AGP Executive Report

Digital MSME Push: Togo’s Agence Togo Digital (ATD) launched the Boîte à Outils Digitaux des TPME (BoD-TPME) in Kara, a one-stop online platform to help small businesses assess their digital maturity, find solutions, and get adviser support—aimed at boosting the share of firms using digital tools. Nuclear & Energy Planning: Lawmakers approved bills to let Togo join key nuclear safety and radiological risk conventions, while Lomé was selected to host NEISA 2027, a major Africa nuclear innovation summit. EU Security and Governance Talks: Togo and the EU held their 4th political dialogue in Lomé, focusing on peace and security, democracy, human rights, and deeper economic cooperation. France Partnership Priorities: France and Togo agreed on 2026-2028 cooperation priorities, highlighting major investments in water, electricity access, training centers, and rural roads. Aviation & Maritime Economy: Lomé will host AFCAC’s African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026, and on World Oceans Day Togo’s maritime minister said nearly 70% of economic activity depends on the maritime sector. Border Trade Support: Customs in Ghana met Aflao cross-border women traders to tackle illegal extortion and improve facilitation, while Togo’s border traders also received training on tax compliance and safe trade practices. Football Finance: FIFA confirmed a $355m club benefits programme for teams releasing players during World Cup 2026 qualifiers, including Togolese striker Franck Mawuena’s club Remo Stars. Sports Coaching: Veteran coach Claude Le Roy was named Republic of Congo head coach with a goal of qualifying for AFCON 2027. Visa-Free Integration: At Biashara Afrika in Lomé, Togo announced visa-free entry for Africans with valid African passports for up to 30 days.

Aviation & Trade Integration: Lomé will host the AFCAC African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 (June 15–19), bringing together airlines, regulators and investors to push the Single African Air Transport Market, with talks on taxes, airport financing, cargo, digital upgrades and sustainable fuels. Maritime Economy: On World Oceans Day, Togo’s maritime minister said nearly 70% of national economic activity depends on the sea, with the Port of Lomé driving growth and transshipment lifting 2024 traffic to 30.6 million tonnes. Cross-Border Business: In Aflao, the Trans-Border Business Network trained 300+ women traders on safe trade practices and tax compliance, while Ghana Customs officials urged traders to use official checkpoints and avoid extortion. Visa-Free Move: At Biashara Afrika in Lomé, President Faure Gnassingbé announced visa-free entry for all Africans with valid African passports for up to 30 days. Labour Migration Shock: Kuwait restricted domestic worker recruitment to 10 approved countries and banned many others, including Togo, raising concerns for families relying on Gulf jobs. Sports Diplomacy: Former coach Stephen Keshi is set for Nigeria’s NIIA Sports Diplomacy Wall of Fame induction on July 28, with his Togo World Cup coaching legacy highlighted.

Visa-Free Push for Africa: Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé announced visa-free entry for all Africans with valid African passports, allowing up to 30 days—an AfCFTA-style boost for intra-African movement. Border Trade Crackdown & Support: At Aflao, Ghana’s Customs commissioner told cross-border traders to report extortion and use official checkpoints; meanwhile, women traders’ groups warned that unapproved crossings can trigger fines and seizure. Lomé Climate & Security Focus: A Lomé conference on green diplomacy and ESG finance is set for June 30, while UNDP urges Gulf of Guinea security responses rooted in community-led solutions. Ecobank Dividend in Lomé: Ecobank shareholders approved a first dividend since 2022 at its AGM in Lomé, alongside strong 2025 results. Togo Health & Skills: Togo is rolling out AMU health cards nationwide, and NMIMR with JICA is training lab professionals from Togo and other countries to strengthen infectious-disease diagnosis. Sports Spotlight: Togo’s Denkey featured in recent national team coverage as friendly-match updates continue.

Visa-Free Push for AfCFTA Trade: At Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lomé, Togo announced visa-free entry for all Africans with valid African passports for up to 30 days, aiming to boost intra-African movement and trade under AfCFTA. Climate Finance & Green Diplomacy: A Lomé conference on green diplomacy and ESG finance is set for June 30, linking climate action to economic sovereignty, with Togo pointing to its climate law and green budget efforts. Gulf of Guinea Security: UNDP says conflict prevention in the region must be rooted in local communities, citing socioeconomic fragilities behind tensions along the coast. Health Coverage Expansion: Togo’s National Social Security Fund (CNSS) is rolling out Universal Health Insurance (AMU) cards nationwide for eligible retired workers and dependents, with benefits starting January 1, 2026. Banking Milestone: Ecobank shareholders in Lomé approved a $40m dividend for 2025, the first payout since 2022. Cross-Border Trader Warnings: Ghana’s Ketu South traders face heavy fines for using unapproved crossings, with education drives urging compliance at official border posts.

