AGP Executive Report

Skills and Jobs: Togo has authorized the University of Datcha to open in 2026–27 with 12 programs spanning agriculture, biomedical sciences and territorial governance. A proposed certification agency would also strengthen employers’ confidence in vocational qualifications. Financial Integrity: CENTIF-Togo is assessing money-laundering risks tied to maritime crime, including smuggling and illegal fishing, while aiming to protect legitimate port activity. Lomé handled 30.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2024. Public Finance: The draft 2027 budget totals CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 plan, with CFAF 490 billion earmarked for roadmap investments. Industrial Investment: A proposed free-zone reform would encourage industry beyond Lomé, link firms more closely to local suppliers and make tax incentives conditional. Business Climate: Major companies are pressing for fairer tax collection and reforms to boost competitiveness and productive investment. Banking: Coris Bank Togo named Michel Kodzo Gafan CEO; the lender reported 10% asset growth and a 23.1% rise in net profit in 2025.

Public Finance: Togo’s proposed 2027 budget totals CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 plan. It sets aside CFAF 490 billion for the government’s 2026–2031 roadmap, including security, social services and economic transformation. The draft still needs legislative approval. Industrial Investment: The government has approved a draft reform of special economic zones, aiming to attract factories beyond Greater Lomé and strengthen local sourcing, training and skilled job creation. Of 141 companies approved under the existing system, 91 remain active, employing nearly 19,000 people. Banking: Coris Bank International Togo has named Michel Kodzo Gafan CEO. The bank reported assets of CFAF 615.5 billion at the end of 2025, up 10% year on year. Business Climate: Major companies are urging tax reforms and more productive investment, while the government says broadening the tax base should mean fairer collection—not higher bills for existing taxpayers.

Business Climate: Togo’s major companies called for tax reforms, fairer collection and more productive investment at a Lomé forum, arguing that stronger local firms can compete internationally. Airport & Trade: The government is handing duty-free operations at Lomé airport to Lagardère Travel Retail after persistent service failures, fuelling debate over private management and national control. Agriculture: Togo and Burkina Faso agreed on livestock checks to curb theft and ease cross-border trade, while Lomé’s agriculture fair brought producers and investors together to explore climate-resilient farming and new markets. Standards & Energy: Togo is preparing to distribute 46 food standards to businesses to improve quality and market access. Solar installers also received technical training as their industry association plans a quality label; meanwhile, CEET says power disruptions linked to gas-pipeline maintenance should ease before month-end. Regional Finance: The BRVM is calling for more aligned rules across African exchanges to boost cross-border investment. China Ties: Togo signed 13 agreements with China covering trade, technology and debt relief.

Business Reform: Major Togolese companies urged tax reforms, more productive investment and improved access to energy and financing at a Lomé business forum. Airport Commerce: Togo has handed airport duty-free management to Lagardère Travel Retail amid debate over how to improve operations while retaining national control. Agribusiness: The Lomé agriculture fair is bringing farmers, processors and investors together to explore climate-resilient production, financing and new markets; Togo and Burkina Faso also agreed on tighter livestock-trade checks. Power & Renewables: CEET expects electricity supply to normalize by late October as gas-pipeline maintenance ends. Solar industry group SAER-Togo is training installers and developing a quality label for the sector. Trade & Investment: Togo and China signed 13 agreements covering trade, technology and debt relief, while bunker supplier FLEX Commodities has begun fuel deliveries at Lomé port.

Power Supply: CEET says outages tied to gas-pipeline maintenance should ease by late October, with alternative fuels helping limit interruptions. Digital Economy: Togo showcased Novissi, AI and coding training, local-language AI resources and a connectivity project at the Seoul summit, while schools are adding coding and robotics activities. Port Services: FLEX Commodities has launched bunker-fuel deliveries at Lomé, targeting ships along the Lomé–Abidjan corridor. Agriculture & Trade: Cereal output is forecast to rise 4.3% to nearly 1.96 million tonnes in 2026–27, though low maize prices are squeezing farmers’ earnings; Togo has also signed a soybean export protocol with China. Investment: Togoville is seeking proposals to develop a Lake Togo waterfront site for tourism and commercial activities, with local jobs and products among the priorities. Clean Energy: A Luxembourg-backed solar technology firm says its equipment at a Togo industrial site cut water use and financial losses tenfold.

