AGP Executive Report

China Partnership: Togo and China have upgraded ties to a “community with a shared future,” with cooperation spanning agriculture, technology and maritime affairs. Trade reached $5.43 billion in 2025, but Lomé faces the challenge of turning closer ties into jobs, investment and skills. Digital Careers: Togo AI Lab is guiding young people toward data and AI jobs through workshops, while Lomé prepares to host an Afric’innov summit on AI and startup support in November. Port and Ocean Strategy: Faure Gnassingbé says Lomé wants more economic value from port activity, not simply higher cargo traffic. Togo has also backed Xiamen’s bid to host the high-seas biodiversity agreement’s secretariat. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama is among five new ECOWAS Court judges; Liberian Justice Charlyne Brumskine was elected court president. Youth Football: Togo lost 1-0 to Ghana in its WAFU U-17 opener and is due to face Benin on Friday.

China Ties: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping agreed to elevate relations to a “community with a shared future,” with China promoting zero-tariff access for Togolese exports and cooperation in digital technology, energy and industrialisation. Ecobank also signed a deal to improve yuan payments between China and Africa. Lomé Port & Oceans: Gnassingbé says Togo wants more local jobs and processing from port activity, not just higher cargo volumes. Togo also backed Xiamen’s bid to host the high-seas biodiversity treaty secretariat. Regional Trade: Togo is working with the Sahel states on customs links to secure goods in transit, with Lomé a key starting point for shipments to the region. Development Finance: A Togolese delegation is at the IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok, seeking support for development priorities amid tight financing conditions. Mental Health: A study of 576 women in Togo found 30% would first turn to a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% would approach a health professional.

China-Togo Relations: Faure Gnassingbé met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, where the two leaders announced a “community with a shared future” for a new era. Maritime Safety: New drone attacks off Bulgaria sank a merchant ship and left 11 sailors missing; authorities suspect Russian involvement but say they have no conclusive proof. The strikes follow last week’s sinking of the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan, whose crew was reported missing. Mental Health: A study of 576 women in Togo found 30% would first seek support from a hairdresser, while fewer than 1% would turn first to a health professional.

Black Sea Tragedy: Bulgaria has asked the EU and NATO for help investigating drone strikes that sank the Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan. Its 12 crew members remain missing. China Ties: President Faure Gnassingbé says China could help Togo and Africa strengthen maritime security, port logistics and the blue economy. During his visit, Lomé-based Ecobank also signed a deal to expand yuan payments between African businesses and China. Lomé Infrastructure: A tunnelling machine has begun work on a 7.5-kilometre underground drainage network expected to benefit about 230,000 residents and reduce flood disruption. Mobile Money: From November 2, verified users in the West African Monetary Union can hold up to CFAF 4 million with one e-money provider, double the previous cap. Regional Energy: WAPP board members re-elected TCN chief Sule Abdulaziz as chair at a meeting in Lomé, urging stronger funding and frameworks for regional electricity integration. Women’s Wellbeing: A study finds 11% of surveyed Togolese women turn first to hairdressers for personal support, highlighting their potential role in connecting clients to mental-health care.

Flood Control: Lomé has begun underground tunnelling for a 7.5-kilometre drainage network expected to protect about 230,000 residents from flooding. China Partnership: During Faure Gnassingbé’s China visit, Ecobank signed a deal to improve yuan payments between China and Africa, while talks explored agricultural technology. The trip has renewed questions about whether investment will deliver jobs and services in Togo. Mobile Money: From November 2, verified users in Togo and other WAEMU countries can hold up to CFAF 4 million per issuer, double the current limit; monthly deposits rise to CFAF 15 million. Energy: Togo plans a solar plant near Nangbéto, with capacity of up to 110 megawatts. Women’s Health: A new study highlights hairdressers’ role as trusted confidantes, as Togo has fewer than 10 licensed psychiatrists for over eight million people. Football: Togo’s U-17 side opened its WAFU Zone B campaign with a 1-0 loss to Ghana in Burkina Faso.

