Togo First
Togo to pilot market modernisation project with French engineering firm
French firm ABN Engineering & Consulting will roll out integrated service centres in Togolese markets under a project called “Maisons de services.”
A memorandum of understanding was signed on Feb. 27, 2026, in Lomé by the company’s director, Nabil Abid, and Togo’s Minister of the Economy and Strategic Planning, Badanam Patoki. The agreement provides for the gradual conversion of selected markets into structured service platforms.
The company, which specialises in engineering, technical studies and industrial solutions, plans to install modern equipment to address transaction security, improve the preservation of agricultural goods and tackle shortages of reliable weighing devices.
The pilot phase will begin at Adidogomé market in Lomé and at Djidzenou market. Each site will host a service centre of about 250 square metres.
The centres will be equipped with certified digital scales, multi-product mills, bagging machines and refrigerated containers to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. They will also include training rooms to help traders and producers improve business practices.
The government says the project will help formalise market activity, raise incomes for traders and ensure fairer, more transparent transactions. It forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of local trade and modernise market infrastructure. The initiative is backed by France’s Private Sector Study and Aid Fund (FASEP), a financing mechanism that supports French companies involved in major development projects abroad.
Togo approves new law to combat illicit financial flows, terrorism
Togo’s National Assembly approved a new law aimed at combating money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, following a second Senate reading last weekend.
The new framework aligns national legislation with updated international and regional standards. It replaces the 2018 law and incorporates revised recommendations from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), as well as a directive adopted in 2023 by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). Over time, the reform is expected to strengthen the transparency and credibility of Togo’s financial system amid persistent regional security threats.
“While money laundering allows criminals to give a legal appearance to the proceeds of crime, terrorist financing endangers collective security,” said Badanam Patoki, Minister of Economy and Strategic Oversight.
The law introduces a risk-based approach, extending due diligence obligations to new actors, including virtual asset service providers, and tightening requirements for identifying the ultimate beneficial owners of transactions.
The government said the legislation was necessary because such activities weaken the economy, divert resources intended for development and fuel instability by supporting international terrorist and criminal networks.
Authorities said the reform would reinforce the existing legal framework, modernise monitoring systems and strengthen coordination among agencies involved in tackling illicit financial flows. It is also expected to improve implementation of the risk-based approach, intensify due diligence requirements for reporting entities and streamline procedures for freezing assets linked to terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Esaïe Edoh
Maritime Dispute: Ghana Seeks Arbitration, Togo Pledges to Defend Claims
Togo publicly responded to Ghana’s decision to submit their long-running maritime boundary dispute to international arbitration, reaffirming its commitment to a peaceful legal resolution while signaling it will defend its claims.
The government briefed national and international media at the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Local Governance and Customary Affairs, two days after the Council of Ministers formally acknowledged Ghana’s move.
Origins of the Dispute
The dispute stems from a series of maritime incidents between November 2016 and May 2018 in waters where the boundary between the two countries had not been formally delimited. Officials said the incidents did not escalate into armed confrontation.
Both sides subsequently agreed on operational guidelines for their navies in disputed areas to avoid escalation.
Togo says it prioritized a negotiated settlement, in line with Paragraph 3 of the UN Charter and Articles 273-281 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which require disputes to be resolved peacefully by means chosen by the parties. Negotiations formally began in June 2018.
Bilateral Talks and Technical Progress
Between June 2018 and December 2023, the two countries held 11 official meetings alternately in Lomé and Accra under a bilateral negotiation framework.
According to Togolese officials, discussions led to technical progress, including agreement on the starting point of the maritime boundary, identification of the relevant baseline, and the preparation of a reference map. However, key disagreements remained.
Togo requested that additional historical, technical and security factors be taken into account to ensure what it describes as equitable access to the high seas. It argues that the boundary derived solely from standard technical calculations would effectively limit such access.
Under UNCLOS, parties may seek adjustments to a provisional boundary by invoking relevant circumstances, said Noupokou Dammipi, Togo’s Chief Negotiator. Togo submitted what it considers compelling historical and operational evidence to support a revision of the boundary line.
