AGP Executive Report

China-Togo Ties: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, infrastructure, digital technology and industry, upgrading relations to a “community with a shared future.” The challenge now is turning closer ties into investment, jobs and local expertise. Regional Trade: Togo and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are working to align customs rules and link information systems, aiming to curb fraud and improve transit through Lomé, a key gateway for the landlocked Sahel. Digital Togo: A national project is collecting Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba recordings and text to build AI tools for public services. Separately, 30 creators trained at the University of Lomé in fact-checking, cybersecurity and responsible AI use. Cost of Living: Consumer prices dipped 0.1% in September as food costs fell, but higher fuel and transport costs remain a pressure; prices were still 2.4% above a year earlier. ECOWAS Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama joins the new college of judges as Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine becomes court president and Benin’s Désiré Aihou vice-president.

Digital Togo: A new drive is gathering recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba to train AI tools for public services, while Togo AI Lab is steering young people toward data and AI careers. Prices: Consumer prices dipped 0.1% in September as food costs fell, but higher fuel, transport and housing costs kept pressure on households; prices were still 2.4% above a year earlier. China Ties: Faure Gnassingbé’s Beijing visit lifted relations to a “shared future” partnership. Ecobank also signed a deal to ease yuan payments between African businesses and China, as Togo seeks investment, jobs and industrial growth. Regional Cooperation: Ministers from seven West African countries adopted plans in Lomé to improve animal-disease surveillance and coordinate responses through 2031. Justice: Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine was elected president of the ECOWAS Court, pledging judicial independence and timely justice.

China Ties: Togo and China elevated relations to a “community with a shared future” during Faure Gnassingbé’s Beijing visit. Xi Jinping pointed to zero-tariff access and cooperation in industry, energy and digital technology. Trade and Finance: Lomé-based Ecobank signed a deal with China’s CIPS to make yuan payments between African and Chinese businesses easier, with Togo’s finance minister present. The bank operates in 34 African markets. Lomé Port: Gnassingbé said the goal is not simply more cargo traffic, but more local value from processing, production and jobs linked to the port. Togo also backed Xiamen’s bid to host the secretariat for a UN high-seas biodiversity agreement. Development Funding: A Togolese delegation is at IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok, seeking support amid tight public finances. Urban Works: Togo has begun underground tunneling for a Lomé flood-control project, as the fast-growing city faces mounting drainage pressures.

China Partnership: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping elevated Togo-China ties to a “community with a shared future,” with Beijing urging Togo to use its zero-tariff access and export channels. Gnassingbé also backed Xiamen’s bid to host the high-seas biodiversity treaty secretariat and called for Lomé’s port to generate more local value, not just handle cargo. Trade & Finance: Ecobank and China’s CIPS signed a deal to improve yuan payment links between China and Africa, aiming to ease cross-border settlement for businesses. Diplomacy: Moscow will host the Russia-Africa Summit on October 28–29, where trade, investment and security are on the agenda. Togo is also attending the IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok as it seeks development financing. Mental Health: A study of 576 women in Togo found 30% turn first to hairdressers for support, while fewer than 1% initially seek help from a health professional.

Black Sea Shipping: Drones struck two merchant ships off Bulgaria overnight on Oct. 12–13, sinking one and injuring crew aboard the other. The attacks came a week after the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank in the same area; its 12 crew members remain missing. The source of the latest strikes has not been confirmed. China Ties: During Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to China, Lomé-based Ecobank signed a deal to facilitate yuan payments between African and Chinese businesses. Gnassingbé also pointed to opportunities for cooperation in maritime security, ports and the blue economy. Lomé Infrastructure: A tunnel-boring machine has been lowered into a shaft for the RAINE stormwater project, which plans 7.5 kilometres of underground drains to help reduce flooding across Greater Lomé. Mobile Money: From Nov. 2, verified users in Togo and other West African Monetary Union countries can hold up to CFAF 4 million per issuer, double the current limit.

