Togo joins Africa’s mid-tier AI adopters with 10.1% usage rate

ITC

Monday, 25 May 2026 12:12

Togo joins Africa’s mid-tier AI adopters with 10.1% usage rate

(Togo First) - About 10.1% of Togo's population aged 15 to 64 used a generative artificial intelligence tool in the first quarter of 2026, according to the “Global AI Diffusion Q1 2026 Trends and Insights” report published by Microsoft. The figure was 9.3% in the second half of 2025 and 8.7% in the first half of the same year.

The report tracks the use of tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and Copilot using aggregated and anonymized telemetry data adjusted for internet penetration, connected devices and national populations.

In Togo, adoption is rising amid growing digital activity, helped by wider smartphone use, expanding mobile internet access and increasing interest among young people in tools for writing assistance, programming and content creation.

Togo nonetheless remains in the middle tier among African countries in terms of generative AI adoption. At 10.1%, it stands alongside Benin, Ghana, Nigeria, Mali and Niger.

South Africa ranked first on the continent with a usage rate of 23.1%, ahead of Namibia at 15.1%, followed by Gabon and Libya, both at 15%. Globally, the United Arab Emirates remained the largest generative AI market with an adoption rate of 70.1%, ahead of Singapore at 63.4% and Norway at 48.6%.

Microsoft also highlighted a widening gap between developed economies and countries in the Global South. Average generative AI usage reached 27.5% in developed countries, compared with 15.4% in the Global South.

Limited electricity access, weak internet connectivity and shortages in digital skills continue to slow adoption across several African economies.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.