In Lomé, the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA) gathered more than 100 religious leaders of various faiths on October 28–29, 2025, for a seminar focused on their role in preventing money laundering and terrorism financing (AML/CFT). The event, held at the Hotel Sancta Maria, is part of GIABA’s regional community awareness strategy led from its Dakar headquarters.

Faith as a moral barrier against financial crime

In a message delivered on his behalf by Timothy Melaye, Senior Communications Officer, GIABA Director General Edwin W. Harris Jr. said that religion “can and should be a force for unity and resilience,” but warned that it can also be exploited by criminal networks. He stressed the need for active cooperation between public institutions and religious authorities to “strengthen collective vigilance” against money laundering, terrorism financing, and extremist propaganda.

According to GIABA, religious organizations play a key role in social cohesion and preventing violent extremism. Their sermons, charitable activities, and proximity to communities make them essential partners in awareness efforts, but also expose them to risks of misuse. “Charitable funds can be diverted, and humanitarian associations can, sometimes unknowingly, serve as channels for illicit financing,” the official warned.

Togo strengthens its oversight

Opening the seminar, Koudjoou Esso, representing Minister of Territorial Administration Colonel Hodabalo Awaté, commended GIABA’s initiative and reaffirmed Togo’s commitment to fighting illicit financial flows. He noted that “terrorism and organized crime often hide behind legitimate activities” and that places of worship and charitable organizations must remain “havens of peace, not conduits for opaque financial flows.”

He also referred to President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé’s call for a “comprehensive and coordinated approach” to counterterrorism, highlighting recent regional peace and security forums held in Lomé.

Religious leaders called to action

Tchaa Bignossi Aquiteme, president of Togo’s Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF-Togo) and GIABA’s national correspondent, said the meeting aimed to “build a bridge of trust between authorities and spiritual leaders.” He urged participants to “intensify awareness within their communities” and promote financial transparency in their institutions.

The discussions covered red flags of money laundering, reporting mechanisms, and good governance practices within religious organizations.

From its base in Togo, Gozem continues to expand its footprint in West Africa’s tech landscape. In seven years, the startup has generated more than $90 million (about CFA55 billion) in earnings for 40,000 driver-partners, referred to as its “champions,” who contribute to the company’s growth model.

In parallel, over 7,000 vehicles have been financed for a total of $20 million (about CFA12 billion). These figures, disclosed by Group Director Jean-Martial Moulaud during the inauguration of Gozem’s new offices in Lomé, reflect the company’s scale and its economic impact.

Founded in 2018 as a simple motorcycle taxi booking app, Gozem has since evolved into a digital ecosystem that integrates mobility, e-commerce, and financial services.

The company first expanded across several Togolese cities—Kara, Kpalimé, Atakpamé, Aného, Tsévié, and Sokodé—before reaching other West and Central African markets. Backed by International Finance Corporation (IFC) funding in 2022, Gozem strengthened its growth strategy through the acquisition of two startups, one in Togo and another in Benin, to deepen its presence in e-commerce and digital payments.

“These results show that our vision of building a complete digital ecosystem serving people and partners is taking shape. With our new offices, we aim to provide a modern workspace that fosters innovation and attracts top talent to continue growing from Togo,” said Jean-Martial Moulaud, Gozem Group Director.

New headquarters to drive innovation

Togo now hosts Gozem’s regional headquarters, inaugurated on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, in the presence of Minister of Territorial Administration Hodabalo Awate and Deputy Minister of Sports and Youth Abdul-Fahd Fofana.

The multi-story facility was designed to promote innovation, featuring a real-time vehicle monitoring center to optimize field operations. It also includes coworking spaces to encourage collaboration among teams and partners. The first two floors are reserved for startups seeking to join the Gozem ecosystem, providing a launchpad for emerging tech ventures.

“This headquarters symbolizes our commitment to our teams and our ambition to build a tech hub in Togo,” said Ange Amegnikpo, Managing Director of Gozem Togo.

The initiative comes as Togo’s startup ecosystem grows rapidly in mobility, fintech, e-commerce, agritech, and digital technology. The government aims to make the country a regional tech hub by improving access to funding for young enterprises.

Ecobank Togo and mobile money operator Mixx Togo have launched a new service, Mbanking, allowing customers to seamlessly transfer funds between their Ecobank accounts and Mixx wallets.

