AGP Executive Report

Electricity Payments: Nigeria’s NERC says Togo, Niger and Benin still owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity supplied under bilateral arrangements, with international customers paying 84.9% of $73.91m invoiced. Textiles & Cotton: Togo’s cotton season is ahead of plan, with planted acreage at 115,980 ha (110.5% of target) as the sector targets 105,000 tons of seed cotton; meanwhile Northshore Apparel is pushing an integrated textile model in Ghana with a planned fabric mill and cotton outgrower scheme. Investment & Free Zones: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted reforms dissolving SAZOF and expanding API-ZF powers to manage industrial zones and streamline investment approvals and incentives. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn financing deal to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, aiming to cut firewood use and emissions while improving household health. Logistics & Shipping: Dangote Industries says it will acquire vessels after failing to secure shipping capacity for cement exports, citing road-tax burdens through Benin and Togo. Regional Air Connectivity: ASKY launched a Lomé–Kano–Niamey service, boosting trade and mobility across West Africa. Media Jobs: A Togo survey finds private journalists facing low pay, insecure work and limited social protection, renewing pressure for labor protections.

Togo Cotton Push: Togo says its 2026-2027 cotton season is off to a strong start, with planted acreage at 115,980 hectares (110.5% of the initial 105,000-hectare target), aiming for 105,000 tons of seed cotton versus about 80,000 tons expected in 2025-2026. Free Zone Overhaul: The Council of Ministers adopted decrees dissolving SAZOF and expanding the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, streamline investment approvals, and improve transparency—an effort to boost private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a financing deal to raise $8.5 million (over CFAF 4.7 billion) for improved cookstoves, targeting rollout from pilots to wider coverage by 2032 to cut firewood use and protect forests. Private Media Pressure: A SYNJIT survey warns Togo’s private journalists face precarious work—low pay, unstable contracts, delayed wages, and limited CNSS/health coverage. Electricity Bills Gap: Benin, Togo and Niger reportedly owed Nigeria $11.16 million in 2025 electricity bills, highlighting collection challenges in cross-border power deals. Regional Logistics Watch: Dangote plans to acquire its own cargo ships after failing to secure vessels for cement exports, citing shipping shortages and road taxes via Benin and Togo. Agribusiness Credit: ProMIFA is working to improve credit access for vegetable growers by refining financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application support through partner institutions.

Togo Investment & Free Zone Overhaul: Togo’s Council of Ministers has adopted decrees dissolving SAZOF and expanding the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, offer sites to investors, and tighten transparency around approvals and incentives—aimed at boosting private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn (about $8.5m) financing deal with Valor Carbon Ltd, Valitera Pte Ltd and Arborify SA to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, targeting rollout through 2032 (and potentially to 2037) after a pilot that already reached about 107,000 households. Textile Exports Take Off: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) shipped textile products to the United States for the first time from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, joining other exporters and reinforcing Togo’s push to add value to its cotton supply chain. Agribusiness Credit Push: ProMIFA is working with partner lenders and technical teams to improve financing access for vegetable growers, including better loan application preparation and beneficiary selection across multiple regions. Regional Trade & Shipping Pressure: Dangote Industries says it will acquire its own vessels after failing to secure shipping capacity for a 1,000-tonne cement shipment to Ghana, citing high road transit costs and corridor taxes through Benin and Togo. Maritime Skills in West Africa: Ghana’s maritime authorities ran a regional training for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo included, as IMO urges assessment systems to keep up with automation and new fuels.

Togo Investment & Free Zones: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolved SAZOF and expanded the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, offer sites to investors, and tighten transparency around approvals and incentives—aimed at boosting private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn (about $8.5m) deal to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, targeting forest protection and healthier households, with rollout planned through 2032 and beyond. Textiles Export Push: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) began shipping textile products to the United States from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, adding to 2025 export volumes and reinforcing Togo’s move to capture more value in the cotton-to-textile chain. Agriculture Credit for Vegetables: ProMIFA is improving how vegetable growers access loans by aligning financing terms, beneficiary selection, and application timelines with partner financial institutions. Power Infrastructure Planning (Lomé): Togo is preparing a 120MW dual-fuel thermal plant at the Lomé Thermal Power Plant site, using natural gas with liquid fuel backup, with contractor selection expected late 2026.

