Togo First
Togo’s National Health Institute introduces digital platform and secure Insurance card
Togo’s National Health Insurance Institute (INAM) has launched an online platform and a new secure smart card for the Universal Health Insurance (AMU) scheme, marking a new phase in the modernization of its services, the institution said on Tuesday in Lomé.
The digital rollout aims to make services more accessible to policyholders, INAM Director Justin Tchilabalo Pilante said.
Under the new system, users can submit applications online and track their status in real time, a move expected to significantly cut waiting times for insurance cards. The platform also offers continuous access via mobile phones and computers.
The initiative is part of a digital transformation effort underway for nearly two years, including a full overhaul of INAM’s IT system to improve service delivery and simplify administrative procedures.
“In response to the evolving demands of AMU management, INAM has since 2025 undertaken a full overhaul of its information system, with the aim of digitalizing services for policyholders and introducing a new, more secure smart card through the deployment of agile, interoperable software,” Pilante said.
During the ceremony, AMU-INAM smart cards were symbolically handed over to officials, marking the operational rollout of the system. The initiative supports the government’s goal of accelerating universal health coverage in Togo, the institution said.
The move follows similar progress at the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), the second body managing the AMU scheme, and signals a broader phase of digitalization for all policyholders, whether covered by INAM or CNSS.
“INAM is following the CNSS with the launch of its digital platform,” Pilante said, adding that the system was developed to the same standards.
Esaïe Edoh
Togo, Côte d’Ivoire agree to deepen cooperation between arbitration courts
Togo and Côte d'Ivoire signed an agreement on Tuesday to strengthen cooperation between their arbitration courts.
The convention, signed in Abidjan on April 21, 2026, applies to the Cour d'arbitrage de Côte d'Ivoire (CACI) and its Togolese counterpart, the Cour d'arbitrage du Togo (CATO). CATO was represented by its president, Dr. Kwassi Symenouh. The agreement was signed under the auspices of the two countries' chambers of commerce.
The partnership is expected to improve the resolution of commercial disputes and strengthen legal certainty across the region. For business authorities, the initiative is part of a broader push for integration within the West African economic bloc UEMOA and efforts to facilitate trade.
The agreement provides for exchanges of expertise, information and data between the two institutions. It includes training activities and efforts to promote awareness of arbitration and mediation among businesses. The aim is to promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms alongside traditional courts.
For stakeholders, the deal aims to create a more predictable environment for investors. Arbitration offers a private, faster and confidential dispute resolution mechanism suited to business needs.
The agreement also aims to enhance the attractiveness of both countries' economies by securing transactions and reducing the time needed to resolve disputes.
R.E.D.
Ecobank, Bank of China discuss yuan settlement system for Africa trade
While China has become Africa’s leading trade partner and investor, the dominance of the U.S. dollar continues to drive up transaction costs. To curb these expenses, pan-African banking group Ecobank, which operates in 33 markets, is negotiating with the Bank of China to establish a direct settlement system in yuan.
A move that could ease financial transactions for thousands of African businesses is underway. Pan-African lender Ecobank said it is in advanced talks with the Bank of China to set up a direct yuan settlement system by the end of 2026, eliminating the need to use the U.S. dollar as an intermediary in trade with China.
For traders in Lagos, Nairobi or Lomé sourcing goods from China, payments have so far been complex and costly. Paying a supplier in Guangzhou typically requires converting local currency into dollars, then into yuan. The two-step process increases banking fees and cuts into margins.
Ecobank aims to remove that constraint. “We are looking at opportunities for us to settle with, instead of going through the dollar, we do it directly with the Chinese yuan,” Chief Executive Jeremy Awori told Reuters. The move reflects current trade dynamics: China is Africa’s largest trading partner by a wide margin. Chinese exports to Africa rose 26% to $225 billion in 2025, contributing to a record $348 billion in total trade. Beijing has also expanded its financial footprint, with around $39 billion in new contracts signed in 2025, making it the largest bilateral investor by new flows.