The service ,which also enables transfers from Mixx wallets to Ecobank accounts ,was officially unveiled on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, during a ceremony that brought together executives and clients of both companies at the headquarters of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) in Lomé.

The interoperability platform is already live and allows Ecobank customers and Mixx users to perform a range of transactions directly from their phones, with or without an internet connection. Available services include balance checks, transaction history, and mini-statements.

Customers can access these services through the “Banking Service” tab on the Mixx Togo Super App, via the Ecobank Mobile app, or by dialing 145613#. The new feature offers thousands of people a way to manage their finances without visiting a bank branch. A live demonstration at the launch showcased the system’s reliability and security.

Accessible from both smartphones and basic phones, Mbanking extends formal banking services to rural areas where traditional branches remain scarce.

“This partnership is a win-win that meets a real need ,making life easier for families, merchants, and small businesses,” said Estelle Fafa Akue-Komlan, General Manager of Ecobank Togo. “Mobile Money has become an everyday tool.”

“This new partnership with Ecobank was the missing link for the Mixx service,” said Catherine Savery, General Manager of Mixx Togo. “We already had similar partnerships with other banks, but Ecobank’s extensive network will give Mixx users greater access and opportunities.”

The Ecobank Group serves over 24 million customers across retail, commercial, and corporate banking in 35 African countries, according to the latest data. Jean-Claude Kponoume, Head of Monetics Products at YAS, said all transactions between Ecobank and Mixx will remain subject to Mixx’s transaction limits, depending on whether users hold standard or extended wallets.

S.A

Togo’s Ministry of Territorial Planning, Urban Development, and Housing has announced a new project to rehabilitate key road infrastructure in Lomé. The initiative begins with the upgrade of two major arteries totaling 10.2 km.

The sections concerned are the Carrefour Y–Adidogomé Massalassi–RN5 road (2 km) and the CEDEAO road (Grand Contournement–Entreprise de l’Union–RN5 Adidogomé section, 7.2 km) in the southwest of the capital. The detailed preliminary designs (APD) for these routes were provisionally approved during a technical workshop held last week in Lomé.

Once the final designs are validated, all technical data — including plans, measurements, cost estimates, and geotechnical, environmental, and social studies — will be finalized to launch the implementation phase.

According to the ministry, now headed by Kodjo Adédzé, the project aims to improve urban mobility, strengthen connectivity, reduce transport costs, enhance road safety, and stimulate economic development in the capital. It is part of the national effort to equip the country with modern infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development.

The European Union (EU) Delegation in Togo launched the #AgirEnsemble campaign on October 27 in Lomé to highlight concrete results from its partnership with Togo and EU member states.  

Implemented under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the communication campaign aims to “illustrate the strength of partnership through stories, testimonies, and field visuals,” the Delegation said. Over three months, the campaign will run across national media — including television, radio, print, and social networks — featuring Togolese personalities and project beneficiaries.  

It will spotlight key sectors such as entrepreneurship and youth, energy and connectivity, and environmental protection. Field examples include women’s shea butter cooperatives in Kalaré and green initiatives in Kpalimé and Aného, celebrating “collective achievements” of the EU–Togo partnership.  

“Through #AgirEnsemble, we want to show that our cooperation is, above all, a story of concrete actions and shared results,” said Stéphane Devaux, acting EU chargé d’affaires in Togo.  

The Global Gateway strategy promotes sustainable investment in infrastructure, connectivity, and green transition to create jobs and opportunities for young people. In Togo, Team Europe — comprising the EU, France, Germany, and Luxembourg — coordinates support for inclusive growth and sustainable transformation, with total funding of €201 million.

Dogta-Lafiè Hospital in Lomé has introduced Focal One, a French robotic technology for treating prostate cancer using high-intensity focused ultrasound. Togo thus becomes the first African country to adopt this medical device, designed as a less invasive alternative to traditional surgery and radiotherapy.

The Focal One system precisely targets cancerous tissue without incision or radiation, reducing post-operative risks. According to Professor Kodjo Tengue, a urology specialist at Dogta-Lafiè, “this technology marks a major breakthrough in treating localized cancers by minimizing side effects and speeding up recovery.”

