AGP Executive Report

Public Health: Togo has stepped up Ebola screening at airports, seaports and land borders after Nigeria confirmed a case. No infections had been reported in Togo as of October 27. Digital Services: Togo AI Lab’s October mission to Germany, Luxembourg and Belgium explored ways to improve public services through AI and data governance. A separate tender for an interactive fibre-coverage map has an October 30 application deadline. Russia Ties: Togo and Russia agreed to recognise each other’s seafarer qualifications and signed three cooperation deals covering areas including education, agriculture and human rights. Russia is also discussing floating nuclear power plants with Togo, but no contract has been awarded. Cross-Border Trade: A new initiative covering Togo and four other West African countries aims to tackle barriers facing women traders, including limited finance, confusing procedures and inadequate border facilities.

Public Health: Togo has stepped up Ebola screening at airports, seaports and land borders after Nigeria confirmed a case; the Health Ministry said no cases had been detected in Togo as of October 27. Digital Access: The telecom regulator is seeking a contractor for an online map of fibre coverage and provider comparisons, with bids due October 30. Maritime Cooperation: Togo and Russia signed a deal to recognize each other’s seafarer qualifications, with electronic checks and a seven-working-day response deadline. Russia Ties: The countries also agreed to cooperation in education, agriculture and humanitarian affairs, while Togo’s energy ministry signed a nuclear-cooperation memorandum with Rosatom. Clean Energy: Togo is consulting on a 70–110 MW solar project at Nangbéto ahead of a competitive tender; comments are due November 9. Fintech: Togolese firms can apply by November 30 to test financial services in the BCEAO’s supervised regulatory sandbox.

Russia Ties: Togo signed two cooperation agreements and a memorandum with Russia in Moscow, covering education, research, culture and humanitarian work. A separate Rosatom deal will assess peaceful nuclear energy projects and specialist training. Clean Energy: Togo is seeking public and industry feedback on plans for a 70–110 MW solar plant at Nangbéto before a competitive tender; comments are due November 9. Digital Services: The government is recruiting four consultants to help move public procurement online, while the BCEAO has opened its regulatory sandbox to Togolese fintech firms, with applications due November 30. Roads and Industry: Togo’s new road financing agency, SONAFIR, has a new director as the country seeks to broaden funding for infrastructure. Togo was also selected for a WAEMU phosphate-fertilizer production hub. Border Cooperation: Ghana and Togo are coordinating on security and community development in border areas amid concerns over extremism, cross-border crime and displacement.

Digital Services: Togo is preparing to move public procurement online, seeking four consultants to help build the system. The telecom regulator is also planning an interactive map for residents to check fiber coverage, compare providers and report network problems. Finance & Infrastructure: Togolese fintech firms can apply by November 30 to test financial services in the BCEAO’s regulatory sandbox. Naka Gnassingbé de Souza has been named head of the new road-financing agency, SONAFIR, which is tasked with broadening funding for road projects. Industry & Agriculture: Togo is among the planned sites for a WAEMU phosphate-fertilizer hub under a regional investment plan worth 1,452.5 billion CFA francs. Separately, 1,000 farmers in the Savanes region received seeds and fertilizer for dry-season production. Public Services: Officials say literacy programs received just 403 million CFA francs of a planned 4 billion in 2024–25, leaving a major funding gap. More than 300 participants also met in Kpalimé to discuss waste management and shared priorities ahead of COP31. Digital Finance: Mobile-money transactions in Togo totaled 4,435 billion CFA francs in 2025, with 54.5% of registered accounts active.

Public Services: Togo is recruiting four specialists to move public procurement online, a reform intended to widen access to tenders and improve oversight. The BCEAO has also opened a regulatory sandbox for Togolese fintech firms, with applications due November 30. Infrastructure & Connectivity: Naka Gnassingbé de Souza has taken charge of the new road-financing agency, SONAFIR, which aims to diversify funding for road projects. Telecom regulator ARCEP is planning an online map to compare fiber coverage, speeds and providers. Industry & Agriculture: Togo is among the sites chosen for a WAEMU phosphate-fertilizer hub under a 1.45 trillion CFA-franc regional investment plan for 2026–30. In Savanes, 1,000 farmers received seeds and fertilizer to support dry-season production. Border Communities: Ghana and Togo are stepping up cooperation on security and local development; stalled projects in northern Ghana and Oti are expected to resume after funding delays were resolved. Education & Environment: Togo faces a 3.6 billion CFA-franc shortfall for literacy programs, while a regional forum in Kpalimé brought more than 300 participants together to discuss waste management and climate priorities.