Shift away from the dollar accelerates
Ecobank’s talks with the Bank of China are part of a broader shift across Africa to reduce reliance on the dollar. In November, South Africa’s Standard Bank took a similar step by joining China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS).
Across the continent, governments and financial institutions are seeking alternatives to a currency that has become costly and harder to access. Backed by the African Union, the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is already reducing conversion costs for intra-African trade. Some countries are moving further: Tanzania and Zambia have restricted the use of the dollar in domestic transactions, while the Democratic Republic of Congo plans to do the same next year.
The trend is also supported by the growing influence of the BRICS+ bloc, which Egypt and Ethiopia have joined and which is promoting a more multipolar financial system.
China is no longer the only player pursuing this strategy. A high-stakes contest is emerging with the United Arab Emirates for financial and logistical influence in Africa. Abu Dhabi is expanding its presence through investments in ports and energy infrastructure, alongside financial initiatives. The UAE has signed multiple currency swap agreements with countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria to facilitate transactions in dirhams and local currencies, reducing reliance on the U.S. dollar.
Fiacre E. Kakpo
Dapaong hospital receives new equipment to improve patient care
The regional hospital of Dapaong, in northern Togo’s Savanes region, has received medical equipment funded by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). The donation, valued at about 100 million CFA francs, was handed over last week.
The equipment package, including hospital beds and ultrasound machines, is intended to improve patient care and expand access to medical services in the Savanes region.
A renovated operating block valued at 55 million CFA francs was also handed over. The facility now includes a dedicated maternity unit, expected to improve the handling of obstetric emergencies.
“The inauguration of this new operating block is in line with government priorities,” Savanes regional governor Atcha-Dédji Affoh said. The block “will improve the management of obstetric emergencies, reduce surgical intervention times, limit medical evacuations and help cut maternal and infant mortality,” he added.
UNDP Togo resident representative Binta Sanneh said strengthening the local health system was a strategic investment in community resilience. “Health, human security and social cohesion are closely linked. By supporting the health system, we are helping to build trust among communities and reduce vulnerabilities that could fuel social tensions,” she said.
The support is part of a broader effort by U.N. agencies to support communities in northern Togo, notably through the Emergency Program for the Savanes Region (PURS).
Esaïe Edoh
Togo’s tax ratio remains below regional benchmark at 13.1% in 2025
Togo’s tax-to-GDP ratio is estimated at 13.1% in 2025, well below the 20% benchmark set by the regional bloc, as the country rolls out a medium-term budget framework covering 2027–2029.
The framework aims to strengthen public finance planning by projecting revenue, spending, deficits and debt over a three-year horizon.
“Unlike the annual budget, which sets allocations for a single fiscal year, the medium-term framework provides a strategic vision and ensures consistency over time between public policies and available financial resources,” said Akou Mawussé Afidenyigba, chief of staff at the Ministry of Finance and Budget, speaking on behalf of the minister.
“More concretely, it is a decision-support tool that allows authorities to simulate debt and deficit paths under different assumptions, determine levels of public investment compatible with fiscal sustainability, and identify the budget allocations needed to implement development priorities, particularly those outlined in the 2026–2031 strategy,” she added.
The country is projecting economic growth of 6.2% in 2025 and inflation of 0.4%, but fiscal space remains limited, largely due to debt servicing, which constrains public investment capacity.
In response, authorities have identified several measures to boost revenue. Broadening the tax base by tapping new sources without raising rates, alongside the digitalization of public administration, is expected to improve tax collection. At the same time, curbing spending — particularly wages, which account for around 7% of GDP — is seen as key to avoiding rigid budget structures.
Public investment stands at about 6.6% of GDP, equivalent to roughly 458 billion CFA francs. The challenge is to channel these resources into high-impact projects that support growth and employment.
Amid global tensions and declining external aid, Togo is seeking to preserve its macroeconomic credibility, which depends in part on improving tax collection, building on recent gains. Revenue has risen steadily in recent years, driven by the performance of the Office togolais des recettes (OTR).