Power Supply: Lomé’s outages are linked to gas-pipeline maintenance, with electricity expected to return to normal by late October. CEET says running plants on liquid fuels has limited disruption but costs more and is less efficient. Maritime Trade: FLEX Commodities has launched bunker-fuel deliveries at Lomé, using an approved barge to serve ships at anchorage and positioning the port as a supply hub along the Lomé–Abidjan corridor. Digital Economy: Togo is presenting initiatives at the Seoul AI summit, including digital skills training, local-language AI resources and a project to expand internet access to schools, clinics and government offices. Agriculture: Cereal output is forecast to rise 4.3% to nearly 1.96 million tonnes in 2026–27, though falling maize prices may squeeze farmers’ earnings. Investment: Vo 2 municipality is seeking investors for a tourism, leisure and commercial development on Lake Togo’s waterfront in Togoville, with proposals due December 11. Infrastructure: A new Huawei agreement targets modernization of energy, transport and customs systems, with technology transfer and local expertise development.

Maritime Trade: FLEX Commodities has begun supplying marine fuel at Lomé using a new barge, positioning the port to serve ships along the Lomé–Abidjan corridor. Investment Opportunities: Vo 2 municipality is seeking investors to develop a 2,428-square-metre Lake Togo waterfront site for tourism, leisure and commercial businesses, with proposals due December 11. Digital Economy: Togo will present four initiatives at the Global AI and Digital Summit in Seoul, including digital cash transfers, skills training, local-language AI resources and expanded internet access. Agriculture: Cereal output is forecast to rise 4.3% to nearly 1.96 million tonnes in 2026–27, though low maize prices are squeezing farmers’ earnings. China Partnership: Togo and China signed 13 cooperation agreements spanning trade, technology and digital transformation; Beijing also agreed to cancel part of Togo’s public debt. Investment Climate: ECOWAS reports that Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million, while regional investors continue to face infrastructure gaps and foreign-exchange volatility.

Agriculture: Togo’s cereal harvest is forecast to rise 4.3% to nearly 1.96 million tonnes in 2026–27, but low maize prices are squeezing farmers’ earnings, while insecurity limits access to fields and markets in Kpendjal. Trade and Diplomacy: Faure Gnassingbé is set to attend the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, where Togo and Russia may advance talks on trade, energy and a transport corridor to West Africa. China Partnership: Togo and China signed 13 cooperation agreements covering trade, technology and industrialisation, with China also agreeing to cancel part of Togo’s public debt. A new Huawei deal targets digital upgrades in energy, transport and customs. Investment: ECOWAS reports Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million, as member states work to improve investor services. Farm Support: Training in Kara aims to expand access to improved seeds for farmers facing drought, irregular rainfall and floods.

Trade and Payments: Togo-based Ecobank is linking up with China’s CIPS payment system to expand yuan settlement for African businesses, as China’s zero-tariff access for African exports boosts interest in trade. Digital Infrastructure: Togo signed an agreement with Huawei to develop digital solutions for energy, transport and customs, with technology transfer and local skills development among its goals. China Ties: A package of 13 agreements includes a protocol to ease Togolese soybean exports to China and a pledge to cancel an unspecified portion of Togo’s debt. Togo owed China about $331 million at the end of 2024. Investment: ECOWAS reports Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million, while the region continues to face infrastructure gaps and currency volatility. Agriculture: A training workshop in Kara is helping seed producers improve supplies of climate-adapted varieties for farmers in the drought- and flood-hit north.

Digital Infrastructure: Togo has signed a Huawei agreement to modernise energy, transport and customs systems, with technology transfer and local skills development included. China Trade and Finance: A broader package of 13 agreements includes a protocol to open China’s market to Togolese soybeans and a customs cooperation deal; Beijing also agreed to cancel an unspecified share of Togo’s debt. Investment: ECOWAS reports that Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million, while regional investors still face infrastructure gaps and foreign-exchange volatility. Climate Resilience: Togo has accepted 26 coastal protection structures built under a $33.48 billion CFA franc project; remaining work is due by June 2027. Agriculture: Training in Kara is intended to expand access to improved, climate-adapted seeds for farmers in the north, where drought, irregular rain and flooding threaten yields.

