Authorities in Togo are doubling down on participatory governance. On July 29-31, more than 100 municipal leaders, technicians, civil society members, and academics are gathered in Lomé for a major workshop focused on local democracy and accountability.

The event is organized under the Decentralisation and Governance Programme (ProDeG IV), with technical support from GIZ and funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ). The workshop aims to boost the capacity of municipalities to engage citizens in public decision-making.

Discussions at the workshop include how to promote citizen participation, strengthen civic oversight of government through Citizen Offices and collaboration charters, and integrate anti-corruption education into university programs.

Participants are also sharing real-life examples at a dedicated fair, encouraging peer learning and experience-sharing between municipalities.

"This initiative equips local elected officials and their teams with practical tools to build sustainable participatory governance," said Eliane Tete, Technical Advisor at ProDeG. This is essential at a time when citizens expect more from their local governments, while trust in institutions remains fragile.

The workshop takes place as Togo continues to deepen its decentralisation process, especially following the municipal elections held on July 17, 2025.

China's new ambassador to Togo, Wang Min, officially began her duties on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, after presenting her letter of credence to President Jean-Lucien Kwassi Lanyo Savi de Tové in Lomé. This accreditation marks the official start of her diplomatic mission, aimed at strengthening China-Togo cooperation.

"At the FOCAC Summit in Beijing last September, President Xi Jinping and President Faure Gnassingbé elevated cooperation to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership. Both parties are working to implement the outcomes of that summit. As the new ambassador of China to Togo, I will work tirelessly to advance this partnership and write new chapters of the China-Africa community with a shared future," she stated.

Wang Min is expected to prioritize several areas. These include financing and monitoring bilateral projects, promoting Chinese investments in Togo, and strengthening cultural and educational exchanges. The latter specifically includes awarding scholarships to Togolese students.

During the latest Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, China and Togo reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening their partnership in key sectors. These sectors include infrastructure, health, agriculture, education, and renewable energy.

Esaïe Edoh

The Sahelo-Saharan Bank for Industry and Commerce (BSIC-Togo) closed the first half of 2025 with total assets of CFA331 billion, according to recent figures from its top management. This marks a sharp rise from CFA207 billion in 2022, confirming the bank’s steady growth.

This performance propelled BSIC-Togo to 6th place among Togo’s 15 commercial banks, up from 8th place a year earlier.

BSIC now holds a 6.7% market share, said Managing Director Tjima Diabate. She credited the bank’s rise to its digital transformation strategy. “To tailor our offerings to customer needs, BSIC Togo has set up a digital platform to enable its customers to carry out transactions remotely and in real time,” Diabate told ATOP. She said the momentum is strong and sustainable.

BSIC invested heavily in digital services during the period to serve a broad customer base, including individuals, SMEs, and large businesses. By the end of 2024, customer resources reached CFA161 billion, while deposits totaled 115 billion, translating to market shares of 5.1% and 4.9%, respectively.

BSIC’s net banking income climbed from CFA4.7 billion in 2020 to 6.5 billion in 2022, according to data from the BCEAO. This rise reflects a successful rebound after the bank posted losses in 2020.

BSIC’s next goal is to break into the top five commercial banks in Togo. To get there, the Libyan-owned group plans to fine-tune its performance indicators and continue expanding its customer base, especially as Togo’s banking landscape grows increasingly competitive.

BSIC faces stiff competition from sector leaders like Ecobank Togo, which reported nearly CFA700 billion in assets by June 2025, up 6%, and deposits of 525.3 billion. Orabank Togo, another heavyweight, ended 2024 with CFA851 billion in assets.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s National Institute of Agricultural Education of Tové, or INFA, plans to expand its academic programs by introducing online courses. INFA Director General Bitang Bamazi recently announced this initiative, saying it is part of the school's repositioning strategy.

This move aims to broaden the school's reach beyond its traditional limits and increase its international visibility. “INFA Tové needs to reach a global audience by putting its services online, letting anyone interested benefit from them no matter where they are,” Bamazi stated.