Dangote Shipping Push: Dangote Cement says it will acquire its own vessels after failing to secure even a 1,000-tonne shipment from Nigeria to Ghana, arguing that road routes via Benin and Togo add VAT and charges that make exports uncompetitive. Togo Textile Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, adding momentum to Togo’s push to process more cotton locally. Togo Power Plan: Togo announced an Early Market Engagement for a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé (World Bank-backed), designed to run mainly on natural gas with liquid fuel backup. Togo Agriculture Credit: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by refining financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application support across multiple regions. Maritime Skills in the Region: Ghana’s maritime authority launched a regional training for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo among participating countries. ASKY Route Expansion: ASKY will launch Kano–Niamey service via Lomé from Sept. 2, boosting West and Central Africa connectivity.

Maritime & Trade Logistics: Dangote Industries says it will acquire its own shipping fleet after repeated failures to secure vessels for even 1,000-tonne cement consignments to Ghana, arguing that road routes through Benin and Togo add taxes and erode regional competitiveness. Regional Air Connectivity: ASKY will launch a new Kano–Niamey service from September 2, routed via Lomé, boosting West and Central Africa business links. Togo Power & Energy: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé (natural gas primary, liquid fuel backup) with World Bank support, aiming to meet rising peak demand. Togo Mining Policy: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, with applications reviewed under existing rules while regulatory reforms continue. Agribusiness Finance: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by aligning financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application timelines across regions. Textiles for Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, signaling growing export capacity. Health & Workplaces: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no employer support for malaria prevention, including in Togo, calling for stronger private-sector action. Maritime Skills: IMO-backed training in Ghana targets seafarer assessment and certification capacity across West Africa, with Togo among participating countries.

Textile Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, adding to the platform’s growing export momentum and job creation push. Power Investment: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé, using natural gas as the primary fuel with liquid fuel as backup, with World Bank support and contractor selection expected in late 2026. Agribusiness Credit: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by tightening coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, partner financial institutions, and local technical teams, aiming to better match loan terms to farmers’ needs. Mining Policy: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, reopening applications under existing rules while regulators prepare broader code reforms. Maritime Skills: A regional training in Ghana is building capacity for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo among participating countries—supporting safer certification as maritime tech evolves. Health at Work: A West Africa-wide survey finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, while another report urges a stronger private-sector role in workplace malaria prevention. Security & Trade Risks: A landmark review warns social media is fueling online wildlife trafficking, while separate reporting highlights renewed Somali piracy risks affecting shipping routes.

Malaria Workplace Gap: A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries found 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging businesses to move from awareness to real workplace action—an issue that also affects productivity and absenteeism in Togo and beyond. Agribusiness Credit Push: Togo’s ProMIFA risk-sharing scheme is improving credit access for vegetable growers, with meetings across multiple regions to better match loan terms, beneficiary selection, and application timelines—aimed at boosting bank lending where agriculture still gets only a tiny share. Textile Exports Take Off: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, building on growing PIA export volumes and the push to capture more value from local cotton. Power Investment Pipeline: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé (natural gas primary, liquid fuel backup) with World Bank support, targeting higher dispatchable capacity as demand rises. Mining Permits Restart: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, reopening applications under existing rules while reforms are prepared. Maritime Skills for Togo: Regional training in seafarer assessment and certification includes Togo, strengthening examiners and instructors to keep pace with new maritime technology and standards. Wildlife Trade Online: A landmark Nature Reviews Biodiversity review says social media is fueling illegal wildlife trafficking, calling for platform regulation, demand reduction, and community coordination to tackle the problem.

Maritime Skills & Standards: Ghana’s Maritime Authority opened a five-day regional training at the Regional Maritime University to upgrade seafarer examiners, assessors and instructors, with Togo among participating countries, as IMO officials stress assessment systems must evolve with automation, digital tools, autonomous shipping and alternative fuels. Power & Industry Investment: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé at the existing Lomé Thermal Power Plant site, using natural gas as primary fuel with liquid fuel backup, supported by the World Bank, with contractor selection expected late 2026. Mining & Upstream Activity: Togo has reopened applications for mineral exploration permits after a suspension, allowing investors to apply under existing rules while the regulatory reform process continues. Climate Finance for Business: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment, including a digital climate information and investment platform, a green & climate booklet for businesses, and a communications plan under the NAP Readiness project. Journalism & Media Freedom: CPJ urged Togo to drop charges and release two French journalists and their Togolese fixer detained for 26 days after a documentary shoot in northern Togo. Maritime Security Watch: Somali piracy is showing a comeback, with multiple hijackings and attacks reported around the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, raising risks for regional shipping.

