Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé arrived in Beijing on September 1, 2024, to attend the ninth China-Africa Economic Forum (FOCAC 2024). He met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 2, where they announced the upgrade of their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the highest level in China's diplomatic relations. 

According to the Togolese presidency, this move indicates a significant deepening of ties between Togo and China. The partnership will expand cooperation in political, economic, security, and international coordination.

During their meeting, President Gnassingbé praised China's supportive approach to Africa, as shown by FOCAC. Xi Jinping commended Togo's economic performance and political stability, especially amid regional security challenges. 

With this new comprehensive strategic partnership, Togo joins a select group of African nations, including South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, and Ethiopia, that have similar close relations with China. Togo aims to strengthen cooperation with China in areas like infrastructure, science and technology, and the digital economy.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi

Togo recently launched a new issue on the UMOA Securities market. This time, Lomé has issued fungible treasury bills, seeking CFA30 billion. The operation closes on September 6.

The bills issued have a par value of CFA10000 per unit and mature over 91 days. They carry multiple interest rates. 

So far this year, Togo has raised CFA593 billion on the regional market. That is 97% of its annual target–CFA607 billion. Funds raised will finance Togo’s 2024 budget.

Esaïe Edoh

The Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport welcomed 325,709 passengers in the first quarter of 2024, a 6% increase from the previous year. The Directorate General of Budget and Finance (DGBF) reported this figure in its recent budget execution report.

This growth continues a positive trend since 2021, following a significant drop in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic when passenger numbers fell nearly 49% from 916,000 in 2019 to just 460,000.

The increase in passenger traffic aligns with the government's goal of making Togo an air hub in West Africa, with a target of 1.5 million passengers by 2025. 

The growth was spurred by the opening of new air routes. Recently, six new routes were launched, including two by Ethiopian Airlines and four by Asky, bringing the total number of destinations served to 41. Additionally, Liz Aviation has expanded its services to include flights to Ouagadougou, enhancing regional connectivity.

The direct flight from Lomé to Washington, launched by Ethiopian Airlines in June 2022, continues to drive traffic, using Lomé as a transit point to Addis Ababa and other destinations, reinforcing the airport's role in international aviation.

Esaïe Edoh

Joaquín Tasso Vilallonga, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Togo since 2020, has completed his mission in the country. Gwilym Jones, a British diplomat, will now lead European diplomacy in Togo.

Vilallonga announced his departure on X on August 31, 2024."Today, my mission in Togo comes to an end and I hand over to my colleague Gwilym Jones, who will take over this account in the coming days ", posted the British-born European diplomat.

Before his recent appointment, Jones served as EU Ambassador to Mauritania from September 2021. Before that, he was Head of EU Cooperation in Niger, from 2019 to 2021, where he oversaw development projects.

Under Jones’s leadership, the EU team in Togo will continue projects funded in the first phase of the 2021-2024 multi-year programming. These projects focus on tackling climate change, developing agro-industries, and strengthening the Togolese state’s resilience.

In addition to ongoing projects, Gwilym Jones will lead discussions with Togolese authorities about the budget for the second phase of multi-year programming from 2025 to 2027. 

This new phase will focus on human development, socio-economic inclusion, sustainable agro-industries, natural resource management, and strengthening peace and resilience in Togolese society.

Esaïe Edoh

Togo’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation is seeking a director for the NanaTech program. This is a program that supports women entrepreneurs in the digital sector. 

The hired director will monitor and evaluate current initiatives and ensure the program's continuity by creating synergies with existing efforts. He/She will also help define and implement additional projects to strengthen women's skills in the digital field.

The director will work closely with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Agence Togo Digital (ATD) to ensure these projects’ sustainability. Starting this year, the director will oversee five additional NanaTech programs funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through the Millennium Challenge Account Implementing Agency - Togo (OMCA-Togo). 

These programs are part of a grant agreement between the Togolese government and the United States under the Threshold Program.

Applications for the position are open until October 7, 2024. Candidates should have a Bac+5 degree in business management, information and communication sciences, or a related field, along with at least eight years of leadership experience in the digital industry or business development.

Esaïe Edoh

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched the 2024 edition of the "Startup Innovation Challenge" last weekend in Lomé. Project submissions are open until September 18.

This competition aims to support Togolese digital startups by promoting innovative technological solutions for local challenges. The UNDP seeks projects that can significantly impact communities and industries.

At the end of the challenge, up to 10 innovators will be selected in specific fields such as digital, human services, agritech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and logistical conservation services for local produce, with a focus on perishable fruit and vegetables. Each winner will receive funding to develop their project. The agency is also committed to providing these innovators with resources and platforms to test, prototype, and refine their ideas.

This year, the challenge, which focuses on creating solutions that meet local community needs, is organized in collaboration with the University of Lomé. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has supported over 50 startups, primarily led by women, to benefit from UNDP support in Togo.

Esaïe Edoh

Audiovisual regulators of WAEMU States and Guina (PRA-UEMOA-GUINEE) are gathered in Lomé for their 11th General Assembly. The roundtable kicked off yesterday and ends today. Its theme is: "Effective implementation of DTT in Platform member countries: state of play, proposals and strategies for action in the face of delay."

One of the key highlights of the meeting will be the confirmation of Pitalounani Telou as the new boss of the PRA-UEMOA-GUINEE. If confirmed, Telou, who currently heads Togo’s communication and audiovisual watchdog, will take over from Rémi Moretti.

The Assembly will also address regulation issues relating to communication across the WAEMU. These discussions are part of the 2023-2024 Action Plan adopted in Cotonou at the previous General Assembly.

Esaïe Edoh

Togolese authorities plan to launch a major cleanup operation for the Gbaga channel, a natural border with Benin. Both countries will be involved. 

Set to cost CFA4.7 billion, the cleanup is part of the WACA ResIP Coastal Resilience Program. The latter aims to reduce flooding risks and improve the quality of life for riverside communities.

The 30 km-long Gbaga channel faces silting, pollution, and erosion.

Its dredging, which is expected to take nine months, will include mowing and sediment excavation. These will follow environmental and social impact studies.

TC MARINES/ZILLA GROUP and the INROS LACKNER/ DECO IC/ IGIP/ Afrique consortium will carry out and monitor the project.

Surrounding residents were informed about the project a month ago, via a radio program launched by WACA in Togo. 

The dredging project aims to curb growing environmental pressures on the wetland and bolster climate resilience living conditions in the Lacs 1 and Lacs 2 municipalities.

"These works aim to reduce flooding and improve navigation while creating thousands of jobs for young people. Cooperation from riverside populations is essential for the success of this initiative," noted Dr. Alimi Adou Rahim, WACA ResIP program coordinator in Togo.

Ayi Renaud Dossavi