AGP Executive Report

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly is set to vote on Friday to move away from the Mercator projection and adopt the 2018 Equal Earth design, a change Togo is pushing with African Union backing—supporters say it better reflects Africa’s true size and could ripple into classrooms and everyday tech. AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: CAF has released the schedule for the first two matchdays, running Sept. 24–Oct. 6, 2026, with 48 teams in 12 groups; highlights include Ivory Coast vs Ghana and Egypt vs Angola. Togo in Health Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche has assumed office as WAHO Director-General, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV and health systems work. Cybersecurity Skills: Togo’s ANCy is calling for expressions of interest to build a roster of cybersecurity professionals, with applications open until Oct. 30, 2026. Made in Togo Trade Push: The Made in Togo Fair has reached Aného for its second stop, running Sept. 2–6, to connect local producers with buyers and partners.

WAHO Leadership: Togolese public health expert Prof. Palokinam Pitche has officially assumed office as Director-General of WAHO, bringing over 25 years of experience in HIV care, health systems strengthening, and regional protocol harmonization. Digital Security Skills: Togo’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCy) is calling for expressions of interest to build a roster of cybersecurity professionals, with applications open until Oct. 30, 2026. Women’s Finance Push: The AfDB and AXIAN will roll out a digital finance program for women-led businesses in Madagascar, Tanzania, Senegal, Togo and the Comoros, combining lending, training, and business support. Trade & Industry: Togo Soja has shipped its first processed shea butter export from the Adétikopé industrial platform, as Togo pushes more local processing before exports. Business & Tourism: The “Made in Togo Fair” reached Aného for its second stop, running Sept. 2–6 and linking local producers with new buyers and partners. Regional Diplomacy: President Faure Gnassingbé met Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko in Bishkek, with Belarus pledging support for Togo’s 2026–2031 roadmap, especially in agriculture and agro-industry.

Ukraine War Impact: Russia’s strikes on Odesa’s energy backbone have cut power to 350,000 families, with public transport and water supply disrupted as vessel calls at the port drop sharply. Diplomacy & Trade: A new South African High Commissioner to Benin and Togo, Dr Bonginkosi Buthelezi, is set to deepen ties and push business links between KwaZulu-Natal and West Africa. Franco-Togolese Legal Pressure: French prosecutors are scrutinizing assets in France tied to President Faure Gnassingbé’s family, with allegations of money laundering and state-fund diversion. Conservation Watch: West Africa’s vulture plan is struggling to launch, while Togo’s hooded vultures have plunged and white-backed vultures are presumed locally extinct. Togo Finance & Economy: Togo is tapping retail investors with a CFAF 40bn bond offering and reports 3.8% GDP growth in Q1 2026, alongside a 68.4% reform implementation rate by mid-2026. Health & Regional Leadership: Professor Palokinam Pitche has assumed office as WAHO Director-General, bringing long experience from Togo’s AIDS programmes. Governance & Security: Togo cosponsored a move to review commercial whaling quotas, drawing criticism from conservation groups.

French Detention Case: Two French filmmakers and a Togolese fixer, held since late July over a France Télévisions documentary, were freed under judicial supervision after weeks in detention; Togo says it has “serious” evidence, including alleged drone use in northern Togo. Banking & Finance: Despite having just 6.6% of WAEMU banking assets, Lomé hosts the region’s biggest banking holding-company base, with four groups controlling 40% of holding assets. Public Investment Push: Togo is offering retail investors CFAF 40 billion in WAEMU bonds (5- and 7-year tranches) to fund 2026 public investment, with strong demand reported. Reform Progress: Togo reports a 68.4% reform implementation rate by end-June 2026, alongside a 63.3% budget execution rate. Agriculture & Resilience: A Chad delegation visited Lomé to study Togo’s digital agriculture tools (SIHAM, TG-ALERTE+, e-Agri conseil) aimed at better weather and risk planning for farmers. Health Leadership: Professor Palokinam T. Pitche officially assumed office as WAHO Director-General, bringing long experience from Togo’s national AIDS programmes. Marine Policy Clash: Togo cosponsored a proposal to review commercial whaling quotas, drawing criticism from whale conservation groups. Energy & Jobs: Togo says its extractive sector supports roughly 25,000–28,000 workers, and reports Q1 2026 growth of 3.8% driven by industry and logistics.