China Trade and Investment: Lomé-based Ecobank signed a deal with China’s CIPS to make yuan payments easier for African businesses trading with China, during Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to Beijing. The trip also showcased agricultural technology, but debate at home is focused on whether closer ties will deliver jobs and tangible gains. Urban Infrastructure: A tunnelling machine has begun work on Lomé’s underground flood-drainage network. The 7.5-kilometre system is designed to serve about 230,000 residents, with completion expected in 2028. Mobile Money: From November 2, verified users in Togo and seven other West African Monetary Union countries can hold up to CFAF 4 million per provider, double the current cap. Farming: Togolese cotton growers are adopting soil-restoration and pest-monitoring methods, with some reporting fewer pesticide treatments. Regional Justice: Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo is among five judges sworn into the ECOWAS Court for non-renewable four-year terms.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé toured an agricultural technology hub in Shaanxi, exploring how AI, robotics and digital tools could support Togo’s farming sector. Shaanxi and Togo’s Kara region also signed a cooperation agreement. US Visas: Togo is among 14 African countries facing partial US visa restrictions, covering visitor, student and exchange visas, as well as all immigrant visas. Energy: Togo is planning to open its electricity market to private investors, while regional power officials meeting in Lomé re-elected Nigeria’s Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz to chair the West Africa Power Pool. Business: A Lomé workshop trained Togolese small businesses on AfCFTA trade rules and export opportunities. Moody’s has also named Togo among sub-Saharan African countries with a positive outlook.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé toured Shaanxi during his official China visit, including an intelligent agriculture centre and an apple-growing village, as Togo seeks closer economic ties with Beijing. Trade: A Lomé workshop trained 50 small-business representatives on AfCFTA rules, including how to prove a product’s origin and qualify for tariff preferences. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges, with a charge to uphold impartiality and public trust. Shipping: The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone; its crew remains missing, and responsibility is disputed. Mental Health: A study of 576 women found 30% turn first to a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% first seek help from a health professional.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé toured Shaanxi during his official China visit, including an intelligent agriculture centre and an apple-growing village, as Togo seeks closer ties with Beijing. Trade: A Lomé workshop trained 50 small-business representatives on AfCFTA rules, including how to qualify for tariff preferences and reach export markets. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges, with the bloc’s chair urging impartiality and public trust. Women’s Leadership: ITUC-Africa women called for sustained funding and greater representation in union leadership at a conference in Lomé. Education and Jobs: Togo’s universities are to align courses more closely with labour-market needs, including in agribusiness, renewable energy and digital technology. Mental Health: A study of 576 women found 30% first turn to a hairdresser when facing difficulty, while fewer than 1% seek help first from a health professional.

Higher Education: Togo’s 2026–27 university priorities include aligning courses with employers’ needs, linking research to national challenges and improving education quality. Environment: Officials are planning a national database to track forest restoration, supporting Togo’s target to restore 1.4 million hectares by 2030. Health: A study of 576 women found 30% first confide in a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% turn first to a health professional; nearly all would consider a referral from their hairdresser. Technology: Togo is collecting local-language texts and recordings to help train AI for digital public services. Regional Affairs: A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone; its crew remains missing, and the search was called off. Business and Diplomacy: Togo’s leaders are visiting China to deepen ties, while Lomé and Moscow have outlined cooperation in energy, trade, agriculture and transport. Sports: Ghana named its starting XI for its U-17 championship opener against Togo in Ouagadougou.

