AGP Executive Report

UN Map Vote for Africa’s True Size: Togo-backed “Correct the Map” resolution won UN General Assembly support (164-1) to encourage use of the Equal Earth equal-area projection in education and public information, while stressing it doesn’t replace Mercator for navigation. Labor & Finance for Industry: Ecobank Togo says PPP bankability hinges on predictable cash flows, not just project design, as PPPs often run 10–20 years. Agro-Exports: Togo’s coffee and cocoa exports fell sharply in 2025-2026 (coffee down 40.9%, cocoa down 62.9%) despite higher production, with unregistered operators, smuggling and new EU requirements blamed. Agroecology Funding: ECOWAS launched a €20m regional agroecology innovation push in Lomé, with Togo set to participate in multiple projects. Energy Trade Linkages: Nigeria’s electricity customers including Togo and Benin reportedly owe $28.33m (N37.44bn) for ancillary services, highlighting cross-border power market arrears. Women-Led SMEs via Digital Finance: AXIAN and AfDB backed a programme for 34,000 women-led businesses using mobile money and digital lending, with Togo included in training components.

Agro-Exports Watch: Togo’s coffee and cocoa exports slid in the 2025-2026 season despite higher output, with coffee exports down 40.9% year-on-year (to 2,600 tons) and cocoa exports down 62.9% (to 8,900 tons), as the sector faces unregistered operators, smuggling risks and new European requirements—pushing plans for better quality, traceability and standards. Regional Agritech Funding: Lomé hosted the launch of ECOWAS’ €20m West Africa Agroecological Innovation Promotion Project (PIA-AO), with Togo involved in three projects, aiming to scale climate-smart farm practices through support for farmer groups, NGOs, researchers and private actors. Women’s Finance & Digital Inclusion: AXIAN and the AfDB rolled out a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses across five countries, using mobile money and digital lending plus training—Togo included in the wider skills component. UN Cartography Push (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push to promote the Equal Earth projection over Mercator for more accurate representation of Africa’s size, with ITUC-Africa praising Togo’s leadership; the resolution is non-binding and does not affect navigation use of Mercator.

UN Cartography Push: Togo led the UN General Assembly’s “Correct the Map” vote backing the Equal Earth projection to portray Africa’s true size more fairly, passing 164-1 (with the US the lone no) and encouraging schools, governments and tech platforms to update geography materials—Togo says the change is about correcting perceptions, not borders. Quality for Industry: Togo’s High Authority for Quality and the Environment (HAUQE) held talks under the Q-Boost program to help SMEs adopt ISO 9001-style quality management systems, aiming to improve traceability and market access. Agri Modernization: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa says mechanization investments will only lift smallholder productivity if service centers and organization models match farm sizes and if women farmers gain better access to land, finance and technology. Women’s Finance & Digital Inclusion: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance push for 34,000 women-led businesses, using mobile money platforms (Mixx/MVola) plus lending, literacy and skills training, with a training arm reaching women in Togo too. PPP Pipeline: Togo launched a Public-Private Partnership Club in Lomé to structure and prepare PPP projects, bringing together ministries, local authorities, banks, investors and advisors to speed up project development and financing.

UN Cartography Push: Togo led an African Union-backed UN General Assembly vote (164-1) to move schools, governments and tech platforms toward the Equal Earth map projection, arguing Mercator has long distorted Africa’s size; the resolution is non-binding and doesn’t restrict Mercator use for navigation. Women’s Digital Finance: AXIAN Group and the AfDB launched a programme for 34,000 women-led businesses across Madagascar, Tanzania, Senegal and Togo/Comoros, using mobile money (Mixx/MVola) for digital lending, alternative credit scoring, and training to close a reported $49bn financing gap. Quality for SMEs: Togo’s HAUQE held talks under the Q-Boost programme to help SMEs adopt ISO 9001-style quality management systems and improve market access. Agri Modernisation Focus: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa says mechanisation investments need service-centre models that fit small farms, plus better access to land, finance and technology for women farmers. Entertainment Industry: Masina Ategou was named Best Promoter of the Year 2026 at the Togo Show Business Awards for work supporting Togolese artists through Façonné Music.