Youth Football: Togo opened its WAFU Zone B U-17 campaign with a 1-0 loss to Ghana in Ouagadougou. The Young Sparrowhawks next face Benin on October 16 as they chase a place at the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Energy: Togo plans a solar plant of up to 110 megawatts at Nangbéto, part of a wider 400-megawatt renewable energy programme. The West Africa Power Pool, meeting in Lomé, also re-elected Nigeria’s Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz as board chair for three years. Agriculture: Faure Gnassingbé’s China visit included a tour of Shaanxi’s smart-farming projects, as Togo explores water-saving technology and weighs how the model could benefit local farmers. Trade: A Lomé workshop trained local small businesses on AfCFTA rules, including how to qualify for tariff preferences and expand exports. Higher Education: The University of Lomé and Germany’s University of Rostock are launching a double-degree master’s programme in bioenergy, biofuels and green hydrogen.

U-17 Football: Togo lost 1-0 to Ghana in their opening WAFU Zone B match in Burkina Faso. David Kwarteng scored in the seventh minute; Ghana’s Abdul Latif Wunzalgu was named player of the match. China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé toured Shaanxi’s smart-agriculture projects, including a demonstration base and apple orchard, as Togo explores farming and water-saving technologies. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Community Court judges, with a four-year term. Trade: A Lomé workshop trained 50 small businesses on AfCFTA trade rules and export opportunities. Women’s Wellbeing: A study of 576 women in Togo found 30% turn first to a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% initially seek help from a health professional. Higher Education: The University of Lomé and Germany’s University of Rostock agreed to launch a double-degree master’s programme in bioenergy, biofuels and green hydrogen.

Youth Football: Togo opened its WAFU Zone B U-17 campaign with a 1-0 loss to Ghana in Ouagadougou. David Kwarteng scored in the seventh minute; Togo now need a result in their remaining Group A games to stay in contention for the 2027 U-17 AFCON. China Visit: Council of Ministers President Faure Gnassingbé is in China until October 16 for his seventh official visit, with talks focused on strengthening ties between the two countries. Higher Education: Togo’s universities are being urged to align courses more closely with jobs, pool research resources and focus on national needs, including local-language AI. Mental Health: A study of women in Togo found 30% first turn to a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% name a health professional—pointing to a trust gap in access to care. Environment: Togo is preparing a national database to track forest restoration and identify degraded land, supporting its goal of restoring 1.4 million hectares by 2030.

Youth Football: Togo meet Ghana today at 18:00 GMT in Ouagadougou, opening their WAFU Zone B U-17 campaign and bid for a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé is in China until October 16 for his seventh official visit, with meetings planned with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Higher Education: Togo’s priorities for the new academic year include linking university courses to job prospects and strengthening research in areas such as climate-resilient agriculture and artificial intelligence. Mental Health: A study of 576 women found 30% first turn to a hairdresser when facing difficulties, while fewer than 1% initially seek help from a health professional. Environment: Togo is preparing a national database to track forest restoration, supporting its goal of restoring 1.4 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. Economy: Moody’s has given Togo a positive outlook, citing improving regional conditions; this is not a credit-rating upgrade.

