• Togo ranks 117th out of 139 economies in the 2025 Global Innovation Index (GII).
• The nation secured the 2nd position among low-income countries.
• Market sophistication and institutions are Togo's strongest pillars.

Togo placed 117th out of 139 economies in the 2025 edition of the Global Innovation Index (GII), published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The country ranked second among low-income nations, trailing Rwanda (104th) but surpassing Madagascar (120th) and Uganda (124th).

WIPO annually publishes the GII in collaboration with INSEAD and Cornell University. The index assesses countries' capacity to generate and leverage innovation, utilizing 80 indicators across seven pillars. Three pillars measure "inputs"—institutions, human capital and research, and infrastructure—which represent conditions conducive to innovation. The remaining four pillars evaluate "outputs," or concrete results: market sophistication, business sophistication, knowledge and technology outputs, and creative outputs.

The report indicates Togo's strongest performances in market sophistication and institutions, where it secured the 106th position. This ranking reflects a stable business environment and increasing access to credit for startups. Conversely, research, infrastructure, and business sophistication remain weaknesses, with respective rankings of 107th, 129th, and 136th.

Togo "superperforms" in knowledge and creativity outputs, achieving a 105th global rank. Within Africa, Togo ranks 19th out of 36 countries, behind Cameroon (116th globally) and ahead of Benin (118th). Mauritius, Morocco, and South Africa lead the continent's innovation rankings.

• The share of Togo’s external debt rose from 28.3% before the pandemic to 41.1% between 2020 and 2024, according to the IMF.
• Concessional loans from the IMF and World Bank now represent over a quarter of public debt, up from less than one-fifth in 2018.
• Togo secured over $850 million in new external loans in 2024, half under concessional terms, while maintaining a “strong” debt-carrying capacity and a “moderate” risk of debt distress.

Togo’s public debt profile is evolving toward greater international diversification, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in its latest review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF). The share of external debt in the country’s total debt stock increased to 41.1% between 2020 and 2024, compared with 28.3% before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IMF viewed this evolution as a rebalancing of the debt portfolio, reflecting both a diversification of creditors and stronger participation from multilateral partners.

Concessional borrowing from the IMF and the World Bank now accounts for more than one-quarter of Togo’s public debt, compared with less than one-fifth in 2018. Over the same period, Lomé has reduced its reliance on non–Paris Club creditors—an informal group of public lenders that coordinates debt relief for distressed countries—in favor of structured bilateral and commercial borrowing.

This strategic shift has helped stabilize debt servicing costs and extend average maturities, the IMF said.

In 2024, the Togolese government signed over $850 million in new external loans, about half on concessional terms. Officials said the diversification of borrowing sources, particularly toward low-interest financing, aims to reduce the interest burden and limit exposure to regional financial markets.

Despite a short-term commercial loan equivalent to 1.7% of GDP, the IMF rated Togo’s debt-carrying capacity as “strong,” maintaining the country’s overall risk of debt distress at a “moderate” level.

This article was initially published in French by R.E.D

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

Togo’s financial partners provided $745.44 million in 2023 to support government development projects, a meeting in Lomé to review the 2023 Development Cooperation Report revealed last week. 

The funds were used to implement various socioeconomic initiatives under the Togo 2025 Roadmap.

 According to official data, Official Development Assistance (ODA) comprised $421.72 million in grants (56.6%) and $323.72 million in loans (43.4%).

Total funding in 2023 rose 51.2%, or $252.48 million, compared with 2022. Over 2018–2022, cumulative financing from Togo’s partners reached about $3 billion.

Bèguèdouwè Paneto, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Development Planning and Cooperation, said the strong fundraising in 2023 was the result of the government’s ambitious reforms, particularly those aimed at improving citizens’ living conditions.

He added that the results were made possible by tighter project monitoring and coordination with development partners through regular portfolio reviews.

The Ministry of Planning said the report’s approval reflects the principle of mutual accountability between the government and its technical and financial partners.

Esaïe Edoh

• Togo will conduct a national survey on primary education quality from Oct. 13 to Nov. 7, 2025, coordinated by the National Center for Learning Assessment (CNEA).
• The survey will cover 39 indicators to assess educational outcomes and system performance across the country.
• The initiative forms part of the Basic Education Quality and Equity Improvement Project (PAQEEB) and aligns with the government’s 2020–2030 education sector plan.

Togo will carry out a nationwide survey on primary school education quality from Oct. 13 to Nov. 7, 2025. Investigators began a nine-day preparatory training in Lomé on Sept. 29.