Tax and customs revenues reached 990.1 billion CFA francs in 2023, up 14.5% year-on-year and above projections. The trend continued in 2024, with collections hitting 1.098 trillion CFA francs, surpassing the one-trillion mark for the first time.
The framework through 2029 is built around three priorities: security and stability, including stronger defense capacity and social safety nets; national cohesion, through decentralization and reduced inequality; and economic transformation, with targeted investment in infrastructure, agriculture, logistics and digital technology.
Authorities also plan to enforce strict project selection criteria, requiring investments included in the 2027–2029 program to be backed by solid technical studies and secured financing, according to the budget ministry.
R.E.D.
ECOWAS committees review agricultural programs, set 2026 priorities in Lomé
Regional steering committees overseeing projects and programs under the Economic Community of West African States’ agricultural policy, ECOWAP, began a four-day meeting in Lomé on Monday to assess activities for 2025. The session will also set strategic priorities for 2026.
Participants are reviewing progress, identifying obstacles and formulating recommendations to improve the effectiveness of government and partner-led efforts in the agricultural sector. Discussions also include the causes and impacts of crises in the Sahel, as countries seek to reduce dependence on extra-regional markets.
Around 20 projects and programs implemented across member states are under review. These initiatives cover agricultural production and productivity, livestock and fisheries development, value chains and regional markets, and efforts to improve the competitiveness of agri-food products. They also address resilience, food and nutrition security and sovereignty, as well as financing and sector governance.
Initial assessments show persistent challenges, notably security crises and economic shocks worsening food insecurity across the region, affecting nearly 40 million people. In response, the ECOWAS Commission said 2026 would see more coordinated regional action.
Togo is expected to highlight efforts to modernize its agricultural sector, including increased cereal production.
Esaïe Edoh
U.N. Steps Up Presence in Savanes Region Amid Security Pressures
The United Nations opened an office in the Savanes region of northern Togo on Friday, April 17, 2026, to address security tensions stemming from the Sahel. The ceremony was attended by Togolese government officials, including Security Minister Calixte Madjoulba, and U.N. representatives, including UNOWAS official Leonardo Simão.
According to officials, the office is part of the Emergency Program for the Savanes Region (PURS). The initiative aims to strengthen coordination among U.N. agencies and improve access to local communities. Priority sectors include security, health, education, water access and food security.
At the same time, a joint violence prevention project funded by the Peacebuilding Fund was launched. The project aims to support inclusive natural resource management, strengthen community security mechanisms and prevent local conflicts.
“This new office will allow us to be closer to the local communities we serve,” said Coumba Sow, UNDP representative in Togo.
R.E.D
Nagodé adds 60 buses to fleet, accelerates shift toward regional transport network
Togolese transport operator Nagodé Transfert has expanded its fleet by 60 buses, a move the company says will support its growth ambitions in Togo and across the region. The new vehicles were presented to the public at a ceremony in Lomé on Saturday, April 18.
“The customer base is growing in this country. The transport sector is also expanding,” Chief Executive Morou Yara said.
The new fleet, supplied by Chinese manufacturer Yutong, includes premium coaches, express minibuses and cargo vehicles. The company said it aims to improve the passenger experience and help formalize freight transport. “These coaches are not mere vehicles. They reflect a new approach to transport,” Yara said.
Regional expansion and new routes
Nagodé is also extending its international network. The company has already announced routes to Cotonou and Ouagadougou, while an express Lomé-Abidjan service is under study.
“We want to open other routes, including Lomé-Ouagadougou and Lomé-Cotonou,” Yara said.
The company said the strategy is intended to support regional integration and facilitate trade flows. Nagodé began as a money transfer business in Sokodé and has since diversified toward an integrated transport and logistics model.