Youth Football: Togo face Ghana in their opening match at the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship in Ouagadougou today, with kick-off set for 18:00 GMT. Ghana’s coach says his side is ready, setting up a tough start for the young Togolese team. Diplomacy: Council of Ministers President Faure Gnassingbé arrived in China for a visit running through October 16, his seventh official trip there. Togo–Russia Ties: Lomé and Moscow have identified cooperation priorities in energy, transport, agriculture and industry, and signed two memorandums of understanding. Maritime Safety: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone on October 6. Its 10 crew members remain missing, and Syria is seeking an independent investigation. Economy: Moody’s has given Togo a positive sovereign outlook, citing regional reforms and stronger commodity prices, while warning that the outlook does not guarantee lower borrowing costs. Digital Services: Togo is gathering local-language recordings and translations to help train AI models for the country’s 50 languages.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé arrived in Xi’an for a weeklong official visit, his seventh to China, with talks expected to deepen ties and cooperation. Black Sea Shipwreck: Syria is seeking an independent investigation into the sinking of the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan in Bulgaria’s waters on October 6. The fate of its 10 crew members remains unknown after the search was halted. Credit Outlook: Moody’s gave Togo a positive sovereign outlook, citing regional reforms and stronger commodity prices, while warning that the assessment is not a credit-rating upgrade. Digital Services: Togo launched a pilot to gather local-language recordings, texts and translations for AI tools, starting with Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba to improve access to public services. Energy Reform: The government is moving to open the electricity market further to private investors. Jobs and Sport: Lomé-based ASKY and UNHCR have launched a three-year partnership to expand refugee access to training, jobs and entrepreneurship, including in Togo. The national U-17 team faces Ghana in its WAFU Zone B opener on Saturday.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé begins an official visit to China today, his seventh, with meetings planned with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang through October 16. Maritime Safety: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone strike in Bulgaria’s Black Sea waters. Its 10 crew members remain missing after search operations ended; Syria has called for an independent investigation. Digital Services: Togo has launched a month-long pilot to gather Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba texts, recordings and translations to train AI for local-language public services. Economy: Moody’s named Togo among eight sub-Saharan African countries with a positive credit outlook, while warning that debt costs and weak revenue remain risks. Togo is also moving to open its electricity market further to private investors. Football: Togo face Ghana in their WAFU Zone B U-17 opener in Ouagadougou on Saturday. In U-23 qualifying, Libya eliminated Togo 4-1 on aggregate and will meet Ghana next.

Digital Services: Togo has launched a one-month challenge to gather texts, recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba, helping train AI for future public services in local languages. Energy Reform: The Cabinet has approved a bill to open more of the electricity market to private investment, including grid access for independent producers and businesses that generate their own power. Maritime Safety: A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after a drone attack off Bulgaria. Ten crew members are missing, and rescuers have ended their search without finding survivors. Diplomacy: President Faure Gnassingbé is due to visit China from October 9 to 16. Economy: Moody’s has turned its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa positive, listing Togo among eight countries with positive outlooks while warning that debt costs and climate risks remain challenges. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama has been sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges. Animal Health: ECOWAS experts meeting in Lomé are working to strengthen regional surveillance and control of diseases that threaten livestock and food security.

Maritime Safety: Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Its crew remained missing when the search ended; the perpetrators have not been confirmed. India condemned the attacks on commercial shipping. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges for a four-year term. Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged the judges to uphold independence and integrity. Urban Development: Togo created SONADU by merging two public agencies to coordinate urban planning, housing and infrastructure. Economic Reforms: The government approved a draft law to open the electricity network further to private investment and plans to raise annual tax revenue to CFAF 2.1 trillion by 2031. A new decree also provides faster processing for some business visas. Football: Togo will host Algeria on November 17 in an AFCON 2027 qualifier, after the teams meet in Algeria on November 14.

Black Sea Shipping: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Its crew’s fate remains unknown, and Bulgarian authorities have ended their search. Energy Cooperation: Lomé is hosting an ECOWAS workshop where experts from 12 countries are validating 2023–24 energy-efficiency data to guide regional planning and investment. Regional Justice: Togo’s Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new judges of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice. The judges were urged to uphold impartiality and public trust. Youth Football: Togo is among seven countries competing in the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship, which begins in Burkina Faso on October 10.

Black Sea Security: Drones hit two merchant ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone early Tuesday, with the Togolese-flagged Alfa Watan sinking and its crew still missing, while the Palau-flagged Able caught fire but 18 sailors were rescued; Bulgaria says it’s a “blatant violation of international law,” Ukraine blames Russia, and a major search-and-rescue operation is ongoing about 70–80 nautical miles off Byala. Regional Justice: ECOWAS swore in five new judges for the Community Court of Justice, including Dr Yaouza Ouro-Sama of Togo, for a four-year non-renewable term. Togo Development & Housing: Togo marked World Habitat Day by highlighting two decades of land and urban planning reforms, including stronger land tenure rules and digitized building permit procedures. Refugee Jobs in Lomé: ASKY and UNHCR signed a three-year partnership in Lomé to expand training, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities for refugees across West and Central Africa, with an initial focus on Togo and five other countries. Togo in the Spotlight: Togo also marked 20 years of land, building permit, and urban planning reforms.