AGP Executive Report

US Visa Bonds: The US State Department expanded a B1/B2 visa bond programme, requiring eligible applicants from 50 countries to post deposits of $10,000–$20,000; 30 are African, while India is not on the list. Togo–Russia Business Push: Lomé hosted an intergovernmental commission meeting with Moscow, with plans to deepen cooperation in mining, energy, agriculture, trade, transport, IT, science and education, plus investment and customs talks. UEMOA Procurement Reform: UEMOA finance ministers adopted a directive to speed up public procurement across member states, including Togo, and also approved a 2026–2035 social protection strategy. Togo–Kyrgyzstan Space for Agriculture: Togo expanded cooperation with Kyrgyzstan to use satellite data for crop monitoring, drought detection and water/forest tracking, with training for Togolese specialists. Women’s SME Lending: Ecobank says it will mobilise $2.6bn for women-led lending and agribusiness across Africa, including South Sudan, using digital onboarding. Lomé Airport Sanitation Crisis: A sewage pipe rupture at Lomé’s main airport triggered public outrage and renewed calls for accountability over infrastructure maintenance. Energy & Jobs Regionally: Togo’s leaders backed the planned Dangote Lamu refinery in Kenya, positioned as a major East African refining and industrialisation boost.

Lomé Airport Sanitation Crisis: Lomé’s Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport faced a major public backlash after reports of a sewage “explosion” and passengers being splashed; the airport operator SALT later said it was an overflow from a siphon in the boarding area, with no injuries and no flight disruption, while cleaning teams were mobilized. Youth & Jobs Agenda: In Lomé, Francophone youth met to shape recommendations for the Phnom Penh Francophonie Summit, with employment, entrepreneurship, technical training and access to financing topping priorities. Space for Agriculture: Togo announced expanded cooperation with Kyrgyzstan on space technology after Kyrgyzstan launched its first satellite, aiming to use Earth-observation data to monitor crops, drought risk and water resources. Women SME Finance: Ecobank committed $2.6bn for women-led SME and agribusiness lending across Africa, including South Sudan, using digital onboarding to bring informal traders into banking. Payments Upgrade in Togo: BCEAO published an updated list of 175 authorized institutions for interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), with Togo among the participating markets. Energy & Industry Push: Togo-backed regional momentum continues around the $16bn Dangote Lamu refinery, while ECOWAS and EBID prepare EIF 2027 in Lomé to mobilize investment for West Africa’s transformation. Maritime Safety: India said five Indian nationals were safely shifted ashore after a Kuwait-flagged tanker was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz; the vessel is en route to Lomé.

Lomé Airport Sanitation Crisis: A sewage pipe failure at Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport turned the terminal into a contamination scene, triggering public outrage and renewed calls for accountability and deeper infrastructure maintenance. Banking Deal: Attijariwafa Bank agreed to buy Société Générale Ghana’s 55.22% stake (with SSNIT taking the rest), aiming to expand in English-speaking West Africa. Women’s SME Credit: Ecobank pledged $2.6bn in lending, including $2bn for women-owned businesses across Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030, with digital onboarding to bring informal traders into the formal system. Skills for Jobs: Togo’s AED and Chinese contractor WIETC signed a three-year pact to align work-study training at IFADs with construction and energy workforce needs, including priority recruitment for graduates. Regional Investment Push: EBID launched preparations for EIF 2027 in Lomé (April 7–8), targeting capital mobilisation for resilience, energy transition, SMEs, and green industrialisation. Payments Infrastructure: BCEAO authorised 175 institutions to offer interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), with Togo among the active markets. Agribusiness Prices: Togo set 2026/27 reference prices—cocoa at 2,240 FCFA/kg and coffee at 1,300 FCFA/kg—as the new campaign starts Oct. 1. Energy & Industry: Russia–Togo trade talks resumed via a Lomé intergovernmental commission, while the Dangote Lamu refinery groundbreaking in Kenya drew regional leaders and renewed debate over land, timelines, and regional fuel security.

