AGP Executive Report

Nuclear Safety in Focus: Senior health officials from nine African countries met in Nairobi to strengthen safeguards for nuclear and radiation use in healthcare, with Togo among the delegations and plans for an action plan supported by the IAEA. Border Tensions: Aflao Paramount Chief Togbui Adzonugaga Amenya Fiti V rejected Ghana’s Interior Minister claims about “illegal routes” along the Volta border, defending border communities and warning against stigmatisation. Tax Trust at Lomé Forum: Togo’s Revenue Office set a 2026 collection target of 1,338.9bn CFA francs and faces strained taxpayer relations, with a Lomé debate set to tackle whether tax is civic duty or disillusionment. Coffee & Cocoa Revival: Togo distributed 398,240 seedlings (177,200 cocoa, 106,540 coffee, 114,500 agroforestry) to boost productivity and resilience under the 2026 campaign. Ecobank Returns: Ecobank shareholders in Lomé approved a $40m dividend for 2025 as subsidiary profitability improves, while the WAEMU banking regulator cleared Bosquet’s acquisition of Nedbank’s Ecobank stake. Right to Information: Transparency International launched a West Africa study on access-to-information laws, highlighting implementation gaps in Liberia, Ghana, Togo and Sierra Leone. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured $215m to expand EV and battery-swapping infrastructure across multiple African markets including Togo. Climate Adaptation Finance: GEF approved new LDCF/SCCF projects worth $67m+ for vulnerable countries, including Togo, to cut flood/coastal risks and strengthen food and water security.

Right to Information Research: Transparency International chapters launched a new West Africa study on access-to-information laws, reviewing implementation in Liberia, Ghana, Togo and Sierra Leone and flagging gaps between strong legal frameworks and real public access. Banking & Governance: Ecobank Transnational Incorporated elected Cathia Lawson-Hall to its board in Lomé and shareholders approved a $40m dividend for FY2025, marking a return to payouts since 2022. Clean Mobility Investment: Spiro secured a $215m equity round to scale electric motorcycles and battery-swapping infrastructure across seven countries including Togo, with plans to expand further. Visa Policy Shock: The US plans to cut visa-processing missions in Africa from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Lomé listed among the centres—reshaping where applicants must travel. Regional Integration Push: Togo and Ghana moved toward visa-free entry for Africans, drawing praise from pan-African institutions and campaigners. Local Accountability & Courts: A court issued a bench warrant in a defilement case after a complainant failed to appear, underscoring ongoing legal follow-through. Sports & Identity: Ghana’s World Cup right-back Marvin Senaya, who chose Ghana over Togo, impressed in a friendly vs Wales; meanwhile Hearts of Oak faced a FIFA threat over unpaid hotel bills in Togo.

US Visa Overhaul: The U.S. plans to cut visa-processing missions across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 hubs, with Lomé named as one of the remaining processing cities—meaning applicants may have to travel farther for interviews and procedures. Deportation Watch: The U.S. also confirmed a new West Africa deportation list of 355 people, including 6 Togolese, as part of a wider immigration crackdown. Regional Trade & Security: A World Bank VP warned West Africa’s heavy dependence on imported rice drains about $5bn a year and creates food-security risk, urging ECOWAS execution and financing at scale. Togo Tech & Energy: ATD-backed incubation has graduated nine Togolese edtech startups for international growth, while Fest’Immo SolarDayZ in Lomé drew nearly 5,000 visitors to discuss housing and the energy transition. Sports & Local Fallout: Accra’s Hearts of Oak faces a FIFA threat over unpaid hotel bills in Togo, with a deadline set for June 5. Justice Update: A court issued a bench warrant in a defilement case after the complainant failed to attend proceedings.

US Visa Overhaul for Africa: The U.S. plans to cut visa-processing missions across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 regional hubs, with Lomé listed as a hub—meaning applicants may have to travel farther for interviews and procedures. West Africa Deportations: The U.S. also confirmed deportations of 355 West Africans, including 110 Nigerians and 6 Togolese, tied to fraud, smuggling, and violent crime cases. Identity & Border Security: Ghana’s interior minister warned about citizens allegedly helping foreigners register on ID systems and using unapproved crossing points, citing cases involving deported Nigerians using Ghanaian passports. Climate Resilience Funding: The GEF approved new LDCF/SCCF projects worth over $67m for vulnerable countries, including Togo, to reduce flood/coastal risks and strengthen food and water security. Togo-Russia Cultural Ties: Togo’s culture ministry says plans for a “Russian House” in Togo were discussed to expand Russian-language education and cultural exchanges. Energy & Trade Links: A report says Hormuz disruptions are rerouting shipping toward Africa’s Atlantic coast, potentially benefiting ports like Lomé.