The acquisition aligns with the national strategy to modernize healthcare and strengthen precision medicine. Training and knowledge transfer programs are planned with French partners to ensure local expertise in operating and maintaining the device.

The initiative also supports prevention efforts. Alongside this innovation, the hospital has launched a breast cancer screening center as part of the “Pink October” campaign, aimed at promoting early diagnosis and improving cancer control in Togo, where mortality rates from the disease remain relatively high.

• Summit gathers African leaders to boost investment in key infrastructure
• Event focuses on trade corridors and integration under the AfCFTA
• Togo seeks to attract investors and expand transport and logistics projects

The 3rd Luanda Summit on Infrastructure Financing in Africa opened on October 28, 2025, in the Angolan capital, bringing together several African heads of state, including Togo’s President of the Council, Faure Gnassingbé.

À l’invitation de Son Excellence João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, @jlprdeangola, Président de la République d’Angola, et Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Son Excellence Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, @FEGnassingbe Président du Conseil, participe ce 28 octobre 2025 au 3ᵉ… pic.twitter.com/qUuainJ5Rw

— Présidence du Conseil du Togo (@presidencecstg) October 28, 2025

Jointly organized by the African Union Commission and the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the event is held under the theme “Capital, Corridors, Commerce: Investing in Infrastructure for the AfCFTA and Shared Prosperity.” Discussions aim to shape strategies for infrastructure development, a key driver of intra-African trade and economic integration.

According to a statement from the Togolese Presidency, African leaders will explore strategic investment opportunities aligned with the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) and the African Union’s Master Plan for Regional and Continental Connectivity.

For Togo, this participation is particularly significant as the country steps up efforts to modernize its transport and logistics infrastructure, enhance investor appeal, and fully leverage opportunities created by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

• Former Prime Minister succeeds Kodjo Adédzé as head of Parliament
• Klassou becomes the 15th speaker in Togo’s political history
• His election follows the formation of the first government of the Fifth Republic

Sélom Klassou, a member of the Union for the Republic (UNIR) and former Prime Minister from 2015 to 2020, has been elected speaker of Togo’s National Assembly. He succeeds Kodjo Adédzé, who was appointed Minister of Territorial Planning, Urban Development, and Housing on October 8, 2025, in the country’s first government under the Fifth Republic.

Klassou was elected on October 28, 2025, during the second plenary session of the ordinary sitting held at the Parliament’s headquarters. A native of Notsè in the Haho Prefecture, he becomes the 15th speaker of the Assembly in Togo’s history.

A veteran politician who has served under both Eyadéma and Faure Gnassingbé, Klassou previously held the position of deputy speaker before becoming Prime Minister in 2015. Under current parliamentary rules, he will lead the legislature for a three-year term, supported by a bureau comprising six deputy speakers, three financial officers, and three parliamentary secretaries.

With the recent adoption of a bicameral system under the new parliamentary regime, Togo now has a Senate chaired by Barry Moussa Barqué and a National Assembly led by Sélom Klassou. According to a political analyst specializing in the country, “institutionally, everything is now in place for Togo to launch the major projects of the Fifth Republic.”

Fair trade-certified cocoa cooperatives in Togo are now eligible for a new financing mechanism launched under the Équité 3 program, cofinanced by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM).

The call for proposals, coordinated by Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF), seeks to support agroecological transition and combat deforestation within fair trade sectors in West Africa, specifically in Togo, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire.

Cooperatives have until November 12, 2025, to submit their concept notes. Each selected project will be eligible for a grant of up to €60,000 for a period of 24 to 36 months.

Eligible activities include “zero-deforestation” traceability, crop diversification, adoption of sustainable processing technologies, and greater inclusion of women and young producers.

According to the call document, at least six cocoa cooperatives and eight cooperatives from other sectors—such as cashew, shea, fruit, and crafts—will be selected. The goal is to strengthen the economic and environmental sustainability of farmers’ organizations and promote replicable regional models.

For Togolese stakeholders, the mechanism offers an opportunity to boost the competitiveness of a small but promising cocoa sector. Although modest in scale and still facing structural challenges like aging plantations, the industry is recovering. Cocoa exports rose by 50% in the 2024–2025 season, reaching 4,400 tons compared with 2,618 tons in 2023–2024.

The country’s new national strategy is geared toward quality, emphasizing organic and fair trade production, local value addition, and market diversification for exports.