Ecobank Dividend in Lomé: Ecobank shareholders meeting in Lomé approved a final dividend for FY2025, the bank’s first payout since 2022, after reporting record 2025 results. Climate Finance in Lomé: A traveling green diplomacy conference returns to Lomé on June 30 to discuss ESG finance, climate resilience, and how to fund bankable projects for economic development. Gulf of Guinea Security: UNDP is urging a community-led approach to tackle insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea, saying local socioeconomic fragilities fuel the problem. Cross-Border Trade Skills for Women: In Aflao, a workshop trained 300+ women traders on tax compliance and safe, approved procedures for Ghana–Togo frontier trade. Health Coverage for Retirees: Togo’s CNSS launched a nationwide push to issue AMU universal health insurance cards for eligible retired workers and dependents. Border Health Watch for Ebola: Ghana’s deputy health minister flagged PPE and staffing gaps at border posts during Ebola preparedness checks, with Aflao among the sites visited. Togo Aviation & Connectivity: Lomé is also in the spotlight as regional leaders gather around aviation and connectivity themes.

Universal Health Coverage Push: Togo’s CNSS has started issuing AMU health insurance cards nationwide, targeting retired workers and eligible dependents who receive pensions through CNSS-Togo, with registration running until Oct 15, 2025 and benefits effective Jan 1, 2026. Regional Trade & Border Work: NACCIMA led a road trip from Lagos to Lomé to map cross-border bottlenecks for exporters, including delays, multiple checkpoints, and non-tariff barriers. Cross-Border Security: Ghana’s Interior Minister flagged concerns about the Ghana–Togo border’s unofficial routes and called for tighter security collaboration to curb illegal migration and smuggling. Health Regulation in ECOWAS: In Lomé, WA-MRH steering talks approved a 2026–2030 sustainability plan to strengthen regulatory convergence and improve access to quality-assured medicines across ECOWAS. Ecobank Returns: Ecobank shareholders in Lomé approved a $40m dividend payout, marking a return to dividends since 2022.

Ecobank in Lomé: Ecobank Group shareholders approved a $40m dividend for 2025—the first payout since 2022—after record profits and improved efficiency, with the AGM held in Togo’s capital. Digital Governance in Lomé: Togo’s Internet Governance Forum (Togo IGF) is set for June 19, with pre-events for schools and youth, focusing on AI, big data, digital sovereignty, and digital rights. Environment & Jobs: Togo and Team Europe launched a five-year partnership in Sokodé to strengthen protected-area management and build an inclusive green economy, linking conservation to ecotourism, community forestry, and green jobs. Security & Borders: A UN-backed regional dialogue in Lomé launched a Gulf of Guinea Prevention Facility (2026–2029) to coordinate action on violent extremism, trafficking, displacement, and communal tensions across the region. Trade Facilitation: Ghana’s customs chief called for stronger Ghana–Togo customs collaboration at the Aflao border to boost legitimate trade and revenue while cutting harassment.

Togo Border & Security: Ghana’s Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak says the Ghana–Togo border is vulnerable, citing “unofficial routes” and poor lighting that can let passes slip, and calls for tighter security collaboration to curb illegal migration and smuggling. Regional Conflict Prevention: The UN launched a Gulf of Guinea conflict-prevention platform in Lomé, creating a 2026–2029 Prevention Facility focused on governance, civilian protection, and local economic development. ECOWAS Health Regulation: In Lomé, the WA-MRH initiative approved a 2026–2030 sustainability plan to strengthen medicines regulation and improve access to quality-assured drugs across ECOWAS. Finance & Banking: Ecobank shareholders in Lomé approved a $40m dividend payout for 2025, after record profits and improved efficiency. Humanitarian/Training: Biomedical lab scientists from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Zambia are training in modern diagnostics and surveillance for infectious disease outbreaks. Sports (World Cup buzz): FIFA is collecting memorabilia from every 2026 World Cup match to document the tournament’s history.

Security & Borders: Ghana’s Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak flagged serious concerns over the Ghana–Togo border, citing porous areas and unofficial routes that enable illegal migration and smuggling, and called for tighter coordination and better lighting to improve monitoring. Trade Facilitation: Ghana’s Customs acting commissioner Aaron Kanor pushed for stronger Ghana–Togo Customs collaboration at the Aflao border to boost trade facilitation while cracking down on abuses like harassment and extortion. Regional Peacebuilding: The UN launched a Gulf of Guinea Prevention Facility (2026–2029) in Lomé, aiming to coordinate action across five countries—including Togo—on governance, civilian protection, and local economic development to curb violent extremism and trafficking. Finance in Lomé: Ecobank shareholders approved a $40m dividend payout in Lomé, marking the bank’s first dividend since 2022 after record 2025 profits. Digital Policy in Togo: Togo will host its Internet Governance Forum in Lomé on June 19, with sessions on AI, data, digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and youth internet governance.

Human Trafficking Crackdown (Lagos): Nigeria’s NSCDC says it dismantled a suspected cross-border trafficking and illegal detention syndicate in Badagry, Lagos, rescuing 24 victims (including a toddler) and arresting four suspects linked to Togo, Benin and Ghana. Digital Policy in Lomé: Togo will host its 2026 Internet Governance Forum on June 19, with pre-events for students and youth, focusing on digital sovereignty amid AI, big data and geopolitics. Green Economy Partnership: Togo and Team Europe (EU and Luxembourg) launched a five-year programme in Sokodé to strengthen protected-area management and build inclusive, resilient green jobs and value chains. Regional Security Planning (Gulf of Guinea): UN agencies in Lomé launched a Gulf of Guinea Prevention Facility (2026–2029) to coordinate action on governance, civilian protection and local development. Banking Update (Lomé): Ecobank shareholders approved a $40m dividend for 2025 after record profits, and appointed Cathia Lawson Hall to the board. Aviation Spotlight (Lomé): The African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 is set for June 15–19 in Lomé, aiming to boost connectivity and implement the Single African Air Transport Market.

Internet Policy: Togo’s 2026 Internet Governance Forum (Togo IGF) is set for June 19 in Lomé, preceded by training for students and professionals (June 17) and a Youth IGF (June 18), under the theme digital sovereignty in the era of AI and big data. Green Economy: Togo and Team Europe (EU and Luxembourg) launched a five-year protected-areas partnership in Sokodé to boost conservation plus local livelihoods, including ecosystem restoration, climate adaptation, and community-led green jobs. Security & Protection: The UN launched the Gulf of Guinea Prevention Facility (2026-2029) in Lomé to coordinate action across five countries on governance, civilian protection, and local economic development amid rising coastal insecurity. Local Development & Jobs: ADTPME opened applications for support to 50 agro-industrial SMEs under a youth entrepreneurship programme targeting value chains like cassava, rice, shea, cashew, livestock, and aquaculture. Tax Dialogue: OTR set a 2026 revenue target of 1,338.9 billion CFA francs and will host a Lomé debate on whether tax is a civic duty or a source of disillusionment.

Aviation & Trade Integration: Lomé will host the African Air Transport Convention & Expo 2026 (15–19 June), with AFCAC outlining priorities to push the Single African Air Transport Market and aviation integration. AfCFTA Progress Check: Ethiopia and Togo are reviewing AfCFTA bottlenecks under AFIRM, aiming to turn gaps into practical reforms for trade in goods. Visa-Free Push: More African nations are easing travel; Togo and Ghana have already moved to visa-free access for African passport holders, adding momentum to AfCFTA-era mobility. Electricity Access: The AfDB launched a public Mission 300 Progress Tracker (MapAfrica) to monitor electrification projects, including Togo and the CLSG interconnection. Lomé Tax & Revenue: Togo’s Revenue Office sets a 2026 collection target of 1,338.9bn CFA francs and will hold a Lomé forum on tax as civic duty vs disillusionment. Agriculture Jobs: ADTPME opened applications to back 50 agro-industrial SMEs, while Togo’s coffee and cocoa campaign distributed nearly 400,000 seedlings to revive plantations. Ecobank in Lomé: Ecobank shareholders approved a $40m dividend payout in Lomé and cleared changes to its shareholding structure. US Visa Processing Overhaul: The US plans to cut visa-processing sites in Africa to 20 hubs, keeping Lomé as one of them.

Nuclear Safety in Healthcare: Senior health officials from nine African countries, including Togo, met in Nairobi to strengthen rules for the safe use of nuclear and radiation technologies in medicine, with Kenya’s regulator hosting and the IAEA backing an action plan. Border Tensions at Aflao: Aflao’s Paramount Chief rejected claims by Ghana’s Interior Minister about “illegal routes” along the Volta border, warning that blanket accusations unfairly stigmatize border communities. Agribusiness Support: Togo’s ADTPME opened a new call for applications to back 50 agro-industrial SMEs under a youth jobs-focused programme, targeting crops like cassava, cocoa, coffee, and livestock/aquaculture. Coffee & Cocoa Revival: Togo distributed 398,240 seedlings starting June 1—177,200 cocoa and 106,540 coffee—aimed at boosting productivity and resilience. Tax Dialogue in Lomé: The OTR set a 2026 revenue target of 1,338.9 billion CFA francs and is pushing a public debate on whether taxpayers see contributions as civic duty or disillusionment. Aquaculture Financing: AED and the EU launched a 655 million CFA revolving fund to help IFAD-Aquaculture graduates start fish-farming businesses. Ecobank Update: Ecobank shareholders in Lomé approved a $40m dividend for 2025 and regulators cleared Bosquet’s acquisition of Nedbank’s Ecobank stake. US Deportations: The US confirmed deportations of 355 West Africans under its WOW initiative, including 6 Togolese, with names released by DHS.

Right to Information: Transparency International chapters launched a new West Africa research report on access-to-information laws in Liberia, Ghana, Togo and Sierra Leone, praising legal frameworks but flagging real-world implementation gaps for citizens, journalists and civil society. Banking & Trade: Ecobank Transnational Incorporated elected Cathia Lawson-Hall to its board in Lomé (June 3) and shareholders approved a $40m dividend for FY2025, marking a return to dividend payments since 2022. Power & Regional Integration: The World Bank says West Africa’s power integration push is boosting electricity supply and cross-border trade, with thousands of kilometres of transmission lines built across 15 countries including Togo. Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m in equity to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping across Africa, listing active operations in Togo and plans to grow further. Local Development: Lomé hosted the 8th ECOWAS forum of national volunteer agencies (June 2–4), focused on turning knowledge into action for volunteering. Visa Policy Watch: Reports say the US plans to cut routine visa-processing posts in Africa to 20 hubs, with Lomé named among the locations.

ECOWAS Volunteering Forum in Lomé: Lomé hosts the 8th Annual Forum of National Volunteer Agencies in the ECOWAS region (June 2–4) under the theme “From knowledge to action,” bringing together volunteering stakeholders to push practical tools and reliable data. Togolese Digital Education Push: Togo’s Agence Togo Digital (ATD) backed nine edtech startups through an incubation programme, with training in content design, learning systems, accessibility and growth, and plans to showcase at eLearning Africa in Accra. Fest’Immo SolarDayZ Draws Crowds: Togo’s Real Estate and Energy Fair in Lomé closed May 31 with nearly 5,000 visitors and about 60 exhibitors, focusing on “Rethinking Housing in Togo” and sustainable housing plus energy transition. EV Investment for Togo: Pan-African EV firm Spiro secured $215m in equity to expand battery-swapping and manufacturing; it already operates in Togo and plans further growth into new markets. US Visa Processing Overhaul (Lomé Included): The US plans to cut visa-processing posts across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, keeping Lomé as one of the designated locations. Sports—Hearts of Oak in FIFA Threat: Accra’s Hearts of Oak SC faces a FIFA threat over unpaid hotel bills in Togo, with a deadline set for June 5.

U.S. Visa Overhaul for Africa: The State Department plans to cut visa-processing embassies and consulates across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 “hub” cities, with Lomé (Togo) included—meaning applicants from non-hub locations may have to travel for interviews and procedures, expected to start in June. Deportations Update: The U.S. confirmed 355 West Africans facing deportation, including 110 Nigerians—the highest in the region—plus 94 from Liberia, 30 from Ghana, 19 from Senegal, and 6 from Togo, with cases tied to fraud, smuggling and violent crime. Climate Finance for Resilience: The GEF’s LDCF/SCCF council approved new projects worth over $67m (with about $218m co-financing), including support for Togo to cut flood/coastal risks, boost food and water security, and strengthen disaster preparedness. Togo in the Spotlight: Togo is also named among the visa hubs and appears in the deportation list; meanwhile, cross-border trade education near Aflao highlights compliance to avoid penalties and seizures. Energy & Transport: Spiro secured $215m to expand Africa’s electric mobility and battery-swapping network, while Lomé’s port benefits from rerouted shipping after the Strait of Hormuz disruption.