Maritime Rescue: Togo’s navy helped locate and rescue seven Ghanaian fishermen adrift near Benin after their canoe’s engine failed. The operation brought Ghanaian, Togolese and Beninese maritime agencies together and renewed calls for stronger safety measures. Digital Economy: Mobile money transactions in Togo reached CFAF 4,435 billion in 2025, up 7.9% year on year. More than half of registered accounts were active, the second-highest share in the WAEMU region. AI and Public Services: Togo has launched a three-year effort to collect local-language recordings and translations to train AI models, with the aim of making government services more accessible. Energy Safety: Lawmakers approved three nuclear-energy bills at first reading, covering protection of nuclear materials and compensation for accident victims. Industry and Agriculture: Togo is central to UEMOA’s CFAF 1.45 trillion regional fertilizer plan, but questions remain over financing, infrastructure and environmental impacts. Parliament also approved an agricultural bill at first reading.

Digital Finance: Mobile-money transactions in Togo reached CFAF 4,435.3 billion in 2025, up 7.9%. More than half of registered accounts were active, the second-highest share in WAEMU. Phosphate Industry: Togo is positioned as a hub for a CFAF 1.45 trillion regional fertilizer push aimed at reducing import dependence. Financing, energy, logistics and environmental concerns remain unresolved. Local-Language AI: The government has launched a three-year project inviting citizens to record speech and submit translations to train AI models and make public services more accessible. Agriculture: Lawmakers approved an agricultural framework bill in its first reading, including plans for a development fund, stronger land security and support for local processing. Implementation will depend on funding and follow-up rules. Nuclear Safety: Parliament also passed three bills in first reading on protecting nuclear materials and compensating victims of nuclear accidents.

Digital Inclusion: Togo has launched a three-year “Voix du Togo” programme to collect local-language recordings and translations for AI models, with the aim of making public services more accessible. Regional Cooperation: Togo’s navy joined Ghanaian and Beninese forces in rescuing seven fishermen whose canoe drifted into Beninese waters after engine failure and strong winds; they returned safely on October 22. Budget & Economy: The government has proposed a 2027 budget of CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the previous year. Agriculture: Lawmakers approved an agricultural orientation bill in its first reading, setting out plans to improve financing and market access, support local processing and strengthen food security. Education & Skills: The University of Datcha is set to welcome its first students in 2026–27, while the government is also considering an agency to oversee professional certifications. Lomé Fair: More than 700 exhibitors, sponsors and partners have completed training ahead of the international fair, scheduled for November 27 to December 13.

Maritime Rescue: Togo’s navy joined Ghanaian and Beninese forces in helping bring seven Ghanaian fishers safely home after their canoe drifted into Beninese waters. The crew had been stranded for nearly two weeks after an engine failure. Public Finances: Cabinet proposed a 2027 budget of CFA 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the initial 2026 budget, with questions remaining over spending priorities and delivery. Agriculture: Lawmakers passed an agricultural framework bill at first reading, targeting better access to finance and markets, stronger food security and more local processing. Business: More than 700 exhibitors and partners trained ahead of the Lomé International Fair, set for November 27 to December 13. Education: The government authorized the University of Datcha to begin classes in 2026–27, offering programs in agriculture, biomedical sciences and territorial governance.

Lomé Fair: More than 700 exhibitors, sponsors and partners received training ahead of the International Fair of Lomé, scheduled for November 27 to December 13. Sessions covered stand management, digital promotion, safety and business results. Regional Rescue: Seven Ghanaian fishermen returned safely after drifting for nearly two weeks; Ghana credited Togolese and Beninese naval forces and local fishers with helping rescue them. Agriculture: Lawmakers approved an agricultural orientation bill at first reading. It aims to improve farmers’ access to finance and markets, strengthen land security and promote local processing. Public Finances: Cabinet approved a 2027 draft budget of CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 budget. Investment: A draft reform of special economic zones would encourage industry outside Greater Lomé and link incentives to local sourcing, training and skilled jobs. Higher Education: The University of Datcha is set to begin classes in 2026–27, with programs in agriculture, biomedical sciences and territorial governance.

Nutrition: A World Bank health director says governments in the region still have room to fund nutrition through tax revenues, warning that childhood stunting remains a major threat to development. Togo received an additional $81 million for health and nutrition projects in December 2025. Agriculture: Togolese lawmakers have approved an agricultural orientation bill in its first reading. It proposes a development fund, stronger land rights and better access to finance and markets, with support for irrigation, mechanization and local processing. Maritime safety: Seven Ghanaian fishermen rescued after drifting into Beninese waters were brought home safely following a joint operation involving Togo and Benin. Ghana’s fisheries minister praised the regional response and called for stronger safety measures. Public finances: Togo’s draft 2027 budget totals CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 budget, with CFAF 490 billion earmarked for investment. Industry and education: The government has approved draft reforms to attract industrial investment beyond Lomé, and authorized the University of Datcha to begin classes in 2026–27.