SCO+ Diplomacy: Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé urged a more equitable, multipolar world at the SCO+ summit in Bishkek, calling for UN reform and better financing for the Global South. Health Leadership: Professor Palokinam T. Pitche formally assumed office as WAHO Director-General, bringing long experience from Togo’s AIDS programmes and regional health work. Public Finance: Togo launched a CFAF 40 billion retail bond drive (5- and 7-year tranches) to fund 2026 public investment, as reforms continue with a 68.4% implementation rate by end-June. Economy & Jobs: Q1 2026 growth hit 3.8%, led by industry and port-linked logistics, while extractives could support 25,000–28,000 workers. Agriculture Tech: Chad studied Togo’s digital agriculture tools (SIHAM, TG-ALERTE+, e-Agri conseil) to strengthen weather and risk planning for farmers. Governance & Business Climate: Togo is also pushing better financial reporting and tackling credit strain tied to delayed public payments.

Togo Economy: Togo’s economy grew 3.8% year-on-year in Q1 2026, with industry and logistics leading—textile and apparel surged, while transport and trade lifted services, supported by activity around the Port of Lomé. Public Finance & Business Climate: Local contractors say banks are tightening credit as public invoice backlogs leave firms unable to repay loans, slowing infrastructure delivery. Roads & Safeguards: Togo is recruiting a consultant for a 45-day audit of the Lomé–Cotonou road resettlement plan, checking compensation and support for affected communities. Health & Jobs: Togo joined regional training to build economic tools showing health spending as investment, while a BOAD-backed mentoring push has trained 43 young people for work. International Watch (Togo ties): Togo is cosponsoring a move to review commercial whaling quotas, and Gilbert Houngbo is seeking a second term as ILO chief amid a tight leadership race. SCO Diplomacy: In Bishkek, Togo’s PM Victoire Tomegah Dogbé attended the SCO+ talks as leaders focused on security and global governance.

SCO Summit Diplomacy: Togo’s Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah Dogbé and President Faure Gnassingbé are in Bishkek for the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and SCO+ meetings, with Kyrgyzstan praising Togo as a “promising partner” and thanking Lomé for support toward a UN Security Council seat. Regional Security & Terrorism: India’s PM Narendra Modi used the SCO platform to call for dismantling the “entire ecosystem of terrorism,” including financing and safe havens, and warned against “double standards.” Togo Governance & Roads: Togo is recruiting a consultant for a 45-day completion audit of the Lomé–Cotonou road resettlement plan, while a new National Accounting Council (CNC-Togo) is launched to strengthen financial reporting and accountability. Anti-Corruption Legal Fight (France): Vincent Bolloré has filed a complaint against Paris magistrates in a corruption-linked case tied to alleged preferential port treatment in Lomé. Youth Jobs: With BOAD support, KDA-Pro’s mentoring program is preparing young Togolese for work, with cohorts honored after six-month training. Sports (WAFU-B): Edo Queens set to face USFA in the Women’s Champions League qualifiers, with Togo’s ASKO de Kara featuring in the group stage.

Togo’s Diplomatic Push in Eurasia: President Faure Gnassingbé thanked Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov after bilateral talks in Bishkek ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, signaling Lomé’s drive to widen partnerships beyond traditional allies. Financial Governance Upgrade: Togo launched the National Accounting Council (CNC-Togo) in Lomé to improve reliability and consistency of financial reporting, with a focus on transparency and stronger performance monitoring across public and private sectors. Regional Security and Russia’s Role: Reports say Russian forces have again operated alongside Niger’s junta to help suppress a mutiny in Niamey, highlighting Moscow’s growing security footprint in uranium- and gold-rich West Africa. ECOWAS Border Reality for Women Traders: A women’s trade group urged Ghana and Togo to make ECOWAS free movement work on the ground, saying border restrictions still hinder cross-border business. Togo-Linked International Labour Race: Peru is set to challenge Togo’s Gilbert Houngbo for the ILO top job as the agency faces funding shortfalls that could trigger job cuts. Trade Disruption Watch: Niger is increasingly routing commerce through Nigerian ports as Benin border tensions and insecurity disrupt key trade corridors.

