Togo

The Togolese Republic (République Togolaise) is a small West African nation situated along the Bight of Benin, bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north. Despite its modest geographic size, Togo possesses significant cultural diversity, vibrant trade networks, and a long-standing tradition of political continuity under a single ruling family since independence. Its location along the Gulf of Guinea makes it a key trade and transport corridor for the West African subregion.

Historical Background

From the 11th to 16th centuries, a number of ethnic groups—including the Ewe, Mina, and Kabye—settled in the region that would become Togo. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the area’s coastline became part of the so-called Slave Coast, an important hub in the Atlantic slave trade, linking African societies with European and American markets.
In 1884, Germany declared Togoland a protectorate, establishing infrastructure and cash-crop plantations. Following World War I, the territory was divided between France and Britain, with French Togoland becoming a League of Nations mandate, later a United Nations trust territory under French administration. On 27 April 1960, Togo achieved full independence, with Sylvanus Olympio serving as its first president.
Olympio’s presidency was short-lived; he was assassinated in a coup in 1963, paving the way for political instability. In 1967, General Gnassingbé Eyadéma seized power, ushering in nearly four decades of authoritarian rule under the Rally of the Togolese People (RPT). His government fostered national unity under a one-party system but suppressed opposition movements.
After Eyadéma’s death in 2005, the military installed his son, Faure Gnassingbé, as president. Though subsequent elections introduced limited pluralism, political reform remained cautious. The Union for the Republic (UNIR), successor to the RPT, has continued to dominate Togolese politics.
A 2019 constitutional amendment reintroduced presidential term limits and a two-round voting system, while retaining provisions that allowed Gnassingbé to extend his tenure. In May 2024, significant reforms established a parliamentary republic, transferring executive power from the presidency to a newly created post of President of the Council of Ministers. As of 2025, Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de Tové serves as President, and Faure Gnassingbé leads the government as President of the Council of Ministers.

Geography and Environment

Located in West Africa, Togo lies between latitudes 6° and 11°N and longitudes 0° and 2°E, occupying 56,785 square kilometres—slightly smaller than the U.S. state of West Virginia. It shares borders with Ghana (1,098 km), Benin (651 km), and Burkina Faso (131 km), with a 56 km coastline on the Gulf of Guinea.
The landscape transitions from rolling savannas in the north to central hills and fertile plateaus before descending to low coastal plains and lagoons in the south. The country’s highest elevation, Mont Agou (986 m), lies in the Plateaux region. The climate is tropical and humid in the south but semi-arid in the northern savannas.
Togo is endowed with phosphate deposits, limestone, marble, and fertile agricultural land, all of which underpin its economy. However, environmental degradation—including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution—poses long-term sustainability challenges. The government has committed to international environmental frameworks aimed at conservation and renewable energy promotion.

People and Society

Togo’s population, estimated at 8.9 million (2024), is among the fastest-growing in West Africa, with a 2.4% annual growth rate and a median age of 20.7 years. The population is 44.5% urban, concentrated primarily in Lomé, the capital and economic hub.
Ethnic composition:

• Adja-Ewe/Mina: 42.4%
• Kabye/Tem: 25.9%
• Para-Gourma/Akan: 17.1%
• Akposso/Akebu: 4.1%
• Ana-Ife: 3.2%
• Others: 7.3%

The official language is French, with Ewe and Mina widely spoken in the south and Kabye and Dagomba prevalent in the north. Religious affiliation is diverse, with Christians (42.3%), followers of traditional religions (36.9%), and Muslims (14%) coexisting peacefully.
Education and health outcomes have improved but remain uneven. Literacy stands at 72.6% (male 82.8%, female 63.7%), while the fertility rate is 4.13 children per woman. Life expectancy averages 72.1 years, and the maternal mortality rate remains high at 349 deaths per 100,000 births. Access to safe drinking water (71%) and improved sanitation (46.7%) varies greatly between urban and rural regions, where poverty and gender disparities persist.

Government and Politics

Togo became a parliamentary republic following the 2024 constitutional reform, replacing the long-standing presidential system. The President, appointed by the National Assembly for a single six-year term, now serves largely as head of state, while the President of the Council of Ministers functions as head of government, accountable to Parliament.
Executive:

• President: Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de Tové (since May 2025)
• President of the Council of Ministers: Faure Gnassingbé (since May 2025)

The Cabinet is appointed by the President on the advice of the Council President.
Legislature: Togo’s bicameral Parliament comprises a National Assembly with 113 seats (UNIR 108, others 5; 15% women) and a Senate with 61 seats (34 UNIR, 7 others; 24.6% women).
The judiciary consists of the Supreme Court and Constitutional Court, whose judges are appointed by both the executive and legislative branches.
Major political parties include UNIR (Union for the Republic), ANC, MPDD, ADDI, UFC, PNP, CAR, CDPA, CPP, and FDR. The ongoing dominance of UNIR underscores the enduring political legacy of the Gnassingbé family.

Economy

Togo’s economy is low-income but steadily growing, driven by agriculture, phosphate mining, and maritime trade through Lomé Port, one of West Africa’s key logistics hubs.
Key economic indicators (2024):

• GDP (PPP): $27.1 billion
• GDP growth: 5.3%
• GDP per capita (PPP): $2,800
• Inflation: 2.9%
• Public debt: approximately 50% of GDP

Economic structure:

• Agriculture: 18% (cassava, maize, yams, cotton, soybeans, palm oil)
• Industry: 20% (phosphates, cement, textiles, beverages)
• Services: 52% (trade, transport, telecommunications)

Trade profile: Exports ($1.7 billion) include gold, refined petroleum, soybeans, phosphates, and cashews, with main partners being the UAE (40%), India (13%), and Angola (13%).Imports ($2.4 billion) consist mainly of refined petroleum, rice, garments, palm oil, and motorcycles, largely from China (26%), India (26%), and Belgium (6%).
Remittances—about 7.1% of GDP—provide a vital source of income for households, while poverty remains high at 45.5%. The currency, the West African CFA franc (XOF), maintains a stable exchange rate of 606.3 XOF per USD (2024).

Infrastructure and Energy

Togo’s infrastructure has expanded significantly, led by investments in renewable energy and transport corridors. Electricity access covers 57.2% of the population (urban 96.5%, rural 25%), with generation capacity of 326,000 kW. The energy mix includes fossil fuels (79%), solar (12%), and hydropower (9%), supported by regional integration projects.
The Port of Lomé functions as a major trans-shipment hub for landlocked neighbours, while Kpémé handles phosphate exports. Mobile penetration exceeds 7 million subscriptions, and internet usage has reached 37% of the population, driven by expanding 4G networks.

Military and Security

The Togolese Armed Forces, numbering around 20,000 personnel, encompass the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Gendarmerie. Military service is voluntary for both men and women, with a 24-month term. Defence expenditure accounts for 2.2% of GDP (2024).
Historically influential in politics, the military is increasingly focused on professionalisation and regional security cooperation, particularly in response to terrorist incursions from the Sahel. Since 2022, Togo has fortified its northern borders to counter attacks linked to al-Qa‘ida’s JNIM operating in Burkina Faso. The military also contributes to UN peacekeeping and maritime patrols in the Gulf of Guinea.

Culture and Heritage

Togo’s cultural heritage reflects a synthesis of Ewe and Kabye traditions, renowned for festivals, drumming, dance, and textile craftsmanship. The national flag, with five horizontal green and yellow stripes and a white star on a red square, symbolises unity, hope, and patriotism. The national anthem, “Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux” (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers), celebrates national pride, while the lion serves as the country’s emblem.