U.S. Visa Overhaul for Africa: The Trump administration plans to cut U.S. visa-processing missions across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 regional hubs, with Lomé (Togo) included—meaning many applicants may have to travel farther for interviews and services. Regional Security & Identity Fraud: Ghana’s Interior Minister Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak warned against citizens helping foreigners register on national ID databases, citing a case where deported Nigerians allegedly used Ghanaian passports in Abuja, and he flagged trafficking routes through the Volta corridor. Trade & Border Compliance: Ghana’s Trans-Border Business Network trained cross-border traders (including women) on customs compliance and safe, approved border procedures to avoid seizures and steep penalties. Climate Finance for Resilience: Togo is among countries receiving new GEF adaptation funding (over $67m total) to strengthen flood/coastal risk management and food and water security. Lomé’s Port Gets a Boost: With the Hormuz crisis rerouting shipping toward Africa’s Atlantic coast, Port of Lomé stands to benefit as major lines suspend routes tied to the Red Sea. Energy Sector Politics (Ghana): Volta River Authority staff in Ghana oppose proposed privatisation of NEDCo, calling it “disguised privatisation” that could disrupt distribution and billing. Togo-Russia Cultural Push: Togo is set to host a “Russian House” to expand Russian-language education and cultural exchanges.

U.S. Visa Policy Shock: The State Department plans to cut visa-processing embassies and consulates across Africa from nearly 50 to 20 “regional hubs,” with Lomé (Togo) named among the West Africa centres—meaning travellers from non-hub countries may face longer trips and higher costs. Energy & Power Politics: Ghana’s Volta River Authority staff association has rejected the government’s proposed privatisation/Private Sector Participation plan for NEDCo, warning it could undermine distribution, billing, revenue collection, and network maintenance. Togo’s Climate Push: Togo says it has planted nearly 39 million trees since 2021 under its one-billion-by-2030 campaign, and targets 16.8 million seedlings across 11,250 hectares in 2026. Regional Trade Finance: Lomé-headquartered Ecobank announced a $3 billion programme to finance intra-African trade over three years to support AfCFTA implementation. Culture & Diplomacy: Togo is set to host a “Russian House” to expand Russian-language teaching and educational/cultural exchanges. Work & AI Debate: The UN labour agency urged that AI gains must benefit workers fairly through wages, labour protections, and inclusive growth. Investment in Mobility: Spiro, operating in Togo, raised $215m to expand battery-swapping and electric mobility infrastructure across Africa.

US Visa Policy: The U.S. plans to scale visa services in Africa to 20 “hubs,” with Lomé listed among the remaining processing locations, signaling tighter access and a reshuffle of where applicants can apply. Trade & Finance: Lomé-headquartered Ecobank unveiled a $3bn, three-year programme to back intra-African trade and support AfCFTA implementation, alongside new agro-industrial partnerships. Environment: Togo says it has planted nearly 39 million trees since 2021 under its one-billion-by-2030 drive, with 2026 targets focused on coastal erosion, forest regeneration and savannah restoration. Development Finance: The AfDB will inject $125m into ATIDI, making it the lender’s largest shareholder as it pushes more private capital into infrastructure. Transport & Industry: Spiro secured $215m to expand electric mobility and battery-swapping across seven African markets, including Togo. Regional Security: A Sahel-focused analysis highlights how Islamist groups like JNIM are exploiting instability in Mali amid political and military upheaval. People & Society: Lomé marked International Children’s Day with school activities and gifts, while the UN’s ILO chief urged that AI gains must reach workers through fair wages and protections.

Territorial Governance: Togo has inaugurated a national committee to settle administrative boundary disputes between municipalities, cantons and prefectures, aiming for an operational roadmap to reduce land-tenure tensions and local tax conflicts. Regional Trade & Mobility: Lomé hosted an ECOWAS dialogue/workshop on free movement and cross-border trade, focusing on the gap between regional rules and what traders and transporters face at borders. Local Climate Resilience: The Rotary Club of Lomé Zenith and partners planted mangroves in Aneho to help curb flooding, coastal erosion and storms, aligning with coastal protection efforts under WACA. Security & Diplomacy: A Togo-registered ship was linked to Taiwan’s submarine cable incident, with authorities reporting suspicious behavior near the cable area. Public Accountability: A rights-focused report warns of legal and physical risks for activists and journalists, including prolonged police custody beyond Togolese legal limits.

Local Governance: Togo has inaugurated a national committee to settle administrative boundary disputes between municipalities, cantons and prefectures, aiming for an operational roadmap to reduce land-tenure conflicts, tax frictions and local tensions. Regional Trade & Mobility: Lomé hosted an ECOWAS dialogue on free movement and cross-border trade, with stakeholders flagging the gap between ECOWAS rules and border realities like red tape, harassment and extortion. Territorial Administration: A separate Togo initiative is also pushing reforms around how boundaries are managed on the ground, with security and social cohesion considerations built into dispute handling. Civil Society & Rights: A rights-focused report warns that activists and journalists face overlapping physical, legal and psychological risks in Togo, including prolonged police custody beyond legal limits. International Spotlight: Taiwan’s coast guard says a Togo-registered cargo ship was involved in suspicious behavior near submarine cables, raising new concerns about gray-zone interference.

Immigration & Regional Transit: The US has sent another group of West Africans to Ghana under “third country” deportation arrangements, including at least one person with deportation protections, raising fears of onward transfers. Drug Trafficking: Niger says it seized 278kg of cocaine in its biggest bust so far, tracing the shipment’s route through Accra and passing via Togo, Benin and Nigeria before reaching Niger and heading toward Libya. ECOWAS Free Movement in Practice: Lomé hosted an ECOWAS dialogue/workshop with border officials, transporters and cross-border traders to tackle the gap between ECOWAS free-movement rules and everyday border realities like red tape and harassment. Local Governance & Boundaries: Togo inaugurated a national committee to resolve administrative boundary disputes between municipalities, cantons and prefectures, aiming for an operational roadmap and fewer land- and tax-related conflicts. Education & Industry Skills: Togo adopted a decree formalizing the governance framework of École Polytechnique de Lomé (EPL), positioning it as a stronger engineering and technology training hub. Trade & Integration: The Biashara Afrika forum in Lomé highlighted AfCFTA implementation moving from talks to practical cross-border trade action. Visa Policy Push: Togo’s visa-free move for African travellers continues to spread across the region, with Congo announcing visa removal for all Africans from 2027. Media Freedom Watch: Afrobarometer data flags shrinking perceived freedom of speech, with Togo among the countries scoring low on “complete” freedom.

ECOWAS & Cross-Border Trade: Lomé hosted a two-day ECOWAS dialogue on free movement and cross-border trade, bringing together transport operators, freight forwarders, women traders and border officials to tackle the gap between regional rules and daily realities like red tape, harassment and extortion. Territorial Governance: Togo inaugurated a national committee to resolve administrative boundary disputes between municipalities, cantons and prefectures, aiming for an operational roadmap and solutions that reduce land-tenure conflicts and local tax tensions. Local Development Planning: Greater Lomé municipal authorities fed proposals into Togo’s 2026–2031 roadmap drafting, with the plan framed around “Protect, Unite and Transform.” Education & Industry Skills: Togo issued a decree formalizing the governance framework of École Polytechnique de Lomé (EPL), positioning it as a leading engineering and technology training center as the country pushes industrial and digital transformation. Civic Space & Rights: A new report highlights risks faced by Togolese protesters and human rights defenders, including prolonged police custody beyond legal limits and the psychological toll of reprisals. Regional Media Freedom: Afrobarometer data shows perceived freedom of speech is shrinking across Africa, with Togo among the lowest scores.

Fuel Prices & Budget Pressure: Togo raised retail fuel prices effective May 27, 2026—unleaded gasoline to 725 CFA/liter (from 680) and diesel to 750 (from 695)—citing higher global oil costs and tighter finances, with enforcement via a Fuel Price Fluctuation Monitoring Committee. Higher Education Reform: The government issued a decree formalizing the governance framework of École Polytechnique de Lomé (EPL), built from the merger of ENSI and CIC, aiming to strengthen its legal status and expand advanced engineering and technology training. Local Planning for 2026–2031: Greater Lomé mayors and the DAGL met with the roadmap drafting committee to feed proposals into the next policy plan, structured around “Protect, Unite and Transform.” Industrial & Trade Push: Sokodé hosted a regional “Made in Togo” fair (May 26–28) to boost locally made goods, entrepreneurship, and value addition beyond Lomé. Civic Space Watch: A new Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile finds support for media freedom and the right to organise is high, but perceived freedom of speech is shrinking—Togo is among the lowest for “completely” free speech. Regional Integration: Congo announced visa-free entry for all Africans from Jan 1, 2027, joining a growing list that includes Togo. Security & Accountability: Orano faces trial in Paris over alleged negligence after workers were abducted by AQIM-linked militants in Niger in 2010, including a Togolese hostage.

Togo Visa Reform: Togo has scrapped entry visas for all African nationals from May 18, 2026 (up to 30 days), but travellers must complete an online pre-arrival registration at voyage.gouv.tg at least 24 hours before crossing. Fuel Prices & Subsidy Pressure: Togo raised retail fuel prices effective May 27: unleaded gasoline to 725 CFA/litre (from 680), diesel to 750 (from 695), kerosene to 1,040, and two-stroke to 811, citing higher global oil costs and tighter budget room. Economic Trajectory: INSEED says 2025 GDP grew 6.3% and GDP per capita is about $1,400, putting Togo near World Bank lower-middle-income status. Local Governance Planning: Greater Lomé authorities fed into Togo’s 2026–2031 roadmap drafting, with the plan framed around “Protect, Unite and Transform.” Education & Industry: A decree formalized the École Polytechnique de Lomé (EPL) governance after the ENSI/CIC merger, aiming to expand advanced engineering training. Regional Integration Push: Congo announced visa-free access for all Africans from Jan 1, 2027, joining the growing list that includes Togo. Energy & Infrastructure Finance: Abu Dhabi Fund for Development reports 92% completion on the Sokodé–Bassar road rehabilitation in Togo. Press Freedom Snapshot: Afrobarometer data flags a gap between citizens’ support for media freedom and perceived freedom in practice, with Togo among the lower scores. Dissent Under Scrutiny: Reports say President Faure Gnassingbé’s sister-in-law, Marguerite Gnakadé, was arrested in Lomé in 2025 after public criticism, with charges tied to alleged incitement.

Pan-African Mobility: Togo scrapped entry visas for all African nationals from May 18, allowing up to 30 days visa-free with mandatory online pre-arrival registration, as Lomé frames the move as openness and regional integration. Regional Policy Ripple: The Republic of Congo followed suit, announcing visa-free access for all Africans from Jan. 1, 2027, joining a growing list that includes Benin and Rwanda. Fuel & Cost of Living: Togo raised retail fuel prices effective May 27—gasoline to 725 CFA/liter and diesel to 750—citing higher global oil costs and subsidy pressure. Economic Planning: Greater Lomé authorities fed inputs into Togo’s 2026–2031 roadmap drafting, built around “Protect, Unite and Transform.” Education & Industry: Government issued a decree formalizing École Polytechnique de Lomé’s governance to boost advanced engineering training. Press Freedom Watch: A new Afrobarometer survey flags a widening gap between citizens’ support for media freedom and their perceived ability to speak freely, with Togo among the lower-perception cases.

Fuel Prices & Subsidy Pressure: Togo raised retail fuel prices effective May 27, with unleaded gasoline up to 725 CFA/liter (from 680) and diesel to 750 CFA/liter (from 695), citing higher global oil prices and tighter budget room. Pan-African Mobility: Togo also scrapped visa requirements for all African nationals from May 18, allowing up to 30 days visa-free entry after an online pre-arrival registration. Economy Watch: INSEED’s preliminary 2025 figures show GDP growth of 6.3% and GDP per capita around $1,400, putting Togo close to World Bank lower-middle-income status. Coastal Resilience: A World Bank visit to Aného reviewed WACA coastal protection works, including groyne completion and lagoon channel filling, aimed at reducing flooding and creating jobs. Maritime Security: IMO and regional states warned Somali piracy is “suppressed, but not eradicated,” highlighting the continued detention of the Palau-flagged tanker MT HONOUR 25 and other recent hijackings. Political Climate: Reports say Togo President Faure Gnassingbé’s sister-in-law, Marguerite Gnakadé, was arrested over dissent and calls for a peaceful transition, with allegations of due-process concerns.

Fuel Prices & Subsidy Pressure: Togo raised retail fuel prices effective May 27, with unleaded gasoline up to 725 CFA francs/liter (from 680) and diesel to 750 (from 695), citing higher global crude costs and tighter budget space. Pan-African Mobility: Togo also scrapped entry visa requirements for all African nationals (up to 30 days), but still requires an online pre-arrival registration at least 24 hours before travel. Economy Watch: Togo’s INSEED reported 2025 growth of 6.3% and GDP per capita around $1,400, putting the country within reach of World Bank lower-middle-income status. Coastal Resilience: A World Bank review visit in Aného highlighted progress under WACA coastal protection works, including completed groynes and lagoon channel filling. Maritime Security: IMO-linked regional states warned Somali piracy is resurging, naming a Togo-flagged tanker among recent hijackings. Political Climate: Reports say the president’s sister-in-law, Marguerite Gnakadé, was arrested in Lomé over dissent and alleged incitement to rebellion.