Investment: ECOWAS’s 2025 regional report says Togo approved 47 projects valued at about $619 million, while flagging foreign-exchange volatility and infrastructure and logistics gaps as regional challenges. China ties: Togo and China signed 13 agreements on trade, technology and customs during Faure Gnassingbé’s Beijing visit. Beijing also agreed to cancel an unspecified portion of Togo’s debt; the country owed China about $331 million at the end of 2024. Exports and skills: A new phytosanitary protocol aims to ease Togolese soybean exports to China, and Chinese organisations pledged free robotics and 6G training for top Togolese students. Details of the training have yet to be announced.

Regional Cooperation: Togo joined five other Volta Basin countries in resuming ministerial talks after a seven-year pause. The authority faces funding shortfalls and delayed member contributions that have disrupted operations, as ministers review plans for shared water management. China Trade and Investment: Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé’s visit, covering trade, customs, technology and cooperation. A soybean export protocol sets requirements for access to China, but increased sales are not guaranteed: Togo exported about 293 tonnes there in 2023, while production exceeded 260,000 tonnes in 2024–25. The two countries also agreed to write off an unspecified part of Togo’s debt; China’s loans to Togo totalled about $331 million at the end of 2024. Skills and Technology: Chinese organisations have pledged free robotics and 6G training for top Togolese students, though places and selection details are yet to be announced.

China Trade and Investment: Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to Beijing, covering trade, customs, technology and cooperation on agriculture and industry. A new phytosanitary protocol could ease Togolese soybean exports to China, though access to the market does not guarantee higher sales, and Togo is also seeking to expand domestic processing. Debt Relief: Beijing agreed to cancel an unspecified portion of Togo’s public debt. Togo owed China about $331 million at the end of 2024, roughly 5% of its total public debt. Technology Skills: Chinese robotics and 6G organizations pledged free training for top Togolese students; selection details and the number of places are still pending. Regional Cooperation: Ministers from the six Volta Basin countries resumed talks after seven years, with shared water management on the agenda. The authority faces financial strain, including delayed member contributions and staff departures.

China Partnership: Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to Beijing, covering trade, technology, customs and development. China also agreed to cancel part of Togo’s public debt, though the amount was not disclosed; its debt stood at about $331 million at the end of 2024. Soybean Exports: A new phytosanitary protocol aims to ease Togolese soybean access to China, the world’s biggest importer. Togo produced over 260,000 tonnes in the 2024–25 season, but must balance export growth with its policy of encouraging local processing. Tech Skills: Chinese robotics and telecom organizations have pledged free training for top Togolese students in robotics and 6G. Selection and course details are still pending. Regional Power Trade: The West African Power Pool plans to launch the second phase of its regional electricity market early next year, following discussions at its board meeting in Lomé. The initiative aims to expand cross-border power trading and strengthen supply.

China Trade: Togo and China signed a plant-health protocol clearing the way for Togolese soybean exports, while Beijing pledged to import more quality goods and expand cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and finance. Skills and Technology: Chinese robotics and 6G organizations have offered free training to top Togolese students, though selection and course details are still pending. Regional Power: The West African Power Pool says the second phase of its electricity market is due to launch early next year, aiming to boost cross-border trade and supply; its board met in Lomé. Land Administration: Togo named notary Méméssilé Gnazo to lead the National Land and Property Agency, tasked with improving land records, titles and property rights. Women’s Economic Inclusion: A new complaints system for the $62.5 million SWEDD+ project will let beneficiaries report problems and seek information through local committees and digital channels.

China Partnership: Togo and China signed a plant-health protocol to facilitate Togolese soybean exports, while Beijing pledged free robotics and 6G training for top students. The countries also pledged deeper cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and finance, creating opportunities whose details are still to come. Regional Trade: Togo is working with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger on common customs rules and linked systems to ease transit and curb fraud—important for Lomé’s role as a gateway to the Sahel. India’s probe of soybean imports labelled as Niger-origin is also disrupting regional shipments, underscoring the need for reliable proof of origin. Power Market: The West African Power Pool expects to launch the second phase of its regional electricity market early next year, aiming to expand cross-border trade and strengthen supply. Land Administration: Togo has named the first head of its national land agency, tasked with building a central registry and improving property rights—steps that could make land transactions more secure for businesses.