Power & Infrastructure: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé, to be built at the existing Lomé Thermal Power Plant site with World Bank support; the modular design will run mainly on natural gas with liquid fuel as backup, aiming to match rising demand (peak 360 MW in Q1 2026) and improve dispatchable capacity, with contractor selection expected in late 2026. Mining & Regulation: Togo has resumed mineral exploration permit applications nationwide after a suspension, reopening submissions under existing rules while the regulatory reform process continues. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment, including a climate information/investment digital platform, a green & climate booklet, and a communications plan under the NAP Readiness project. Maritime Biodiversity: Lomé hosted workshops to shape Togo’s position ahead of the January 2027 BBNJ Agreement COP, focusing on marine genetic resources, impact assessments, and capacity-building. Journalism & Energy Accountability: CPJ urged Togolese authorities to drop charges and release two French journalists and their Togolese fixer detained for documentary filming, highlighting pressure on media freedom. Regional Energy Trade: Ghana renewed its push to supply electricity to Nigeria as part of a wider West African power hub ambition, building on existing cross-border links that already include Togo.

Press Freedom & Media: CPJ is urging Togo to drop charges and release French journalists Sebastian Perez Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër, plus their Togolese fixer Komi Mawufemo Vedomey, who have been held since July 27 while filming in northern Togo; one was provisionally released for medical reasons but passports were confiscated, raising concerns about prolonged legal delays. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment— a digital climate information and investment platform, a Green & Climate booklet for financing guidance, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project supported by the Green Climate Fund and FAO. Marine Biodiversity Governance: Togo is running workshops to shape its national position ahead of the first BBNJ Agreement COP in January 2027, covering marine genetic resources, impact assessments, capacity-building and technology transfer. Port & Trade Competition: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and pulling ahead of Abidjan, driven by transshipment growth and larger vessel calls. Regional Energy Push: Ghana renewed its push to supply electricity to Nigeria as part of a wider West African power hub strategy, building on existing cross-border links that already include Togo. Maritime Security: Somali piracy surged again with hijackings off Yemen and Somalia, including an Eritrea-flagged tanker and a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship, underlining renewed risks for shipping in the Horn of Africa.

Press Freedom in Togo: CPJ is urging Togolese authorities to drop charges and release two French filmmakers, Sebastian Perez Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër, plus their Togolese fixer Komi Mawufemo Vedomey, detained for 26 days since July 27 while filming in northern Togo; a judge provisionally released Pezzani for medical reasons but confiscated his passport. Climate Finance for Businesses: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to pull more private capital into climate action— a digital climate investment platform, a Private Sector Green & Climate booklet, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project supported by the Green Climate Fund and FAO. Marine Conservation Planning: Togo is running workshops to shape its national position ahead of the January 2027 UN conference on the BBNJ marine biodiversity treaty, with the High Council for the Sea and IUCN support. Regional Power Ambitions (Ghana): Ghana says it wants to start supplying electricity to Nigeria as part of a wider West African energy hub push, building on existing cross-border links with Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. West African Shipping Competition: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and widening its lead over Abidjan, as transshipment and ultra-large vessels drive growth. Togo’s Cost of Living: Togo’s annual inflation rose to 0.3% in July 2026 (from 0.1% in June), with energy, transport, and housing among the main drivers. Maritime Security (Horn of Africa): Somali piracy is resurging, with hijackings reported off Yemen and Somalia, raising risks for regional shipping and logistics.

Press Freedom & Media: Togo detained two French filmmakers, Gaël Mocaër and Sébastien Perez-Pezzani, plus their Togolese fixer, Komi Mawufemo Vedomey, for over three weeks after arrests in northern Kara while filming “Les Routes de l’impossible”; CPJ and RSF are urging Togo to drop charges and release the men, with one released provisionally for medical reasons but facing passport confiscation. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment—an online climate info and investment platform, a Green & Climate booklet for businesses, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project supported by the Green Climate Fund and FAO. Marine Biodiversity Governance: Workshops in Lomé are building stakeholder input on the BBNJ Agreement (marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction) ahead of the first COP in January 2027, as Togo advances ratification. Trade & Logistics: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and pulling ahead of Abidjan, driven by transshipment growth and larger vessel calls. Regional Energy Links: Ghana signaled plans to supply electricity to Nigeria as it expands cross-border power trade, with Nigeria seen as a major new market. Security & Shipping Risk: Somali piracy and hijackings surged again in the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, with multiple vessels seized in days, raising risks for maritime trade. Macroeconomy: Togo’s inflation rose to 0.3% in July 2026 (from 0.1% in June), led by higher energy, transport, and housing-related costs.

Maritime Security: Somali pirates hijacked two commercial vessels in separate incidents off Yemen and Somalia, including the Eritrea-flagged oil products tanker M.T. Sibu 1 in the Gulf of Aden and the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship M/V Lutuf off Puntland, underscoring a renewed piracy threat around the Horn of Africa. Press Freedom & Media Risk: Togolese authorities placed two French filmmakers and their Togolese fixer in pre-trial detention after arrests tied to documentary filming in northern Togo; CPJ and RSF are calling for releases and dropping charges. Climate Finance for Industry: Togo launched three tools to pull more private-sector money into climate action— a climate information/investment platform, a green & climate business guide, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project. Blue Economy Policy: Togo is running workshops to shape its position ahead of the first BBNJ Agreement COP in Jan 2027, covering marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Macroeconomy Watch: Togo’s inflation rose to 0.3% in July 2026 (from 0.1% in June), driven mainly by energy, transport, and housing-related costs. Trade & Logistics Rivalry: Ghana’s Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and Abidjan as transshipment and larger vessels boost throughput.

ECOWAS–Sahel Diplomacy: Russia’s Lavrov and Ghana’s FM Ablakwa agreed a package to normalize ties between ECOWAS and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with security and counterterrorism in the Sahara-Sahel front and center. Press Freedom & Media: Togolese authorities placed two French filmmakers and their Togolese fixer in pre-trial detention after arrests in northern Togo while filming; CPJ is urging charges to be dropped and releases made, with one filmmaker provisionally freed for medical reasons but passport confiscated. Blue Economy & Conservation: Togo is running Aug. 20–27 workshops in Lomé to shape its national position ahead of the first BBNJ Agreement COP in Jan. 2027, covering marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. Climate Finance for Industry: Togo launched three tools to boost private-sector climate investment—an online climate info/investment platform, a green & climate business guide, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project. Port & Trade Competition: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and Abidjan, driven by transshipment and larger vessels. Macroeconomy for Business: Togo’s inflation ticked up to 0.3% in July (from 0.1% in June), led by energy, transport, and housing costs. World Bank Income Reclassification: Togo moved into the World Bank’s lower-middle income bracket effective 1 July 2026, mainly due to a population revision after the 2022 census.

Maritime & Trade: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and Abidjan, with growth driven by transshipment and ultra-large vessel calls—intensifying the Lomé–Tema–Abidjan rivalry. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three NAP Readiness tools in Lomé to pull more private capital into climate action: a climate investment information platform, a Green & Climate business booklet, and a communications plan to spotlight best practices. Marine Conservation & Industry Impact: Togo is running Lomé workshops (Aug 20–27) to shape its national position ahead of the first BBNJ Agreement COP in Jan 2027, supporting marine genetic resources, impact assessments, and capacity-building. Macroeconomy: Togo’s annual inflation rose to 0.3% in July 2026 (from 0.1% in June), with monthly price gains led by energy, transport, and housing-related costs. Construction & Competition (Regional): Nigeria’s FCCPC opened a cement price manipulation probe after comparing Nigeria with markets including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria and Togo; it summoned major firms as retail prices hit up to ₦15,000 per 50kg bag. Energy & Logistics (Regional): Reports highlight how fuel from Dangote’s refinery can be routed via Lomé’s offshore hub and re-imported into Nigeria, keeping regional logistics central to pricing. Governance & Security (Media): Togo detained two French filmmakers and their Togolese fixer in pre-trial custody over a documentary shoot, drawing calls for release from press freedom groups.