nearly 41 billion yen (about CFA186 billion) in Togo, combining loans (9.35 billion yen), grants (28.45 billion yen), and technical assistance (3.01 billion yen).

On the trade front, Togo exported goods worth 2.27 billion yen to Japan in 2023, including sesame and non-ferrous metals. Meanwhile, Japan exported fibers and machinery worth 3.12 billion yen to Togo during the same period.

In addition to trade, Japan supports Togo’s development through targeted projects. For example, Tokyo signed a grant in November 2023 to fund a bypass road in Sokodé, aiming to enhance Togo’s logistical connectivity. Furthermore, Japan aids Togo's food security by donating rice under the Kennedy Round (KR) program.

Esaie Edoh

Togo’s Savanes Region Approves CFA840 Million Budget for 2025

The Savanes Regional Council in northern Togo adopted a budget of CFA840 million for the rest of 2025. The council approved the measure on Saturday, 16 August, during its third ordinary session held in Dapaong.

The council allocated the funds to several key sectors. In education, ten secondary schools will each receive new buildings with classrooms, offices, desks, and benches to improve learning conditions.

In health, maternity wards will be built in four prefectures. Officials say the facilities will reduce childbirth risks, improve newborn survival rates, and provide maternal health services closer to rural communities.

The budget also earmarks funds for the cotton sector, which plays a strategic role in the local economy, as well as for food crops. Authorities want to strengthen food security and help producers cope with ongoing security challenges in the region.

After the budget adoption, Regional Council President Banlepo Nabaguedjoa pledged fast action. “Starting tomorrow, these commitments must be translated into visible and measurable actions in our fields, our schools, our health centres, on our roads and in every village,” he said.

Esaïe Edoh

• Zener International Holding (ZIH) secured CFA13.5 billion with Ecobank’s support to expand in Guinea-Bissau.
• The funding will finance the takeover of Petrogal Guinea-Bissau assets, including petrol stations, fuel depots, and aviation storage.
• BOAD and other regional institutions joined the deal, reflecting a wider trend of African players replacing international majors.

Togolese energy group Zener International Holding (ZIH) has raised CFA13.5 billion to develop operations in Guinea-Bissau. Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), through its subsidiary EDC Investment Corporation (EIC), structured the fundraising, the company confirmed this week.

The deal allows Zener to take over the assets of Petrogal Guinea-Bissau, once owned by Portugal’s Galp Energia. The assets include a network of petrol stations, strategic fuel and gas depots, and aviation storage facilities across the country.

“Taking over Petrogal GB means establishing a long-term foothold in a high-potential market and promoting a vision of locally invested, forward-looking energy,” said Jonas Aklesso Daou, president of ZIH.

Ecobank said the transaction fits its ambition to support African-led economic growth. “By facilitating this takeover, we are affirming our commitment to supporting visionary African companies in key sectors,” said Paul-Harry Aithnard, Ecobank’s Regional Executive Director for the West and Central African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA).

Ecobank worked with other regional financial institutions to complete the operation. BOAD contributed CFA5 billion in June, underscoring the scale of pooled financing behind the deal.

The transaction reflects a growing trend: global energy majors are gradually reducing their footprint in Africa while regional firms such as Zener expand. Analysts see this as part of broader pan-African growth and integration.

This is not Zener’s first major financing. In August 2022, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private sector arm, granted the company €16.2 million. That package expanded LPG storage capacity by 3,600 tonnes, equipped five new service stations with gas cylinder exchange modules and solar kits, and supported energy transition infrastructure.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

• Organizers expect nearly 2,000 young people in Lomé for the second edition of the Youth Delivery Lab (YDL).
• Debates will focus on agro-industry, sports industry, peace, and social cohesion.
• Regional editions in Kara and Atakpamé already laid the groundwork in 2024.

The Youth Delivery Lab (YDL) will return to Lomé this year after a successful first edition in 2023. Organizers expect nearly 2,000 young people to attend, four times the number mobilized in the debut event.

Les thèmes du #YDL2025 sont là ! Autour du thème général "Valorisation du potentiel de la jeunesse au service du développement" On parlera :
? Agro-industrie
⚽ Industrie du sport
? Paix & cohésion sociale
Prêt·e à agir ? Rejoins-nous ? https://t.co/4COyYwr5Ur#YDL2025 #Togo pic.twitter.com/ZQc7tUbjdx

— Youth Delivery Lab (@YouthDLab) August 14, 2025

The roundtable will bring together young Togolese from across the country and the diaspora. It will also include researchers, entrepreneurs, association leaders, and professionals from both public and private sectors. Organizers want participants to exchange views, debate issues, and propose solutions under the theme “Harnessing the Potential of Young People for Development.”

The agenda already highlights several areas: development of the agro-industry, revitalization of the sports industry, and efforts to strengthen peace and social cohesion. Each topic reflects priorities voiced by young people in earlier consultations.

Ahead of the main event, organizers held regional editions in Kara and Atakpamé in August 2024. These sessions aimed to capture local realities and ensure representation from young people nationwide.

The first YDL, also held in Lomé in 2023, focused on “Promoting Local SMEs to Become National Champions.” That edition gathered participants from every economic region and from diverse sectors to discuss the foundations of nation building.

Organizers opened online registration several weeks ago and continue to welcome sign-ups from interested participants.

Octave A. Bruce