In addition to digitalization, INFA plans to develop training programs specifically for agricultural professionals. The goal is to align curricula with field needs and sector developments.

As part of this effort, INFA Tové intends to offer a three-year program structured into three cycles, accessible to students who have completed their BEPC, or Brevet d'Études du Premier Cycle. These programs will cover various fields including crop production, livestock, and general agriculture. Graduates will earn a vocational diploma, or Brevet Professionnel.

This new direction is part of the institute's reorganization, which aligns with current national agricultural policy. A key objective is to train qualified technicians who can pursue further specialized higher education.

Esaïe Edoh

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye met with Togolese Council President Faure Gnassingbé in Lomé on Friday, July 25. Their private discussion addressed various bilateral and sub-regional issues, including peace and security, the economy, youth, regional integration, and culture, all areas of long-standing ties between Togo and Senegal.

While specific details of the discussions were not disclosed, it appeared both countries share concerns about the spread of violent extremism in the sub region, particularly in the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea. Although Togo and Senegal do not share a border, Lomé and Dakar collaborate through ECOWAS and the African Union to foster coordinated approaches to security challenges.

On cultural and educational matters, youth remain a key factor in strengthening ties. Senegal's universities, particularly those in Dakar, Saint Louis, and Ziguinchor, host many Togolese students each year. Officials noted that these academic exchanges promote skill transfer and intercultural exchange.

Through this meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation and building a common future dedicated to peace, stability, and sustainable development in West Africa.

Esaïe Edoh

Belife Insurance, a new brand backed by the Brown family, has officially taken over operations from Prudential Beneficial in Togo's life insurance sector. This follows a full acquisition of assets from the Prudential Plc and Beneficial Group joint venture, finalized earlier this month.

The acquisition gives Belife Insurance control of Prudential’s Togolese subsidiary, which serves over 52,000 clients. It operates 11 branches, including eight in Lomé, and manages a network of more than 600 sales agents. This transition comes as Prudential Plc restructures its operations in Francophone Africa and refocuses on markets such as Anglophone Africa, including Uganda, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.

“This change is not a simple transition. It is the beginning of a new dynamic, driven by our passion for Africa, and by a clear vision: to become a leader in insurance in Africa, more agile and closer to its employees and customers,” Eddie Brown, chairman and CEO of Belife Insurance, said in a statement.

Belife, also present in Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire, aims to build on over 50 years of experience. It promotes an inclusive, digital, and customer-centric approach. In Togo, its growth strategy focuses on mobile channels, accessible products, and broader national coverage.

In 2022, Prudential Beneficial Assurances, formed from the 2019 merger of Prudential and Beneficial Insurance, reported revenue of 5 billion CFA francs. It had an estimated market share of 14% in Togo. At the time, the company ranked fourth in the sector, behind GTA Assurances, Sunu, and NSIA.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Faye continues sub-regional tour with focus on trade cooperation and ECOWAS mediation.

Highlights:

• Discussions to center on trade ties and ECOWAS reintegration efforts
• Visit follows stops in Côte d’Ivoire and Benin; Liberia next

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye is expected in Lomé on Friday, July 25, for a working visit aimed at strengthening bilateral and regional ties. The announcement was made by Senegalese government spokesman Amadou Moustapha Sarré at the close of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting in Dakar.

According to Sarré, the visit comes at the invitation of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé. "As part of his diplomatic agenda, the Head of State has informed the Council that he will conduct a working visit to Togo on July 25, at the invitation of the President of that country's Council of Ministers, Faure Gnassingbé," the spokesman said.

The visit is part of a broader West African tour that has already taken Faye to Côte d’Ivoire and Benin. Talks in Lomé are expected to focus on economic cooperation, especially trade.

Diplomatically, the meeting could also address the reintegration of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following their suspension in recent years. Both Faye and Gnassingbé have positioned themselves as key mediators in the region.

After Lomé, President Faye will head to Monrovia to attend Liberia’s national day celebrations on Saturday, July 26.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho