AGP Executive Report

China Ties: Faure Gnassingbé’s Beijing visit has elevated Togo-China relations to a “community with a shared future.” Premier Li Qiang said the countries will deepen cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and finance, while China urged Togo to use tariff-free access for eligible exports. Regional Energy: The West African Power Pool plans to launch the second phase of its electricity market early next year, with reforms aimed at strengthening cross-border trade and limiting political interference. Trade Links: Togo and three Sahel countries are working to harmonize customs rules and link systems, a move that could improve transit to landlocked markets through the Port of Lomé. Digital Policy: Togo’s media regulator trained 30 online creators to spot misinformation and use AI responsibly; separately, a national project is gathering local-language data to develop AI tools for public services. Regional Justice: Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine was elected ECOWAS Court president, with Togo’s Justice Yaouza Ouro-Sama among the five judges on the new court.

China Ties: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping elevated relations to a “community with a shared future,” opening the way for deeper cooperation in agriculture, technology and industry. The challenge for Togo is turning the new partnership into investment, jobs and skills. Digital Government: Togo has launched a three-year effort to gather speech and text in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba for AI tools that could help people use public services in their own languages. Regional Power: The West African Power Pool says the next phase of its electricity market is expected early next year. Its Lomé meeting also addressed reforms intended to reduce political interference in the market’s operations. ECOWAS Justice: Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine was elected president of the Community Court of Justice, pledging to uphold judicial independence and deliver timely justice. Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama is among the court’s five judges.

China Partnership: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping upgraded ties to a “community with a shared future,” with cooperation spanning agriculture, infrastructure, technology and maritime affairs. Togo’s challenge is turning the closer relationship into jobs, investment and skills; trade with China reached $5.43 billion in 2025. Trade and Finance: Ecobank signed a deal with China’s CIPS payment system to expand yuan settlements for African businesses trading with China. Ports and Oceans: Gnassingbé says Lomé should capture more value from port activity, not simply handle more cargo. He also backed China’s Xiamen to host the secretariat of a high-seas biodiversity agreement. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama is among five new judges at the ECOWAS Court, now led by Liberia’s Charlyne Brumskine, who has pledged to strengthen judicial independence and timely justice. Development Finance: Togo is taking part in IMF and World Bank meetings in Bangkok as it seeks funding amid tight public finances; the World Bank’s portfolio in the country stood at $1.49 billion in March.

China Ties: Faure Gnassingbé and Xi Jinping agreed to elevate Togo-China relations to a “community with a shared future,” pledging closer political and governance exchanges and cooperation in energy, digital technology and industrial development. Beijing also urged Togo to use its zero-tariff access and export channels to reach Chinese markets. Trade and Ports: Gnassingbé says Lomé wants more value from port activity—not just higher cargo traffic—by linking the port to local industry and businesses. During the China visit, Togo also backed Xiamen’s bid to host the high-seas biodiversity treaty secretariat. Financing: A Togolese delegation is attending IMF-World Bank meetings in Bangkok as the government seeks development funding amid fiscal constraints. Ecobank and China’s CIPS payment system signed a deal to improve yuan payments between China and Africa. Maritime Security: A Togo-flagged ship sank in a drone attack off Bulgaria last week, with its crew’s fate unclear, as fresh strikes hit other commercial vessels in the Black Sea.

China Relations: Faure Gnassingbé met Xi Jinping in Beijing during an official visit running through Oct. 16. The leaders announced a China-Togo “community with a shared future,” while Xi called for African-led approaches to conflicts and respect for sovereignty. Gnassingbé also highlighted scope for cooperation in maritime security, ports and the blue economy. Black Sea Shipping: Bulgaria’s defence minister suspects Russia was involved in fresh drone attacks on ships, but officials say they lack conclusive proof. One vessel sank and 11 sailors are missing. The attacks follow the Oct. 6 sinking of the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan; its crew remains missing, and Bulgaria has sought EU and NATO help to investigate. Regional Energy: Togo hosted the West African Power Pool’s board meeting in Lomé, where Nigeria’s Sule Abdulaziz was re-elected chair for another three years. He urged members to meet financial commitments and strengthen frameworks for regional electricity integration.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé says Togo and China can deepen cooperation in maritime security, port logistics and the blue economy during his October 9–16 visit. He also toured an agricultural technology hub, as Togolese commentators press for clear projects, timelines and benefits at home. Trade and Finance: Lomé-based Ecobank signed a deal with China’s CIPS to expand yuan payments between African businesses and Chinese partners, aiming to ease cross-border settlements. Security Scrutiny: A fresh complaint in Paris has revived questions about arms broker Robert Montoya as he reportedly pursues security work in northern Togo. He has not been convicted in the case, and the allegations remain to be assessed. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama has joined four new members of the ECOWAS Court, whose four-year terms begin amid calls for impartial rulings and stronger regional accountability. Energy Policy: Togo is moving to open its electricity network further to private investors, alongside plans for a solar plant of up to 110 megawatts.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé’s trip to China has brought new cooperation talks on agriculture, infrastructure and technology, including a partnership between China’s Shaanxi province and Togo’s Kara region. At home, debate is shifting to whether the visit will deliver jobs and services, not just agreements. Trade and Finance: Ecobank signed an agreement with China’s CIPS to improve yuan payments between China and Africa, at a ceremony attended by Togo’s finance minister. Energy: Togo plans a solar plant of up to 110 MW near Nangbéto, part of a wider 400 MW renewable-energy programme. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Community Court judges. Mobile Money: From November 2, BCEAO rules will raise the electronic-money balance limit to CFAF 4 million per issuer across the West African Monetary Union.

China Visit: Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers, Faure Gnassingbé, toured Shaanxi during an official visit to China, which runs through October 16. Energy Plans: Togo plans a solar plant of up to 110 megawatts at Nangbéto, part of a wider 400-megawatt renewable energy programme. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in to the ECOWAS Community Court alongside four new judges, with the bloc’s chair urging impartiality. Power Cooperation: The West African Power Pool re-elected its board chairman at a meeting in Lomé, where members discussed stronger governance and a more viable regional electricity market. Diplomacy: Togo and Russia identified cooperation priorities in energy, trade, industry, agriculture and transport at their first joint intergovernmental commission meeting; two memorandums were signed.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé is in China on an official visit through Oct. 16, touring Shaanxi as Togo seeks to deepen ties with Beijing. Regional Justice: Togolese judge Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in among five new ECOWAS Court judges; bloc chair Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged them to rule impartially and protect public trust. Trade and Education: A Lomé workshop helped small businesses understand AfCFTA export rules, while Togo’s education minister set priorities around job-ready skills, research and quality. Foreign Ties: Togo and Russia identified cooperation prospects in trade, energy, agriculture and transport at their first joint commission meeting; two memorandums were signed, with further agreements still under discussion. Economic Policy: Moody’s gave Togo a positive sovereign outlook, while the government is moving to open the electricity market further to private investment.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé began an official visit to China, running through October 16, for talks with President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders. The trip signals Togo’s push to deepen ties with Beijing. Education Policy: Togo’s 2026–27 university priorities include aligning courses with job needs, creating sector skills councils and requiring employment prospects to be assessed before new programs launch. Energy: The government is moving to open the electricity market to private investors, while Togo and Russia have also identified cooperation in energy, trade, agriculture and transport; their first joint commission in Lomé ended with two memorandums signed. Maritime Safety: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Its crew remains missing, and Syria is seeking an independent investigation. Credit Outlook: Moody’s gave Togo a positive sovereign outlook, citing improving regional conditions, though the assessment is not a credit-rating upgrade.

Higher Education: Togo’s 2026–27 university agenda will tie courses more closely to jobs, strengthen research and improve academic quality, with employers involved in planning new programs. China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé is in China through October 16 for talks with senior leaders and visits to Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong, underscoring Lomé’s close partnership with Beijing. Digital Services: Togo has launched a national challenge to gather local-language material for AI tools aimed at public services. Energy and Diplomacy: Togo and Russia are exploring cooperation in energy, industry and transport, including a proposed Lomé–Sahel energy corridor; separately, Togo is opening its electricity market to private investors. Maritime Security: A Togo-flagged cargo ship sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea zone, and its crew remains missing; investigators have yet to establish who was responsible. Credit Outlook: Moody’s has shifted Togo’s sovereign outlook to positive, citing regional reforms and stronger commodity prices, while warning that debt risks remain.

China Relations: Faure Gnassingbé arrived in China for an official visit running through October 16. President Xi Jinping is due to meet him, with talks also planned with Premier Li Qiang and top lawmakers. Russia Ties: Togo and Russia set priorities in trade, energy, agriculture and transport at their first joint intergovernmental commission in Lomé. Two memorandums were signed, while a proposed Lomé–Sahel energy corridor and a Russia–West Africa logistics route remain under discussion. Maritime Incident: A Togo-flagged cargo ship, the Alfa Watan, sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s Black Sea zone. Its 10 crew members remain missing, and Syria is seeking an independent investigation. Digital Services: Togo launched a pilot to collect texts, recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba to help AI tools support public services in local languages. Credit Outlook: Moody’s named Togo among eight African countries with a positive outlook, citing a broader regional improvement tied to reforms and stronger commodity prices.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé arrived in Xi’an for an official visit running through October 16. China says he is expected to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, with talks aimed at deepening ties between the two countries. Digital Government: Togo has launched a one-month pilot to gather texts, recordings and translations in Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba, helping train AI tools for local-language access to public services. Economic Outlook: Moody’s has placed Togo among eight sub-Saharan African countries with a positive outlook, citing regional reforms and stronger commodity prices, while warning that debt and other risks remain. Maritime Incident: Syria is seeking an independent investigation into the sinking of the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan in Bulgaria’s Black Sea economic zone. Ten crew members, including nine Syrians and one Egyptian, remain missing; the attack’s perpetrator has not been established.

China Visit: Faure Gnassingbé begins an official visit to China today, running through October 16. The trip includes meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, and is his seventh official visit to China. Black Sea Tragedy: The Togo-flagged cargo ship Alfa Watan sank after a drone strike in Bulgaria’s economic zone on October 6. Its 10 crew members remain missing after search operations ended; the EU condemned the attack. Energy Reform: Togo’s Cabinet approved a draft law to open electricity generation and supply to more private investment, allow third-party grid access and support businesses producing their own power. Digital Services: A new national challenge will gather local-language texts, recordings and translations to train AI models for public services, beginning with Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges. Economic Outlook: Moody’s gave Togo a positive outlook, citing reforms, commodity prices and improved access to financing, while warning that debt costs and limited public revenue remain risks.

Diplomacy: President of the Council of Ministers Faure Gnassingbé will visit China from October 9 to 16, Beijing announced, as Togo seeks closer ties with the major power. Digital Services: Togo launched a one-month pilot to gather Ewe, Kabiyè and Moba texts and recordings for AI tools aimed at making public services accessible in local languages. Energy Reform: Cabinet approved a draft law to attract private investment, allow third-party access to electricity networks and expand self-generation and renewable power. Maritime Safety: A Togo-flagged cargo ship, the Alfa Watan, sank after a drone strike off Bulgaria; nine Syrian sailors and one Egyptian remain missing, and the search has ended. Public Finance: Moody’s included Togo among eight sub-Saharan African countries with a positive outlook, while warning that debt costs and limited revenues remain risks. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as one of five new ECOWAS Court judges for a four-year term.

Black Sea Shipping: The Togo-flagged Alfa Watan sank after a drone attack in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone. A search for its crew ended without survivors being found; the attack’s perpetrators remain under investigation. Regional Justice: Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama was sworn in as an ECOWAS Court judge for a four-year term. ECOWAS chair Bassirou Diomaye Faye urged the five new judges to act independently and protect public trust. Urban Development: Togo has created SONADU by merging two public agencies to coordinate urban planning, housing and infrastructure as cities expand. Energy Reform: A draft law would open electricity networks further to private producers, recognize storage and allow eligible customers to access the grid. Public Finance: Togo’s new 2027–2031 revenue strategy targets CFAF 2.109 trillion in tax receipts by 2031, relying on a broader tax base and digital collection. Moody’s also included Togo among sub-Saharan African countries with a positive outlook.