The operation, coordinated by the National Center for Learning Assessment (CNEA) under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will run in two phases: Oct. 13–24 and Nov. 3–7. It will evaluate 39 indicators to provide a comprehensive view of the primary education system’s performance.

Officials said the data will measure student learning outcomes and identify areas for improving teaching quality. The survey aligns with the 2020–2030 Sector Education Plan and the 2020–2025 government roadmap.

The initiative is part of the Basic Education Quality and Equity Improvement Project (PAQEEB). “This survey demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening the national education system,” said Barakpété Ahia, secretary-general of the ministry.

This article was initially published in French by Esaïe Edoh

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Togo is establishing its first Marine Protected Area (MPA), covering 950 km².
• The MPA aims to protect rich but vulnerable biodiversity and support local fisheries.
• The project, 10 years in the making, now enters an active phase with support from international partners.

Togo is advancing plans for its first marine protected area (MPA), a project in preparation for a decade. The Ministry of Maritime Economy hosted awareness meetings on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Agbodrafo and Aného, engaging fishers, fish traders, NGOs, local authorities, and technical partners to launch an active implementation phase.

The MPA will span approximately 950 km² across the Lacs, Vo, and Zio prefectures. Positioned between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Togo, the area hosts rich but vulnerable biodiversity threatened by overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Authorities aim to conserve mangroves, protect fish stocks, and strengthen local community resilience, while creating opportunities for tourism and research.

Officials said the MPA will serve as a maritime resource reservoir, sustaining artisanal and industrial fisheries—key drivers of coastal employment and income. “The creation of the MPA is not a restriction, but a regulation to ensure resource sustainability,” the ministry emphasized.

The project aligns with Togo’s revised national biodiversity strategy and international conservation commitments. It receives support from multiple partners, including the World Bank via the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) resilience program, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), WAEMU, IUCN, and FAO.

This article was initially published in French by Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

• Tilitu Lab, an incubator in Kara, Togo, conducted a tax training session for young entrepreneurs on September 30, 2025.
• The training, led by an inspector from the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), covered tax regimes and compliance for businesses.
• The initiative is part of Tilitu Lab's 2025 incubation program, aiming to help startups build viable businesses and avoid penalties.

Tilitu Lab in Kara organized a training session on Sept. 30, 2025, to equip young entrepreneurs with knowledge of Togo’s tax regimes and legal business obligations, according to ATOP.

Attila Kowami, tax inspector at the Togolese Revenue Office (OTR), led the session. He explained that businesses with annual turnover of CFA0–3 million fall under the flat-rate tax regime, while those with CFA3–6 million adopt the declarative regime, taxed at 8% compared to 2% for flat-rate firms. Very small enterprises receive exemptions during their first two fiscal years. Kowami emphasized the importance of fiscal registration and timely payments.

The training forms part of Tilitu Lab’s 2025 incubation program, which annually supports young innovators. Program leaders highlighted that understanding fiscal mechanisms is essential for building sustainable businesses and avoiding penalties for noncompliance.

“Collaboration with the OTR is a condition of growth for startups,” said Georges Egbaré, coordinator of Tilitu Lab Kara.

Tilitu Lab operates under the Ministry of Grassroots Development and the Youth Economic Initiatives Support Fund (FAIEJ). It is one of five public incubators established by the government to promote entrepreneurship across Togo.

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Togo’s public debt-to-GDP ratio fell to 65% by the end of June 2025, down from 69% at the close of 2024, according to figures presented at the third session of the National Credit Council (CNC), chaired by Economy and Finance Minister Essowè Georges Barcola. The level remains below the 70% ceiling set by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU).

Economic Resilience

 Minister Barcola said Togo’s economic indicators remain robust. Growth for 2025 is projected at around 6.3%, driven by all sectors, with services making a notable contribution.

The financial sector also showed strength in the first half, with bank credit up 22%. The cost of credit continued to decline as banks cleaned up their portfolios. The CNC, however, urged financial institutions to improve customer service and complaint handling.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) remain a weak spot, with the council warning of continued deterioration in their portfolios.

Debt and IMF Reclassification

 In nominal terms, Togo’s outstanding public debt stood at 4,288 billion CFA francs at the end of March 2025, up slightly from 4,217 billion at the end of 2024, before falling again in the second quarter. The increase was attributed to financing for infrastructure projects and social programs, though strong economic momentum eased the burden relative to GDP, according to the supervisory authority.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed Togo’s reclassification among countries with a “strong debt-carrying capacity,” citing contained inflation and an improved World Bank CPIA score.

Authorities said they plan to maintain the favorable trajectory by strengthening debt management, prioritizing investment, and improving oversight of microfinance institutions.

R.E.D