Among the elements cited is the historical anchorage zone used by vessels waiting to berth at the Port of Lomé, which Togo believes should be factored into any final delimitation. Officials describe this issue as the core point of divergence in the negotiations.
Following Ghana’s recent change of government and the return of President John Dramani Mahama, Togolese officials said they had been awaiting the installation of new authorities within the Ghana Boundary Commission to resume talks. Instead, they were informed of Ghana’s decision to refer the dispute to international arbitration.
Togo’s Reaction
Dammipi said resorting to arbitration is a standard legal mechanism under international law and does not in itself constitute a rupture. He said Togo will present its case in full and expressed confidence in the strength of its arguments.
Minister Hodabalo Awate reiterated the government’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution, stating that Togo remains attached to the principles of international law, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and good-faith compliance with international obligations. He said Togo would participate in the proceedings responsibly and with the aim of safeguarding its national interests.
Economic Stakes
While the dispute is framed in legal and technical terms, it carries economic implications. The contested maritime zone lies in the Gulf of Guinea basin, a region with significant hydrocarbon potential. Ghana already operates major offshore oil and gas fields that have contributed substantially to its economy.
A boundary adjustment could influence the allocation of future exploration blocks, licensing decisions, tax revenues and energy investments. For Ghana, the priority is likely to protect existing and prospective energy assets. For Togo, which has yet to develop offshore production, the issue is strategic: securing sovereign access to potential future resources. Offshore hydrocarbons represent potential fiscal revenues, royalties, employment and foreign investment. The arbitration process will determine how these prospective benefits are geographically allocated.
S.A
AfDB Explores Investment in Cattle and Poultry Value Chains in Togo
The African Development Bank (AfDB) plans to finance a program to develop cattle, small ruminant and poultry value chains in Togo.
As part of the preparation phase, an AfDB mission visited Lomé this week for talks with the Togolese Coordination of Farmers’ Organizations and Agricultural Producers (CTOP) on investment opportunities in the livestock sub-sector.
The delegation met stakeholders across the various value chains, including professional associations and livestock farmers. Participants outlined day-to-day production challenges and identified priority input needs, particularly chicks, feed and vaccines.
They also highlighted constraints related to access to finance, markets and infrastructure. Discussions focused on measures to improve productivity, biosecurity, processing capacity and product marketing, especially in the poultry segment.
According to stakeholders, the consultations enabled the AfDB team to gather field data to help shape the program’s design. The objective is to develop a scheme tailored to local conditions and sector bottlenecks.
The program under preparation aims to strengthen the resilience of livestock systems, raise output and increase farmers’ incomes. It is also intended to reduce Togo’s reliance on meat and poultry imports, a key issue for food security.
More broadly, the initiative seeks to structure value chains, attract private investment and boost rural economic activity. It aligns with the government’s strategy to modernize agriculture and position livestock as a driver of growth, jobs and food security.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo ranks second in Africa in World Bank gender law index
Togo ranked second in Africa in the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law report released on Feb. 24.
The country scored 79.33 out of 100, behind Mauritius at 82.30 and ahead of Côte d’Ivoire at 78.25. It ranked first within ECOWAS and UEMOA, as well as among Francophone African countries. The result places Togo ahead of several larger economies on the continent.
Tougher methodology highlights legal progress
The 2026 edition of the report covers 190 economies and applies a more demanding assessment framework. In addition to reviewing legislation, the index evaluates implementation, institutional capacity and how rights are exercised in practice.
Togo performed particularly strongly on the legal framework component.
Lomé recorded perfect scores of 100 in four areas: pay, marriage, assets and pensions. In these areas, the law treats men and women equally, including equal pay for equal work and equal rights in marriage, property ownership and retirement benefits.
The country also allows employees to request flexible working arrangements, a provision that remains uncommon across much of Africa. Togo scored above the sub-Saharan average on parental rights and women’s entrepreneurship. Reforms in employment policy and childcare, areas that have long constrained women’s labour force participation, have produced measurable gains.
On mobility, which includes a woman’s right to travel, obtain a passport and choose her residence without spousal consent, Togo received a legal score of 75. Its implementation score stood at 68.75, suggesting these rights are broadly exercised in practice. In parts of the region, spousal consent requirements remain in place.