UN Cartography Push: Togo led a UN General Assembly vote (164-1, 6 abstentions) to move away from the Mercator projection toward Equal Earth, aiming to show Africa’s true size more fairly; Togo also plans to update school map materials this year. SME Quality Upgrade: Togo’s HAUQE reviewed its Q-Boost programme to help businesses adopt ISO 9001-style quality management systems and improve market access. Women’s Finance Boost: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance push for 34,000 women-led businesses, with training and access to digital financial products via Mixx and MVola, including a Togo-linked capacity-building component. Agri Modernization Focus: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa said mechanization needs service centers and better land, financing and tech access for women farmers to translate investment into real productivity gains. Investment Pipeline: Togo launched a Public-Private Partnership Club in Lomé to help structure and finance PPP projects. Regional Trade & Industry: Togo also stepped up bilateral outreach with Asian and Eurasian partners (agro-industry, mechanization, mining, banking) to diversify investment ties. Energy Sector Context (Region): Nigeria’s power operator NDPHC flagged suppressed dispatch and large revenue losses, while discussing renewable-focused NIPP Phase 2 for Northern Nigeria. Health & Pharma (Region): WHO-backed efforts to expand hydroxyurea access are increasingly tied to local pharmaceutical production across Africa.

Agribusiness Modernization: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa says mechanization investments only pay off if service centers manage equipment for small farms, while reforestation monitoring and reforms are needed to improve women farmers’ access to land, financing and technology. Quality for Market Access: Togo’s HAUQE reviewed its Q-Boost program with SMEs and partners, aiming to embed ISO 9001 quality management systems and speed up international certification to unlock better market opportunities. Investment Pipeline: Togo launched a Public-Private Partnership Club in Lomé to help structure and finance PPP projects, bringing together ministries, local authorities, banks, investors and technical advisors. Trade Diversification: On the sidelines of SCO+ in Bishkek, Togo pushed new ties with Vietnam, Belarus and Cambodia, targeting agriculture, agro-industry, mechanization, mining and banking. Agro-Exports: Togo Soja shipped its first processed shea butter export from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, reinforcing the push to process more locally before exporting. SME Sales Boost: The Made in Togo Fair returned to Aného for its second stop, linking local producers with distributors and new buyers through a business-focused marketplace. Cartographic Justice with Togo at the Lead: The UN backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push to replace Mercator with Equal Earth, a move aimed at showing Africa’s true size more fairly in schools and tech. Regional Context: Nigeria’s power sector headlines included NDPHC reporting major revenue losses from suppressed dispatch and calling for settlement of large unpaid electricity market liabilities.

Cartographic Justice at the UN: The UN General Assembly backed Africa’s push for more accurate world maps, voting 164-1 to support the Equal Earth projection over Mercator—Togo’s foreign minister said maps shape education and perceptions. SME Quality Push in Togo: HAUQE’s Q-Boost program is helping micro, small and medium firms adopt ISO 9001-style quality management, with training, certification support and help to meet market requirements. Togo’s Investment Drive via PPP Club: Lomé launched a Public-Private Partnership Club to connect government, local authorities, banks, investors and advisors, aiming to better structure and finance PPP projects. Trade and Industry Moves: Togo Soja shipped its first processed shea butter export from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, while the Made in Togo Fair returned to Aného to link local producers with distributors and new markets. Regional Business Links: Togo expanded ties with Asian and Eurasian partners around the SCO+ summit, including talks with Vietnam, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Cambodia.

Quality & SME Growth: Togo’s High Authority for Quality and the Environment (HAUQE) met Lomé business groups under the Q-Boost program to help micro, small and medium firms build ISO 9001-style quality management systems, with training, certification support and help meeting market requirements. Investment Pipeline: Togo launched a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Club in Lomé to connect government, local authorities, banks, investors and advisers, aiming to better structure PPP projects and unlock financing. Trade & Diplomacy for Industry: On the sidelines of the SCO+ summit in Bishkek, Togo pushed new bilateral ties with Vietnam, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan, and held its first consultations with Cambodia, targeting agriculture, agro-industry, mining, banking and the digital economy. Agro-Processing Exports: Togo Soja at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped its first 2026 export batch of processed shea butter, as Togo continues shifting value-add processing before export. Local Market Access: The Made in Togo Fair returned to Aného for a second stop, running Sept. 2–6, to connect producers with distributors and customers across food, handicrafts and locally processed goods. Regional Food Security Angle: West Africa’s rice self-sufficiency push got a boost at the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, with calls for stronger cross-border coordination across farmers and businesses.

Power Market Pressure: Nigeria’s Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) says it faces over N300bn in stranded capacity losses and more than N400bn in unpaid liabilities owed by NBET, Discos and other market players, urging lawmakers and regulators to force settlement. Renewables Push: NDPHC also outlined NIPP Phase 2 plans to expand solar and mini-hydro and use off-grid solutions to close supply gaps, especially in northern Nigeria. Togo Trade & Agro-Industry: Togo’s Made in Togo Fair moved to Aného for its second stop, spotlighting local producers and new business links. Value-Chain Exports: Togo Soja shipped its first processed shea butter export from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, reinforcing government efforts to tax raw exports and boost local processing. Transit Security Tech: Togo’s tax authority launched electronic tracking for petroleum transit cargo to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, extending the SESS system with specialized devices. Digital Agriculture: A Chad delegation visited Lomé to study Togo’s digital farming tools, including climate and agrometeorological platforms. Banking Hub: Lomé dominates WAEMU banking holding-company assets, with four Togolese groups holding CFAF 24.13tn (40% of the regional total). Economic Growth: Togo reported 3.8% GDP growth in Q1 2026, led by manufacturing (textiles, construction, chemicals) and transport/logistics tied to Port of Lomé.

Agri-Processing Exports: Togo Soja at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform (PIA) shipped its first 2026 batch of processed shea butter for export, signaling the push to move more value-added agricultural output before it leaves the country. Industrial Trade Promotion: The “Made in Togo Fair” landed in Aného for its second stop, running Sept. 2–6, to connect local producers with distributors and new markets, with the event also boosted by Epé-Ekpé festivities. Transit Oversight for Petroleum: Togo’s tax authority (OTR) launched a pilot using electronic tracking devices for petroleum transit trucks heading to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, expanding the SESS system to better monitor routes and cargo compliance. Digital Agriculture Knowledge Transfer: A Chad delegation visited Lomé to study Togo’s digital farming tools (SIHAM, TG-ALERTE+ and e-Agri conseil), focusing on weather and climate data services that support planning and risk management. Lomé as a Banking Hub: Despite representing only 6.6% of WAEMU banking assets, Lomé hosts the region’s biggest banking holding-company base, with four groups holding CFAF 24.13 trillion. Economic Performance: INSEED reported Togo’s economy grew 3.8% in Q1 2026, led by manufacturing (notably textiles) and services driven by transport, warehousing and Port of Lomé logistics. Extractives Jobs: New ministry-linked figures suggest Togo’s extractive sector could employ about 25,000–28,000 people when direct and indirect roles plus artisanal mining are combined. Reform Progress: Togo posted a 68.4% reform implementation rate by end-June 2026, alongside a 63.3% budget execution rate, with updates spanning business support, decentralization and environmental policy. Shipping Efficiency Angle: A wider West Africa ports story highlights how coordination tools can cut vessel waiting and costs—relevant for Lomé’s logistics competitiveness.

Togo–Belarus Economic Push: President Faure Gnassingbé met Alexander Lukashenko in Bishkek and secured Belarusian support to implement Togo’s 2026–2031 roadmap, with priority areas including food security, agro-industry, mechanization, mining and banking. Transit Security for Fuel: Togo’s tax authority (OTR) launched electronic tracking in Lomé for petroleum transit cargo to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger under SESS, using specialized devices and 24/7 monitoring to curb deviations. Lomé as WAEMU Banking Hub: Despite holding just 6.6% of WAEMU banking assets, Lomé hosts the region’s biggest banking holding-company base, with four groups controlling CFAF 24.13tn. Digital Agriculture Exported to Chad: A Chad delegation visited Lomé to learn from Togo’s digital farming tools (SIHAM, TG-ALERTE+ and e-Agri conseil), reporting 80,000+ climate bulletins produced in 2024. Extractives Jobs Estimate: Togo’s extractive sector could employ 25,000–28,000 people (3,556 direct plus 12,000–15,000 indirect, plus artisanal mining), based on ministry and EITI-linked figures. Road Project Oversight: Togo is recruiting a consultant for a 45-day completion audit of the Lomé–Cotonou road resettlement plan under AfDB financing. Port & Logistics Pressure in the Region: A shipping-focused report highlights how congestion and delays raise landed costs and weaken West Africa’s port competitiveness, with Lomé cited as a faster benchmark.

Petroleum Transit Oversight: Togo’s tax authority (OTR) launched in Lomé an electronic tracking pilot for trucks carrying petroleum products in transit to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, expanding the SESS system with specialized devices and 24/7 monitoring to flag route deviations. Banking Concentration in Lomé: Despite holding just 6.6% of WAEMU banking assets, Lomé hosts the region’s biggest banking holding-company base, with four firms controlling 40% of holding assets (CFAF 24.13tn), led by Ecobank. Agriculture Tech Sharing: A Chad delegation visited Lomé to study Togo’s digital agriculture platforms (SIHAM, TG-ALERTE+ and e-Agri conseil), with results citing 80,000+ climate bulletins in 2024 reaching 122,000 people. Extractives Jobs: Togo’s extractive sector could employ 25,000–28,000 people when direct and indirect roles are combined, with phosphate, clinker and limestone at the core. Economic Momentum: Togo’s Q1 2026 GDP grew 3.8% y/y, driven by secondary-sector gains (textiles up 36.4%, construction up 7.4%) and services led by transport/warehousing tied to the Port of Lomé. Infrastructure Safeguards: Togo is recruiting a consultant to audit the Lomé–Cotonou road resettlement plan under an AfDB-financed project, with a 45-day review starting October 2026.

Extractives Jobs: Togo’s extractive sector could employ about 25,000–28,000 people, combining direct jobs, indirect work, and artisanal mining—higher than the EITI’s narrower estimate. Economic Momentum: INSEED says Togo’s economy grew 3.8% in Q1 2026, led by manufacturing (notably textile/apparel) and logistics tied to the Port of Lomé. Reform Tracking: Togo reports a 68.4% reform implementation rate by end-June 2026, with progress across finance, land tenure, digital development, SME support, and environmental policy. Roads & Safeguards: Togo is recruiting a consultant for a 45-day audit of the Lomé–Cotonou road resettlement plan under an AfDB-funded project. Energy Policy Pressure: While not Togo-specific, regional electricity subsidy and tariff freezes underline the wider fiscal strain affecting West African power markets. Local Industry Links: Lacs 1 (Togo) and Cachoeira (Brazil) sign a sister-city deal focused on culture, tourism, education, and local enterprise exchanges.

Local Infrastructure & Safeguards: Togo is recruiting a consultant to run a 45-day completion audit of the Lomé–Cotonou road rehabilitation and coastal protection RAP, checking compensation, support to project-affected people and help for vulnerable groups, with work set to start in October 2026. Public Works Finance: Togo’s private contractors say banks have tightened credit for public contracts as unpaid invoices pile up after project completion, worsening cashflow and pushing loans into risk categories under BCEAO rules. Agribusiness & Fertilizers: On the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit, Togo’s PM met Belarus’s Lukashenka to discuss joint mineral fertilizer production, building on earlier plans to supply Belarusian farm machinery. Digital Governance: La Francophonie launched its first Digital Governance Forum in Geneva, framing AI rules for Francophone Africa around language, sovereignty and producing local solutions. Education Support: A Russian-Togolese Alternative initiative delivered school kits to 100 low-income families in Lomé, including backpacks and full stationery sets. International Labor Leadership: Togo’s Gilbert Houngbo officially seeks a second term as ILO Director-General, facing Spain’s Yolanda Díaz and Peru’s Javier González-Olaechea. Municipal Cooperation: Lacs 1 (Togo) and Cachoeira (Brazil) signed a sister-city deal covering culture, tourism, education, youth entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and local economic development.

Lomé–Cotonou Road Oversight: Togo is recruiting a consultant to run a completion audit of the Resettlement Action Plan for the Lomé–Cotonou road rehabilitation and coastal protection project, financed by the African Development Bank, with a 45-day assignment starting October 2026 to check compensation, support to project-affected people, and help for vulnerable groups. Cross-border Power Bills: Nigeria’s NERC says Togo, Benin and Niger owe about $11.16m for 2025 electricity supply, with $62.75m of a $73.91m invoice recovered (84.90% remittance). Togo Cotton Push: Togo is reported to have exceeded its 2026–2027 cotton planting forecast, signaling momentum for the country’s farm-to-industry pipeline. Energy Losses & Theft (Region Watch): Nigeria’s power sector reports N1.36trn in unpaid-for electricity in 2025, highlighting the wider pressure on West African grids and billing systems. Digital Music Growth in Togo: A spotlight on Nihtael’s role in Togo’s music digital transformation, including distribution, artist development and visibility support.

Cross-Border Power Payments: Nigeria’s electricity regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 power supply, with $62.75m paid out of $73.91m (84.90% remittance). Energy Losses & Accountability: Nigeria also reports N1.36trn in unpaid electricity in 2025, with major billing and collection gaps across distribution companies. Textiles & Industrial Upgrading: Northshore Apparel Ghana plans a fabric mill and a cotton outgrower scheme to build a fuller textile value chain—an approach that highlights the “fabric-first” lesson for regional apparel growth. Maritime & Trade Infrastructure: Nigeria’s ports authority links a $1bn port modernisation push to congestion, outdated infrastructure and weak automation that cost the economy over N1trn yearly. Regional Security & Trade Routes: ECOWAS faces a tougher operating environment as Sahel states deepen security ties outside ECOWAS, while cross-border jihadist expansion complicates enforcement near the coast. Togo Music Digital Shift: In Togo, Nihtael is helping artists navigate digital distribution and visibility as the music industry’s business model changes.