Cross-Border Power Payments: Nigeria’s electricity exports brought in about N87.85bn in 2025 from Niger, Togo and Benin, with international buyers paying $62.75m (an 84.90% remittance rate) for ancillary services. Debt Watch: The same NERC report says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria about $11.16m for 2025 power supply. Togo in Focus: Togo’s CEET is listed among the international offtakers that partially cleared invoices. Regional Diplomacy: Togo’s Prime Minister Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the SCO Plus Summit and the World Nomad Games opening ceremony. Sports Streaming: DAZN secured LaLiga rights for Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, starting this weekend. Business/Competition: Nigeria’s FCCPC opened a cement probe after prices reportedly topped ₦15,000 for a 50kg bag, raising housing-cost concerns.

Regional Power Debt: Nigeria’s electricity regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger still owe $11.16m for 2025 power supplied under bilateral deals, with only 84.9% of $73.91m paid—raising pressure on cross-border grid payments. ECOWAS Peacekeeping Record: ECOWAS has released four books documenting its peace interventions and lessons learned, including work in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, as the bloc pushes better peacemaking and peacebuilding practices. SCO Summit Attendance: Leaders for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Sept. 1 include Togolese PM Faure Gnassingbé alongside Xi, Putin and Modi, with UN chief António Guterres also expected. Togo Banking Stress: Togolese banks posted a CFAF 20.5bn loss in 2025 after a regulator-ordered cleanup of problem loans, even as income and operating profit rose. Digital Learning for Women: Nigeria’s WhatsApp chatbot “Kemi” is expanding support for reporting and help around technology-facilitated gender-based violence across Nigeria and parts of West Africa, including Togo. Football on TV: DAZN secured LaLiga rights across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons, bringing all 380 matches per season to fans in the region. Sports (Women’s Handball): Ghana’s Black Fingers depart for an IHF Zone III tournament in Burkina Faso, with Togo among the teams they’ll face.

Electricity Debt Watch: Nigeria’s power regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 electricity and ancillary services, with only 84.9% of $73.91m paid so far—another pressure point for cross-border power reliability. Regional Diplomacy: The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek on Sept. 1 will include Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé alongside major leaders, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expected. Digital Safety for Women: Nigeria’s WhatsApp chatbot “Kemi” is expanding support for women facing technology-facilitated gender-based violence across Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon. Skills vs. Tradition: Youths are increasingly choosing digital careers over apprenticeships in trades like tailoring and carpentry, raising concerns about the future talent pipeline. Sports & Media: DAZN secured LaLiga broadcast rights across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons, starting this weekend. Togolese Economy: Togolese banks reportedly posted a 2025 loss after regulators forced a cleanup of problem loans.

SCO Summit in Bishkek: Togolese Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé is among leaders from 17 countries and six international organisations set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit and “SCO Plus” meeting on September 1, 2026, chaired by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. Electricity Debt Watch: Nigeria’s regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 power supply under bilateral arrangements, with only 84.90% of $73.91m collected. Sports Streaming: DAZN secured LaLiga EA SPORTS broadcast rights across Sub-Saharan Africa for three seasons (2026/27–2028/29), starting this weekend, bringing all 380 matches per season to fans in Togo and beyond. Digital Learning Boost: Google expanded its free one-year Google AI Plus offer to students in 27 African countries, including Togo, with access to Gemini tools and cloud storage. Local Business & Finance: A report says Togolese banks lost CFAF 20.5bn in 2025 as a regulator-ordered cleanup of problem loans wiped out gains. Culture & Creativity: Togo is among countries taking part in Ghana’s CRAFTARA Festival in Accra, promoting African crafts and artisan opportunities.