Institutional gaps remain
The report identified areas for further progress. Togo scored 31.95 on institutional support mechanisms, pointing to weaknesses in enforcement and administrative backing. The implementation perception score was 64.54, indicating that effective application of rights remains uneven.
The Business Climate Cell said in a statement that the findings underscore the need to strengthen institutional support systems and acknowledged that legislative reform alone is insufficient. The government reiterated its commitment to consolidating recent gains and expanding women’s participation in the economy.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Togo opens 2026 cashew season, cuts farm-gate price to 350 CFA francs per kg
Togo officially launched its 2026 cashew marketing season on Thursday, Feb. 26, setting the farm-gate floor price at 350 CFA francs per kilogram. Industry stakeholders expect around 45,000 tonnes of raw cashew nuts to reach the market this season.
The new price marks a decline of 75 CFA francs per kg from the 425 CFA francs set during the previous campaign.
Authorities also fixed the delivery price for processors at 400 CFA francs per kg, all taxes included. The rate applies to a capped volume of 8,125 tonnes allocated across processing companies.
“We considered several factors before setting this price, including production costs per hectare. At this level, farmers will not incur losses,” Mawuko Komlan Gozan, president of the Interprofessional Council of the Cashew Sector in Togo (CIFAT), said. He added that prices in neighboring countries remain broadly aligned, citing Côte d’Ivoire at 400 CFA francs per kg and both Burkina Faso and Benin at 385 CFA francs per kg.
Economy Minister Badanam Patoki, who attended the launch meeting, stressed the need to strengthen the international competitiveness of Togolese cashews. He urged stakeholders to improve the quality of raw nuts to avoid price discounts and contract cancellations.
Cashew production in Togo rose from 22,937 tonnes in 2019 to 45,000 tonnes in 2025, an increase of more than 96%.
Esaïe Edoh
BOAD Development Days to Put Sustainable Housing in Focus in Lomé
The West African Development Bank (BOAD) will host the second BOAD Development Days on June 11-12, 2026, in Lomé. The event will bring together policymakers, investors and technical partners to discuss financing sustainable housing across the WAEMU region.
The forum, themed “Inclusive Housing and Energy Sovereignty,” aims to foster dialogue on solutions tailored to rapid urbanization and the energy transition. According to the Lomé-based development bank, discussions will focus on innovative financing mechanisms, green finance instruments and public-private partnerships. BOAD also plans to explore additional channels, including fintech solutions, to broaden access to funding.
The event forms part of the bank’s strategy to mobilize resources for large-scale projects. Housing is presented as a cross-cutting priority, linked to regional integration, job creation and climate resilience.
The first edition, held in June 2025 in Lomé, focused on energy transition and sustainable agriculture. It brought together participants from several countries and underscored investment needs in key sectors.
BOAD is the development bank of the eight WAEMU member states and finances projects in infrastructure, energy, agriculture and the private sector from its headquarters in Lomé.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
University of Lome tests scalable model linking farmers to school meals
The University of Lome has launched an initiative to integrate local agriculture into Togo’s national school feeding programme. The institution introduced the CRISP-UL Togo project last week in Adetikope to increase the supply of locally produced food to school canteens.
The project is being implemented in partnership with Canada’s International Development Research Centre. It will run for 42 months and is due to conclude in September 2028.
The programme aims to organise local supply chains for school canteens while promoting climate resilience and social inclusion.
Three pilot regions
The project will be rolled out in three pilot regions: Plateaux, Kara and Savanes. Authorities have identified 180 schools to take part. Demonstration sites will be set up to test agroecological methods, school gardens and small-scale livestock farming.
University officials said the initiative is based on applied research. Its objective is to develop scalable supply models that can be replicated nationwide.
Project coordinators said rural women are among the main beneficiaries, notably through improved access to school food procurement.
“We are not only launching a research project. We are building a solid bridge that connects women farmers’ fields directly to students’ plates,” said Dr. Kanda Madjouma, the project coordinator.
At the launch, the Interministerial Committee for School Meals stressed the importance of canteens in improving school attendance and academic performance. School feeding was described as supporting poverty reduction, public health and education outcomes.