Public Finances: Togo’s draft 2027 budget totals CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 plan. It sets aside CFAF 490 billion for investment, with spending priorities including security, public services and economic development. Higher Education: The University of Datcha is set to welcome its first students in 2026–27, offering 12 programmes in agriculture, biomedical sciences and territorial governance. Skills and Industry: The government is considering an agency to oversee professional certifications, while a proposed free-zone reform aims to attract investment beyond Lomé and strengthen links between manufacturers and local suppliers. Food Imports: A Togolese rice importer says demand for Indian rice remains strong, but higher prices are delaying large orders. Maritime Safety: Togo joined Benin and Ghana in the rescue of seven Ghanaian fishermen found adrift in Beninese waters; Ghana’s fisheries minister is urging stronger safety measures at sea.

Maritime Cooperation: Ghana thanked Togo, Benin and international partners for helping rescue seven fishermen who drifted for 12 days after their boat’s engine failed. Ghana’s fisheries minister called for stronger safety practices and said talks are underway to equip boats with trackers. Local Government: Togo appointed six prefects, including four colonels, for Avé, Bas-Mono, Est-Mono, Kloto, Wawa and Yoto. Public Finance: The government’s proposed 2027 budget totals CFAF 2,684.1 billion, down 2.5% from the original 2026 plan, with CFAF 490 billion set aside for roadmap investments. Industry and Jobs: A draft reform of special economic zones aims to attract investment beyond Lomé and strengthen local sourcing, training and skilled employment. Skills and Rights: Togo is planning an agency to improve the credibility and recognition of professional certifications. Separately, Amnesty International urged Sierra Leone not to return Togolese national Abalo Agba to a country where a US immigration judge found he risked torture or abuse.

2027 Budget: Togo’s government has proposed a balanced CFAF 2,684.1 billion budget, 2.5% below the original 2026 plan. It sets aside CFAF 490 billion for investment under the 2026–2031 roadmap, including security, services, agriculture and jobs. Industry and Investment: A proposed reform of special economic zones would offer conditional incentives to attract industry beyond Lomé, promote local sourcing and create skilled jobs. The current system’s 91 operating firms employ nearly 19,000 people, but investment remains concentrated around the capital. Business Climate: At a Lomé forum, major companies called for fairer, more effective tax collection and reforms to strengthen competitiveness and productive investment. Regional Cooperation: Seven Ghanaian fishermen rescued in Beninese waters returned safely after a joint search involving Ghana, Togo and Benin. Their canoe had drifted across the region after an engine failure. Banking: Coris Bank International Togo named Michel Kodzo Gafan, a banking executive with more than 25 years’ experience, as its new CEO.

Airport Operations: Togo is handing duty-free management at Lomé’s international airport to Lagardère Travel Retail as sanitation and maintenance failures fuel scrutiny of the country’s ambitions to become a regional hub. Business Climate: Major companies urged tax reforms and more productive investment at a Lomé forum, while the government said it wants fairer tax collection, not higher burdens on existing taxpayers. Food and Farming: The Lomé agriculture fair is bringing regional farmers and businesses together to tackle climate risks and build trade; a separate workshop highlighted new food standards meant to improve safety and market access for Togolese products. Regional Cooperation: Togo joined Ghana and Benin in the search-and-rescue effort that brought seven Ghanaian fishers home after their canoe drifted into Beninese waters. Power Supply: CEET says electricity disruptions linked to gas-pipeline maintenance should ease before the end of October.

Food and Farming: Togo’s Lomé agriculture fair is bringing farmers and agribusinesses together to address climate risks and seek new markets. Authorities are also promoting food standards to improve product safety and competitiveness, while Togo and Burkina Faso have agreed on tighter checks to track cross-border livestock. Regional Cooperation: Togo is coordinating with Ghana and Benin to help return seven fishermen rescued in Benin’s waters; the crew’s boat reportedly drifted after engine failure. Power Supply: CEET says outages linked to gas-pipeline maintenance could ease before the end of October, with alternative energy sources being used to limit disruptions. Politics and Partnerships: Togo’s opposition is demanding a political reset as dialogue falters. Earlier this week, Togo and China signed 13 cooperation agreements, with China also pledging partial debt relief. Digital Skills: Togo is adding science, coding and robotics to school cultural weeks, while presenting digital initiatives at a global summit in Seoul.