Regional Energy Debt: Nigeria’s power regulator says Togo, Niger and Benin still owe Nigeria $11.16m for electricity supplied in 2025, with international customers paying only 84.90% of $73.91m invoiced. Banking Sector Stress: Togolese banks posted a CFAF 20.5bn ($36.4m) loss in 2025 after a regulator-ordered cleanup of problem loans, even as income and operating profit rose. Cross-Border Trade: Nigeria Customs’ Kebbi command met Nigerien Customs to boost legitimate trade along the Kamba–Tungan Gyado corridor, citing insecurity on Togo and Burkina routes and diplomatic friction with Benin. Togo in Global Diplomacy: Togo’s Prime Minister Faure Gnassingbé is listed among leaders expected at the Sept. 1 Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek. Sports Media: DAZN secured rights to broadcast LaLiga EA SPORTS across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2028/29, starting this weekend. Culture & Talent: The CRAFTARA Festival opened in Accra with exhibitors from Togo and other African countries, while Togo’s MAMAM FADILA won a Chinese Bridge continental title.

Electricity debt: Nigeria’s power regulator says Togo, Niger and Benin owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity supplied under bilateral deals, with international customers paying only $62.75m of $73.91m invoiced (NERC). Banking stress: Togo’s banks posted a CFAF 20.5bn loss in 2025 after a regulator-ordered cleanup of problem loans, even as income and profits before risk costs rose (WAMU banking). Finance & trade policy: Togo approved reforms that dissolve the Free Zone Administration Company (SAZOF) and expand the Investment Promotion and Free Zone Agency (API-ZF) to manage industrial zones and investor incentives (Free zones). Regional business push: Northshore Apparel Ghana says it will add a fabric mill and a cotton outgrower scheme as it expands its industrial park, aiming to export finished clothing (Textiles). Border trade focus: Nigeria and Niger customs agreed to strengthen cooperation on the Kamba–Tungan Gyado corridor to ease bottlenecks and boost legitimate trade (Customs). Culture spotlight: CRAFTARA Festival 2026 opened in Accra with exhibitors from Togo and other countries promoting African creativity and artisan opportunities (Arts & culture).

Chinese Bridge: The 25th Chinese Bridge global finals wrapped up in Xiamen, with Togo’s Wang Jiayi (MAMAM FADILA) winning a continental title among finalists from 140+ countries. Maritime Security: A tanker hijacked off Yemen was boarded by armed men and diverted toward Somalia, underscoring renewed Somali piracy risks in the Gulf of Aden. Sahel Politics: The AES confederal Parliament was inaugurated in Niamey, but critics are questioning whether the new institution has real democratic legitimacy and a popular mandate. Togo & Investment: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolved SAZOF and expanded API-ZF powers to manage industrial zones and streamline investment approvals. Togo & Oceans: Togo’s National Assembly adopted a bill to ratify the BBNJ high-seas biodiversity agreement, aiming for a stronger voice at the January 2027 conference. DRC Ceasefire: Qatar welcomed the first EJVM+ field verification mission in Minembwe as a practical step in the Doha Process. Togo Economy Watch: A new ranking puts Togo’s banking sector in focus, with Orabank leading by total assets.

Russia Recruitment Crackdown: Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Botswana are pushing back on Russian recruitment of Africans, using arrests, investigations and public figures, while other states are still staying quiet. Tigray Frontline: Ethiopia’s military has carried out sustained drone strikes in Tigray amid the first prolonged confrontation since the 2022 war pause. DR Congo Ceasefire Checks: Qatar welcomed the first field verification mission under the Doha ceasefire process in Minembwe, with access facilitated by Kinshasa and the AFC/M23, and support from the US, Switzerland, MONUSCO and Togo. Togo Investment Reform: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolved SAZOF and expanded API-ZF powers to manage industrial zones and streamline investment approvals. Togo Banking Snapshot: Orabank Togo leads the market by assets, followed by Ecobank and Coris Bank, showing a concentrated top tier. Electricity Cost Watch: Nigeria recorded Africa’s cheapest average power tariff in 2025, while Togo’s tariff sat among the higher group. Sports & Football Talk: FIFA Infantino faces mounting backlash in Africa football debates, while Togo-linked football coverage continues to ripple across qualifiers.