Formalizing a market still dominated by the informal sector
Interurban transport companies such as Nagodé stand apart from an urban market still dominated by informal operators. In Lomé, motorcycle taxis known as zémidjans handle the bulk of daily trips and account for more than 60% of public transport supply. Shared-route urban taxis complement the network on longer routes, while three-wheelers are gaining ground, particularly in freight and short-distance transport.
Structured operators have so far struggled to establish themselves in this environment. The Société des Transports de Lomé (SOTRAL) accounts for only a limited share of trips because of an insufficient network and fleet. Digital mobility platforms such as Gozem remain marginal despite their growth, mainly in the capital. Two-wheelers account for more than 70% of the vehicle fleet. Against that backdrop, private initiatives such as Nagodé Transfert reflect a gradual effort to formalize the sector, driven by rising demand and growing urban and regional mobility needs.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi
In Lomé, telecom regulators weigh PPPs, financing models to close West Africa’s broadband gap
Round tables were held in Lomé two days ahead of the formal opening of the 23rd Annual General Assembly of the West African Telecommunications Regulators Association (ARTAO), scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
The sessions, hosted at Hôtel 2 Février, focused on strengthening public-private partnerships to finance broadband infrastructure and accelerate connectivity across Africa. ARCEP-Togo, the host regulator, was represented by its director general, Yaovi Galley.
Infrastructure deficit slows digital development
Broadband expansion in Africa remains constrained by limited financing for infrastructure. During a round table on models to accelerate deployment, panelists agreed that insufficient funding leads to infrastructure gaps, slowing digital development.
Only 29% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa has access to the internet, according to GSMA data (2023). Meanwhile, between 40% and 50% of rural areas lack reliable network coverage. This gap restricts access to information and limits the rollout of essential services such as e-education, telemedicine and digital financial services.
Deployment costs remain high. Laying fiber optic cable costs between $10,000 and $30,000 per kilometer, depending on terrain and population density. Additional investment is required for undersea cables, base stations and newer technologies such as 5G.
Persistent economic and geographic constraints
Operators face significant geographic disparities. Rural and remote areas, often commercially unattractive, offer uncertain returns, discouraging private investment.
Funding options include public financing through national budgets, targeted subsidies, sovereign funds and universal access funds to support non-commercial areas. The private sector contributes through direct investment, equity financing and infrastructure projects such as data centers, as well as through build-operate-transfer models and joint ventures.
Multilateral institutions — including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Agence française de développement and the International Finance Corporation — provide loans, guarantees and technical assistance.
New approaches are also emerging, including green telecoms, renewable energy solutions and community-based crowdfunding for high-impact projects.
Public-private partnerships seen as key lever
Participants identified a model combining public and private sector roles as the most effective. In this approach, the private sector drives investment, innovation and execution, while governments provide targeted support for non-viable areas, reduce investor risk and ensure a stable regulatory environment.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were highlighted as a key tool to share risks, lower costs and speed up deployment.
Participants also stressed the importance of infrastructure sharing and resource pooling, which can reduce costs and extend coverage, particularly in low-density areas.
Toward stronger regional coordination
At the regional level, participants called for closer coordination among West African states, particularly on undersea cable deployment and regulatory harmonization under bodies such as ARTAO.
The goal is to achieve universal connectivity by 2030 by mobilizing governments, private operators and development partners.
Participants recommended establishing harmonized, incentive-based regulatory frameworks, promoting financing models adapted to local conditions, expanding PPPs, strengthening training and research in telecommunications, and improving governance and transparency.
Regulators were seen as central to ensuring efficiency, inclusion and long-term sustainability.
S.A
Lomé Airport at 10: From Bold Bet to Regional Hub
Inaugurated on April 25, 2016, the new terminal at Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport (AIGE) marks its 10th anniversary this month. Driven by rising traffic, strong safety performance and expanding logistics ambitions, the airport has become a key economic asset for Togo, which is positioning connectivity at the core of its development strategy.
Growth Defying Forecasts
Ten years ago, the project appeared ambitious for a country of just 56,600 square kilometers. Backed by a $150 million investment, Togo built a 21,000-square-meter terminal, tripling capacity to 2 million passengers a year.
