AGP Executive Report

Digital Infrastructure: Togo signed an agreement with Huawei to modernize energy, transport and customs systems, with technology transfer and local skills development included. China Ties: During Faure Gnassingbé’s October visit, Togo and China signed 13 cooperation agreements, including a soybean export protocol; Beijing also agreed to write off an unspecified portion of Togo’s debt. Agriculture: A workshop in Kara trained about 50 stakeholders to improve access to climate-adapted seeds in the drought- and flood-hit north. Investment: ECOWAS reports say Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million. Regional Cooperation: ECOWAS and Togo discussed joint action on environmental protection, climate resilience and natural-resource management. Trade Payments: Togo-based Ecobank signed an agreement with China’s CIPS payment system to expand renminbi settlement for African-China trade.

Agriculture: Togo trained about 50 seed producers and agricultural stakeholders in Kara to improve farmers’ access to quality seeds in drought- and flood-hit northern regions. The October 14–16 workshop also aims to build community seed multiplication and distribution. China Ties: During Faure Gnassingbé’s October visit, Togo and China signed 13 agreements on trade, technology and economic cooperation. They include a protocol to ease soybean exports to China; Beijing also agreed to cancel an unspecified portion of Togo’s debt. Investment: ECOWAS’s 2025 regional reports show Togo approved 47 investment projects worth about $619 million, amid wider efforts to modernise investor services. Women’s Empowerment: Togo is setting up complaint channels for communities covered by a $62.5 million World Bank-backed project, with options including phone, SMS and WhatsApp and a target of resolving cases within 20 days.

China Ties: Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé’s October 9–16 visit, covering trade, customs, technology and investment. China also agreed to write off an undisclosed portion of Togo’s public debt, which stood at about $331 million at the end of 2024. A new protocol could open China’s market to Togolese soybeans, while Chinese organizations pledged free robotics and 6G training for top students. Women’s Empowerment: Togo is setting up a complaint system for communities covered by the $62.5 million SWEDD+ project, with complaints accepted in person, by phone, SMS, WhatsApp or email. Organizers say cases should be resolved within 20 days, with confidentiality safeguards for gender-based violence reports. Digital Skills: Togo is also training 30 digital content creators to counter misinformation and collecting data to develop AI in local languages.

ECOWAS–Sahel Talks: ECOWAS and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger held their first official ministerial meeting since the three countries left the bloc. The sides agreed to set up working groups toward a cooperation framework, while the Sahel Alliance stressed sovereignty and did not frame the talks as a return to ECOWAS. Togo–China Ties: During Faure Gnassingbé’s China visit, the countries signed 13 agreements on trade, technology and cooperation. China agreed to write off an unspecified portion of Togo’s debt, and a new protocol sets conditions for Togolese soybean exports to China. Chinese organisations also pledged free robotics and 6G training for selected Togolese students. Women’s Empowerment: Togo is preparing a complaint system for communities covered by its $62.5 million SWEDD+ project, with complaints accepted in person or by phone, text, WhatsApp and email. The system is intended to improve oversight and protect beneficiaries, including survivors of gender-based violence.

China Partnership: Togo and China signed 13 agreements during Faure Gnassingbé’s October 9–16 visit, spanning trade, technology and customs. Beijing also agreed to write off an unspecified portion of Togo’s public debt; Togo owed China about $331 million at the end of 2024. Exports and Skills: A new protocol sets sanitary requirements for Togolese soybean exports to China, a potential market for the country’s growing crop. Chinese organizations also pledged free robotics and 6G training for top Togolese students, though places and dates are not yet set. Women’s Empowerment: Togo is setting up a complaints system for its $62.5 million World Bank-backed SWEDD+ project, with local committees to handle concerns about activities supporting women and girls. Complaints can be submitted in person or remotely, with acknowledgment due within two days and resolution targeted within 20.

Russia-Africa: A photo exhibition on Russia–Africa summits opened in Lomé on Oct. 16, ahead of a Moscow summit later this month. China ties: During Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to China, Togo signed a protocol on soybean exports and secured pledges of free robotics and 6G training for top students. The two countries also elevated ties and reaffirmed diplomatic alignment. Women’s empowerment: Togo is setting up complaint committees for its $62.5 million SWEDD+ project, with grievances accepted in person or remotely and targeted for resolution within 20 days. Procedures are to protect the safety and confidentiality of complainants.

China-Togo Ties: Faure Gnassingbé’s China visit produced a soybean export protocol and pledges of free robotics and 6G training for top Togolese students. The two countries also elevated relations to a “shared future” partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including infrastructure, agriculture and finance. Women’s Empowerment: Togo is setting up a community complaints system for its $62.5 million World Bank-backed SWEDD+ project, with multiple ways to report concerns and a target of resolving cases within 20 days. Land Administration: Togo appointed notary Méméssilé Gnazo to lead its National Land and Property Agency, tasked with managing land records, issuing titles and helping prevent disputes. Lomé Port: Gnassingbé has called for the port to generate more local value, not simply handle more cargo.

China Ties and Trade: Togo and China elevated relations to a “community with a shared future” during Faure Gnassingbé’s visit to Beijing. They signed a protocol setting plant-health rules for Togolese soybean exports, while China signalled interest in deeper cooperation on infrastructure, agriculture and finance. Lomé also reaffirmed Beijing’s positions on Taiwan, Hong Kong and other disputed issues. Land Administration: Togo appointed notary Méméssilé Gnazo to lead its National Land and Property Agency, tasked with managing land records, issuing titles and helping prevent disputes. Regional Trade: Togo and the Sahel states of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are working to harmonize customs rules and link systems, a move with implications for goods moving through the Port of Lomé. Digital Safety: Thirty Togolese content creators received training in misinformation checks, cybersecurity and responsible AI use.

China-Togo Ties: Faure Gnassingbé and Chinese leaders agreed to deepen trade and cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and finance, elevating relations to a “community with a shared future.” Beijing also urged Togo to use zero-tariff access to expand exports. Land Administration: Togo has named notary Méméssilé Gnazo to lead its National Land and Property Agency, tasked with managing land records, issuing titles and helping prevent disputes. Regional Trade: Togo and Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are working to align customs rules and link systems, a move that could improve transit through Lomé’s port. Digital Media: Thirty Togolese content creators received training in misinformation checks, cybersecurity and responsible AI use. Maritime Security: A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank in the Black Sea after a drone attack last week; its crew is reported missing.

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.