A study on gender and social inclusion was also presented. The findings are expected to guide operational decisions by identifying barriers to resource access for producers and vulnerable groups.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
Togo trains ministry finance directors on budget alignment reforms
Directors of Financial Affairs (DAFs) from Togo’s ministries and public institutions have been meeting since Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, for a three-day workshop aimed at improving public financial management.
The discussions focus on harmonizing budget execution tools, as the government pursues reforms to strengthen fiscal discipline and transparency.
Specifically, participants are working to align key planning documents, including treasury plans, expenditure authorization forms, commitment plans, public procurement plans, and annual work plans and budgets, with the Integrated Public Financial Management System (SIGFiP), the administration’s central budget management platform.
The objective is to ensure consistency across these documents and improve budget oversight.
Over time, the reform is expected to improve anticipation of ministries’ financing needs and support more efficient resource allocation. It also aims to optimize cash flow management, reducing the risk of both liquidity shortages and excesses while strengthening the prioritization of spending in line with government objectives.
Organizers said aligning these tools marks a decisive step toward improving the quality of budget execution and facilitating monitoring of within-year and annual performance.
“The alignment of these tools should allow for better management of budget execution, with a view to achieving within-year and annual budget objectives while ensuring effective fiscal control,” said Ephrem Ghonda Makiadi, a resident public financial management advisor (FAD) serving as a trainer during the workshop.
Stéphane Akaya, Secretary General of the Ministry of Finance and Budget, said the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening budget transparency and producing data in line with international standards.
The workshop builds on reforms undertaken in recent years to modernize public management, improve the credibility of the state budget and enhance the efficiency of public spending.
Ecobank Togo, SUNU launch premium life policy targeting affluent clients
Ecobank Togo and SUNU Assurances Vie Togo have partnered to launch Protectys Premium, a life insurance policy targeting middle- and high-income clients, in a move that reflects growing momentum in bancassurance across West Africa.
The product, distributed through Ecobank’s branch network, offers a lump-sum payout in the event of death or total and permanent disability, alongside a long-term savings component. It is available to Ecobank account holders aged 18 to 74, an upper limit above the market standard, typically set around 64.
“It is an insurance product that allows clients to pay a modest premium in exchange for significant capital protection for their families,” said Maurice Mawutodji Mortey, product lead at Ecobank Togo. The policy does not impose a maximum coverage limit, setting it apart from more conventional life insurance contracts in the market.
The offer is positioned for clients seeking to build substantial capital for beneficiaries, a segment that remains underdeveloped in Togo, where life insurance penetration is below 1% of GDP.
Strategic alignment
The partnership brings together two leading players in Togo’s financial sector. Ecobank Togo is the largest subsidiary of the pan-African Ecobank Group, which operates in 35 countries and serves more than 32 million customers. The group was named “Innovative Bank of the Year 2025” by The Banker magazine.
SUNU Assurances Vie Togo, part of the SUNU Group, operates within a network spanning 17 countries and 26 insurance companies. The company says it led the Togolese life insurance market in 2023 and 2024, with share capital of 3 billion CFA francs.
The rationale behind the partnership is based on distribution leverage. By using Ecobank’s banking infrastructure, SUNU gains access to an already segmented and banked customer base.
For Ecobank, the move expands its integrated financial services offering. This is a strategic priority as African banks face mounting competition from fintechs and increasing pressure to retain higher-value clients.
Competitive landscape
Joint product development between banks and insurers remains relatively limited in Togo, although bancassurance is expanding. Orabank Togo offers a dedicated range of bancassurance services, while other institutions distribute insurance products through partnerships with established market players.
NSIA Banque Togo operates in close coordination with NSIA Assurances. Cofina Togo, a mesofinance institution, also maintains a dedicated unit for insurance distribution.
Across the West African Economic and Monetary Union, banks and insurers are increasingly deepening partnerships to capture customers who traditionally separate savings and protection products.
Beyond product innovation, the broader challenge remains financial literacy. In a country where life insurance penetration remains low, sustained growth in the segment will depend not only on distribution capacity but also on improving public understanding of long-term financial protection.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi