AGP Executive Report

Commercial Justice Reform: Togo’s Cabinet has approved a bill to modernize commercial courts, adding digital procedures (electronic decisions and videoconference hearings), tighter deadlines, and a new insolvency chamber to speed up business disputes. Public Finance Push: The government also adopted a bill to create a Caisse des dépôts et consignations (Deposits and Consignments Fund) to mobilize domestic savings and channel them into long-term development projects. Biodiversity Funding Plan: In Lomé, government and partners are reviewing Togo’s biodiversity financing framework under UNDP’s BIOFIN initiative, aiming to validate financing mechanisms and shape a national biodiversity finance plan. Electricity Outlook: CEET projects Togo’s electricity demand will rise about 32% by 2030, driven by grid connections, industry, and the Adétikopé Industrial Platform. Trade & Industry: PIA exports hit 210,000 garments to the U.S. in 2025, while construction contractors warn against fraudulent bid documents amid tougher procurement sanctions. Mobile Money Update: Moov Africa Togo is expanding Moov Money with insurance and gift card services. Sports (Lomé): CAF appointed Togolese Aissata Ameyo as match commissioner for Benin vs Nigeria’s Flamingos U-17 Women’s qualifier in Lomé.

Energy Security in Focus: African leaders meeting in Lomé warned the Middle East crisis exposed the continent’s dependence on external energy and called for stronger energy sovereignty and early warning systems. Diplomatic Updates: Angola’s ambassador to Togo, Rui Orlando Xavier, presented letters of credence in Lomé, formally starting his duties and signaling interest in expanding ties beyond low trade levels. Togo Governance & Courts: Togo approved reforms to modernize commercial courts with digital procedures, faster deadlines, and a specialized insolvency chamber, plus a plan to create a Deposits and Consignments Fund to mobilize long-term domestic financing. Biodiversity Financing: Togo began reviewing its biodiversity financing framework with UNDP BIOFIN to validate policy and institutional gaps and shape a national biodiversity finance plan. Sports (U-17): CAF appointed a Ugandan referee for Benin vs Nigeria’s Flamingos in Lomé, where Nigeria holds a 3-2 first-leg edge ahead of Saturday’s decisive return. Maritime Risk: A Financial Times probe says Taiwan’s shadow-ship blacklist includes vessels linked to networks tied to North Korea smuggling, with some ships registered in places including Togo. Tech & Learning in Lomé: A Lomé summer camp is teaching children to code, build robots, and explore AI.

Judicial & Business Reform: Togo has approved a bill to modernize its commercial courts, adding digital procedures, tighter deadlines, videoconference hearings, and a new insolvency chamber to speed up cases and protect jobs. Public Finance Push: The government also adopted a bill to create a Deposits and Consignments Fund (CDC), meant to mobilize domestic savings and channel them into long-term financing for major development projects. Disaster & Humanitarian Response: After late June floods in Greater Lomé, civil protection partners reviewed needs for about CFA304.86 million, with priority on emergency food and essential non-food items; 23,000+ people were affected. Trade & Market Oversight: Togo began deploying 191 electronic scales in markets to standardize weighing and reduce disputes, aligning with WAEMU metrology rules. Environment Financing: A Lomé workshop launched the first step toward a national biodiversity financing plan, reviewing policy, institutions, and financing mechanisms with UNDP support. Sports (Regional): Nigeria’s U-17 Women’s “Flamingos” arrived in Lomé for the Benin return leg, aiming to protect a 3-2 aggregate lead at Stade de Kégué.

Security Watch: Switzerland’s outgoing ambassador to Ghana, Benin and Togo, Simone Giger, urged coastal states to stay vigilant as Sahel-linked violent extremism spreads, pointing to rising risks in Benin and Togo. Flood Response in Greater Lomé: After June 29–30 heavy rains, Togo’s civil protection authorities estimate humanitarian needs at CFA 304.86 million for affected communities, with reports of deaths, injuries, collapsed homes, and damage to schools and churches. Trade & Market Integrity: Togo has started deploying 191 electronic scales in markets to standardize weighing and reduce disputes, aligning with WAEMU metrology rules. Digital & AI Push: Lomé is hosting the Compliance and Risk Officers Summit on using AI to fight fraud and money laundering, while Togo also launched a project to build AI models for 50 national languages. Economy & Business: The Made in Togo trade fair opened in Lomé with a focus on sales revenue, and Togo–Israel signed a memorandum to institutionalize regular political consultations. Health: Togo began a pilot phase of its national rabies elimination strategy using a One Health approach.

AI & Languages: Togo has launched a national project to build open-source AI models for 50 local languages, aiming to collect validated speech and translated sentence pairs and run competitions on Zindi. Public Health: Togo also began a pilot phase of its national rabies elimination strategy in the Plateaux region, using a One Health approach to boost surveillance, vaccination, bite prevention and faster treatment. Digital Finance: Moov Africa Togo rolled out “Soyi Mavo” in Lomé, expanding Moov Money with services like insurance premium payments, digital withdrawal-card transfers and gift cards. Economy & Governance: Togo’s business registrations rebounded in H1 2026 with 8,129 new firms, while officials marked International Archives Day to strengthen record-keeping for transparency and e-government. Water & Climate Resilience: Central Region launched an Integrated Water Resources Management program to map water use and governance and improve resilience to climate change. Regional Energy: Nigeria’s electricity regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $12.66m for Q1 2026 power supply. Sports (Regional): Nigeria’s Flamingos travel to Lomé for the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier second leg against Benin after a 3-2 first-leg win.

ECOWAS Finance Boost: Lomé-based EBID approved over $417m for West Africa projects, including a $260m Trans-Saharan Highway stretch in Nigeria, as it targets doubling its balance sheet to close a $36bn infrastructure gap. Electricity Debt Watch: Nigeria’s regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe $12.66m for Q1 2026 power supply, with only about 27.6% of the international bill paid so far. Customs Integrity in Focus: Ghana’s GRA says it interdicted four customs officers over an attempted diversion of 18 transit trucks declared from Togo to Niger, and later handed the confiscated goods to the School Feeding Programme after fraud was found. Togo Governance & Services: Togo marked International Archives Day in Lomé, pushing stronger records management for transparency and e-government. Water Planning: Central Region launched a 2026–2027 water resources assessment (nearly CFA100m) to build a regional water governance strategy. Business Climate: Togo registered 8,129 new businesses in H1 2026, up 25.9% year-on-year, with women owning about 28% of new firms.

Customs Crackdown in Ghana (Transit Food Diversion): Ghana’s Revenue Authority (GRA) says it has confiscated 18 truckloads of transit cargo—declared from Togo to Niger but suspected to be diverted into Ghana—and has allocated them to the National School Feeding Programme. Accountability at the Border: The GRA also interdicted four customs officers over the alleged diversion, citing documentation fraud, under-declaration, and possible identity issues. Togo Governance & Records: In Lomé, public officials and archivists marked International Archives Day, pushing stronger archives management to boost transparency, protect rights, and support Togo’s digital transformation. Business Climate Watch: Togo recorded 8,129 new business registrations in H1 2026, up 25.9% year-on-year, signaling a rebound after two years of decline. Water Planning in Central Togo: The Central Region launched a nearly CFA100 million Integrated Water Resources Management assessment (2026–2027) to build a regional water strategy and improve climate resilience. Regional Finance & Infrastructure: Businesses raised domestic debt concerns in talks with government, while Togo’s telecom and civil protection leadership updates continued to draw attention.

AfCFTA Push on Travel: AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene urged African governments to adopt visa-on-arrival for all Africans, saying slow progress on free movement is holding back trade and investment. Roads for Trade: In Ghana’s Oti Region, rehabilitation is underway on the Nkwanta–Dadiase feeder road to improve access for farmers and traders, with hopes of extending the link toward the border post. Togo Economy Data: Togo is set to rebase GDP by end-2026, using the new base year drawn from RGPH-5 data to better reflect undercounted economic activity. Electricity Debt: Togo, Benin and Niger reportedly failed to pay $12.66m of an issued $17.48m electricity bill in Q1 2026, according to Nigeria’s NERC. Humanitarian Training in West Africa: KAIPTC in Accra opened the HAWA Core Course 2026, calling for stronger regional cooperation and climate-responsive humanitarian systems. Youth Support in Central Togo: Plan International Togo launched the OSEER II project in Sokodé with CFA548.9m to support 1,487 vulnerable youth (70% women) through training and inclusion efforts.

Togo’s Economic Planning: Togo will rebase its GDP by end-2026, updating the base year to better reflect economic activity, with the new revision expected to use RGPH-5 census data. Youth & Jobs: Plan International Togo launched OSEER II in Sokodé with CFA548.9 million to support 1,487 young people (70% women) through vocational training and sustainable opportunities over three years. Central Banking Leadership: Veteran banker Ekoué Djro Glokpor was named BCEAO national director for Togo, as authorities push stronger financing for MSMEs, agriculture, and housing. Regional Diplomacy: In Lomé, African and Middle East partners met on the Middle East crisis’s impact, urging stronger energy, food, and economic resilience and faster AfCFTA implementation. Humanitarian Preparedness: KAIPTC opened the HAWA Core Course 2026 in Accra, calling for climate-responsive humanitarian systems and deeper West African cooperation. Sports (Togolese link): Wisdom Amey, of Togolese heritage, reportedly agreed a season-long loan move from Bologna to Frosinone.

Togo Aviation & Connectivity: Togo is pushing to attract new airlines by making deep cuts to airline market entry fees, and ECOWAS is taking another step toward lower airfares at a Lomé meeting—moves that could boost travel links for the country. Togo Economy & Agriculture: Togo is tapping regenerative farming to build a more resilient cotton sector, while also making deep cuts to airline entry fees and reviewing green budget implementation. Togo Governance & Finance: Togo has inducted 1,205 civil servants for the Finance Ministry, and the IMF has approved $109.5m for Togo while urging faster economic reforms. Regional Sports (Lomé next): Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Benin 3-2 in the first leg of the U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifier; the return leg is set for Stade de Kégué in Lomé next weekend. Health & Skills: Eight lab professionals from Togo and other countries completed a JICA-NMIMR infectious disease training course in Ghana, strengthening regional lab capacity.

G16 Counter-Terrorism Due Process: Civic groups under the G16 Regional Security Advocacy Group urged Mali to freeze assets of 12 suspected financiers only with clear legal grounds, independent review, and fair appeals—warning against disproportionate harm to journalists, lawyers, and civil society. Togo Aviation Push: Togo cut airline market entry fees from CFA200m to CFA3.5m to attract more carriers and drive down ticket costs, as regulators meet in Lomé under ECOWAS reforms aimed at lowering air travel charges. ECOWAS Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS distributed assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, with Togo participating in the first phase after nearly two years of planning. Regional Health Training: Eight lab professionals from Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia completed a JICA-NMIMR infectious-disease lab skills course in Parasitology, Virology and Bacteriology. Sports—U-17 WWCQ: Nigeria’s Flamingos beat Benin 3-2 in the first leg; the return is set for Lomé at Stade de Kégué on July 11. Diplomacy: Australia appointed career diplomat Keara Shaw as High Commissioner to Ghana with non-resident accreditation including Togo.

Togo Aviation Reform: Togo cut airline market entry fees from CFA200 million to CFA3.5 million to attract more carriers and drive down ticket costs, as regulators meet in Lomé under ECOWAS air transport reforms. Regional Diplomacy: Togo’s Faure Gnassingbé urged African states to strengthen resilience and coordination against spillovers from the Middle East crisis, calling for energy diversification, food security and better forecasting. Climate & Farming: Togo launched a three-year regenerative farming push for cotton to cut emissions, restore soils and boost yields, targeting nearly 23,850 farmers. Income Milestone: The World Bank upgraded Togo into the lower-middle-income group, a shift tied to growth and updated population data. Disability Inclusion (ECOWAS): ECOWAS handed assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, with Togo included in the first phase of the regional programme. Sports (Togo-linked): Togo striker Thibault Klidje scored twice as Hibernian beat Cliftonville 5-1 in a friendly.

MSME & Entrepreneurship: Togo’s Di-Kéti forum in Lomé says MSMEs need more than financing—quality standards and professional management are key to long-term growth, with investors urging entrepreneurs to build from the start with compliance in mind. Aviation & Airfares: Togo cut airline market entry fees from CFA200m to CFA3.5m to attract more carriers, aiming to boost competition and lower ticket costs across the region. Cotton & Climate Resilience: Togo’s New Cotton Company launched a three-year regenerative farming program to protect soils, cut emissions, and raise yields, targeting thousands of cotton growers. Regional Diplomacy: President Faure Gnassingbé urged African states to strengthen resilience and coordination against spillovers from the Middle East crisis, including energy and food security. Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS advanced disability inclusion with assistive devices for children in Nigeria, with Togo included in the first phase. Sports (Togo-linked): Togo striker Thibault Klidje scored twice as Hibernian beat Cliftonville 5-1 in a friendly.

Middle East Spillover: Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé urged African states to boost resilience and coordination as the Middle East crisis drives up energy prices, disrupts supply chains, raises shipping costs, and increases security risks, calling for energy diversification, stronger food security, and better forecasting. Air Transport Reform: Togo cut airline market entry fees from CFA200m to CFA3.5m to attract new carriers, while ECOWAS is pushing to lower airfares across the region after reforms took effect in 2026. Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS distributed assistive devices to children with disabilities in Nigeria, with Togo included in the first phase after nearly two years of planning. Climate & Agriculture: Togo launched a regenerative farming push for cotton to cut emissions, restore soils, and improve water management, aiming to reach thousands of farmers. Hidden Hunger: A continent-wide nutrition warning highlights “hidden hunger” from micronutrient deficiencies that don’t look like famine but still damage learning and productivity. Regional Energy Debt: Togo, Benin, and Niger reportedly owe Nigeria about N17.45bn for power supplied in early 2026, worsening liquidity pressures.

Electricity Debt Watch: Togo, Benin and Niger still owe Nigeria about N17.45bn for power supplied in 2026 Q1, with only 27.57% of billed amounts paid—fueling recurring liquidity stress in the regional power sector. ECOWAS Disability Inclusion: ECOWAS expands its disability inclusion push with assistive devices for children in Nigeria, with Togo included in the first phase after months of planning. Flood Response Across West Africa: Heavy rains and flooding continue to hit the region, with Ghana reporting deaths and missing persons and authorities warning the crisis could worsen; Togo and neighbors are also monitoring rising water levels. Togo Public Service Boost: Togo inducted 1,205 new civil servants in Lomé for the Finance and Economy ministries, stressing integrity and better management of public resources. Climate Finance Reaches the Region: The Green Climate Fund approved $190m in new projects for Tajikistan, including water and resilience measures—part of a wider GCF package that also lists Togo among participating countries. Business & Governance: Deloitte appointed Togolese executive Kodjo Akpatigbe as Managing Partner for Togo and Benin, as the firm expands compliance and advisory services.

Aviation & Tourism Spotlight: Ethiopian Airlines won the “Connectivity Award” at the 2026 Aviation & Tourism Awards, praising its network expansion and passenger experience. Togo’s Industry Push: CIMTOGO rebranded Super Rapide cement as ECOCIM, a lower-carbon option that cuts CO2 per ton and aligns with Togo’s new cement standard. Income-Class Update (Regional): The World Bank Group upgraded several countries’ income levels; notably, Togo moved from low-income to lower-middle-income, while others like Vietnam and the Philippines advanced to upper-middle-income. Public Finance & Capacity: Togo inducted 1,205 new civil servants for the Finance and Economy ministries, as part of efforts to strengthen state capacity and public finance management. Governance & Cooperation: Togo deepened constitutional and parliamentary ties with Gabon and Chad, focusing on court cooperation, legislative dialogue, and rule-of-law support. Local Development Partnerships: Avé 2 and Montpellier are laying groundwork for decentralized cooperation on sanitation, climate action, village electrification via solar, and agro-pastoral development. Security & Trade (Togo-linked): Somali pirates renewed pressure in the Gulf of Aden, holding the Togo-flagged tanker Eureka and demanding $10 million for release.