Since then, traffic has exceeded expectations. Lomé has shifted from being a stopover to a regional transit hub. Passenger numbers rose from 616,000 in 2014 to more than 1.5 million in 2024, a year ahead of projections. In 2025, traffic reached 1,584,188 passengers, with nearly 30% in transit, according to estimates.
This growth is having a significant economic impact. The African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC) estimates aviation contributes between $500 million and $600 million to Togo’s GDP, or around 5-6%, and supports between 35,000 and 45,000 jobs across airlines, airport services, logistics and related sectors such as tourism and retail.
Further gains could come from the full implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM). The initiative, championed by President Faure Gnassingbé, could generate between $1 billion and $1.5 billion in additional economic activity over five years through increased trade, tourism and logistics flows.
Strong Performance on Safety and regional connectivity
Beyond traffic growth, Lomé has stood out for its safety standards. In 2025, Togo achieved a compliance rate above 90% in an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) audit, confirming alignment with international benchmarks.
The airport is also advancing its environmental strategy. In May 2024, it obtained Level 2 “Reduction” certification under the Airport Carbon Accreditation (ACA) program, reflecting efforts to manage emissions.
Much of the airport’s growth is driven by ASKY Airlines, which operates its hub in Lomé in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines. Together with other carriers, they serve more than 40 destinations, including nearly 30 operated directly by ASKY across 26 African countries.
With over 300 weekly flights, Lomé connects the region to global routes, including direct services to Washington and New York, attracting transit passengers from across West Africa.
ASKY operates a fleet of around 15 aircraft and has proved profitable since 2015, five years after its launch—an uncommon result in a sector where many regional carriers report losses. Its hub-and-spoke model positions Lomé as a key transit point, channeling passengers to major African cities. Supported by Ethiopian Airlines’ expertise, the model has strengthened ASKY’s position as one of West Africa’s more stable carriers.
Capacity Pressures Emerging
Rapid growth is now putting pressure on infrastructure. With capacity utilization approaching 80%, congestion is emerging at peak hours, while competition from Accra and Abidjan is intensifying.
To address this, authorities are optimizing existing infrastructure, including building a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel to improve transit passenger flows. Plans for a third airport at Gbatopé, still under study, reflect longer-term expansion ambitions.
Operational challenges remain. Passenger experience needs improvement, with queues at departures and arrivals during peak periods. Technologies such as biometric systems and facial recognition, intended to support contactless travel, are not yet widely visible in practice.
Strengthening the hub will also require diversifying routes. Attracting long-haul carriers is seen as key to boosting intercontinental connectivity and reducing reliance on regional traffic.
“In the long run, consolidating Lomé as a pan-African hub would depend on rapid network expansion. Full liberalization of African air transport would allow operators like ASKY to extend coverage significantly, potentially beyond 50 destinations,” said a consultant and former ASECNA official. “This would also support regional tourism circuits and reinforce Togo’s role as a gateway to Sahel countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.”
A New Phase Under New Leadership
As the airport enters its second decade, Société aéroportuaire de Lomé-Tokoin (SALT) has reappointed former minister Kanka-Malik Natchaba as director general.
He takes charge at a time when the focus is shifting from infrastructure investment to operational and commercial performance. “The challenge is no longer just to build, but to generate returns, optimize operations and improve the user experience,” the expert said.
SALT will need to consolidate recent gains while strengthening Lomé’s position against competing regional hubs, as air traffic continues to recover and evolve.
Together with the Port of Lomé and the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA), the airport forms a logistics corridor that lowers transport costs for landlocked countries and supports growing regional demand.
Ten years after its inauguration, the airport has shown that scale is not a constraint to ambition. The initial investment has paid off. Whether Lomé can sustain its trajectory—and meet its ambition of becoming the “Singapore of West Africa”—will depend on its ability to improve efficiency, expand connectivity and enhance competitiveness.
Fiacre E. Kakpo