Higher Education: Togo’s 2026–27 university agenda will tie courses more closely to jobs, expand research in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture and AI, and strengthen quality. Environment: The government is preparing a national database to track forest restoration as it works toward restoring 1.4 million hectares by 2030. Mental Health: A study of 576 women found 30% turn first to a hairdresser when facing difficulty, while fewer than 1% first seek help from a health professional. Regional Security: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone; its crew remain missing. Economy and Diplomacy: Togo is exploring cooperation with Russia in energy, trade and transport, while Moody’s has given the country a positive credit outlook. Regional Opportunity: Lomé-based ASKY and UNHCR launched a three-year partnership to widen refugees’ access to skills, jobs and entrepreneurship across six West African countries.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé is in China through October 16 for his seventh official visit, with meetings planned with President Xi Jinping and senior officials, plus stops in Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong. Maritime Incident: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea zone. Its 10 crew members remain missing, and Syria has called for an independent investigation. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has given Togo a positive sovereign outlook, alongside seven other sub-Saharan African countries, citing reforms, commodity strength and improved financing access; it cautioned that debt risks remain. Russia Ties: Togo and Russia identified cooperation priorities in energy, transport, agriculture and industry at talks in Lomé, signing two memorandums and exploring a proposed Lomé–Sahel energy corridor. Digital Services: Togo has launched a pilot to gather texts, recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba to help AI tools serve citizens in local languages. Refugee Jobs: ASKY and UNHCR have agreed on a three-year partnership to expand refugees’ access to training, jobs and entrepreneurship, including in Togo.

Maritime Tragedy: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone strike in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Search operations ended without finding its 10 crew members, whose fate remains unknown. Digital Services: Togo launched a one-month challenge to gather local-language texts and recordings for AI tools, beginning with Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba, with the goal of improving access to public services. Power Sector: A draft law would open electricity networks to third-party access and encourage private investment, self-generation and renewable power sales. Economic Outlook: Moody’s gave Togo a positive outlook alongside seven other African countries, citing regional reforms and stronger commodity prices; the outlook is not a credit-rating upgrade. Jobs and Refugees: Lomé-based ASKY and UNHCR launched a three-year partnership to expand training, employment and business opportunities for refugees in Togo and five other West and Central African countries.

Shipping Tragedy: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Searchers found no survivors and called off the operation; reports say 10 crew members, including nine Syrians and one Egyptian, remain missing. The EU condemned the attacks. Digital Services: Togo has launched a month-long pilot to gather texts, recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba, building data to train AI for future public services in local languages. Power Sector: A proposed law would open electricity generation, transmission and distribution to more private investment, allow third-party grid access and support self-generation, as demand is forecast to rise nearly 32% by 2030. Economic Outlook: Moody’s included Togo among eight sub-Saharan African countries with a positive outlook, citing reforms, strong commodity prices and improved financing, while warning that debt costs and limited revenues remain risks. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in for a four-year term at the ECOWAS Court.

Black Sea Tragedy: A Togo-flagged cargo ship, the Alfa Watan, sank after a drone attack off Bulgaria on October 6. Its 10 crew members, including nine Syrians and one Egyptian, remain missing after the search was called off; the attacker has not been confirmed. Power Reform: Togo’s Cabinet approved a draft law to open electricity networks to private investors, support independent producers and enable energy storage and renewable power sales. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has turned its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa positive, listing Togo among eight countries with potential for improved credit ratings, while warning that debt costs and weak public revenues remain risks. Urban Development: Togo created SONADU by merging two public agencies to coordinate urban planning, housing and infrastructure as cities expand.

Maritime Safety: A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after drones struck two commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Ten crew members were missing when the search ended; 18 people were rescued from the other ship, with two injured. Bulgaria is investigating, while Ukraine blamed Russia. Economic Reform: Togo plans to raise annual tax revenue to CFAF 2.109 trillion by 2031 through a broader tax base and digital collection. A draft electricity law would open networks further to private producers and recognize energy storage. Urban Development: The government has created SONADU by merging two public agencies to coordinate urban planning, housing and infrastructure. Regional Role: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges for a four-year term. Business and Environment: Togo introduced a fast-track business visa and is preparing stronger rules on plastic pollution, including producer responsibility and waste-management funding.