ECOWAS Investment Push: EBID launched EIF 2027 in Lomé, setting April 7–8, 2027 for a drive to mobilize capital for energy, SMEs, climate and green industrialization under the theme “Resilience and Transformation.” Mega-Refinery Momentum: Aliko Dangote dismissed Kenya land protests, saying the $16bn, 700,000 bpd Lamu refinery will be ready by 2030; the groundbreaking drew leaders including Togo’s Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové and Benin’s Romuald Wadagni. Togo Cocoa & Coffee Prices: Togo set 2026–2027 reference prices—cocoa at 2,240 FCFA/kg and coffee at 1,300 FCFA/kg—aiming to stabilize producer incomes amid export volatility. Payments Upgrade in WAEMU: BCEAO published an updated list of 175 authorized participants to open interoperable instant payment services (PI-SPI), with Togo among the active markets. Togo-Russia Business Links: Russian officials visited Togo’s Adétikopé Industrial Platform to explore investment in energy and logistics, alongside plans to formalize business ties. Lomé Airport Incident Clarified: SALT said a reported “pipe explosion” was actually a siphon overflow, with no passenger injuries and no flight disruption. Burkina Faso Banking Giving: Coris Bank (Idrissa Nassa) donated 100m CFA francs to support children of fallen soldiers and volunteers.

Dangote Refinery Diplomacy: President Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové joined African leaders at the groundbreaking of Aliko Dangote’s $16bn, 700,000-bpd Lamu refinery in Kenya, pitching it as a boost to energy sovereignty, industrial jobs and regional integration. Legal & Market Tensions: The project faces a land dispute and court restrictions, while Dangote blames local marketers and some IOCs for protests—raising questions on how fast construction can move. ECOWAS Investment Push: EBID launched preparations for EIF 2027 in Lomé (April 7–8), aiming to mobilize capital for energy, SMEs, climate and green industrialization, with deal rooms and a focus on women and youth. Payments Upgrade in West Africa: BCEAO published the updated list of 175 authorized participants to open PI-SPI interoperable instant payments services, including fintech and mobile money players—Togo has 17. Togo Business & Procurement: ARCOP suspended a Maritime-region drinking-water procurement after an appeal by HYDROBAT/BSH. Agriculture Prices: Togo set 2026–2027 reference producer prices: cocoa at 2,240 FCFA/kg and coffee at 1,300 FCFA/kg. Digital Skills Funding: OIF-backed D-CLIC at Aného’s CLAC received nearly CFAF 300m, training youth in web, digital comms and AI with job placement support. Togo-Russia Trade Talks: CCI-Togo proposed a Togo-Russia Business Council to move from one-off deals to joint production and partnerships.

Dangote Refinery in Kenya: Aliko Dangote and Kenya’s William Ruto broke ground on a $16bn, 700,000-bpd East Africa refinery in Lamu, with leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Togo and Benin attending; the project is pitched as a regional energy-security and industrialisation push, with completion targeted for 2030. Court Fight Over Land: Work faces disruption after 133 residents filed a petition over ancestral land, with a court order halting activities until an Oct. 14 hearing; Dangote says protests are driven by marketers and international players. ECOWAS Rail Financing: EBID approved a $100m facility for Nigeria’s Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway phase 2, alongside other regional approvals. Togo Procurement Dispute: ARCOP suspended a Maritime-region drinking-water procurement procedure after an appeal by HYDROBAT/BSH, temporarily stopping the process. Togo Health Insurance Standoff: Private clinics suspended third-party payment for 72 hours, forcing insured patients to pay upfront before reimbursement. Togo Agriculture Prices: Togo set 2026/27 coffee and cocoa producer prices ahead of the Oct. 1 season start. Women at Work: ITUC-Africa and the ILO urged stronger protection and leadership for women workers, including better implementation of anti-harassment rules.

Dangote Refinery Push: Aliko Dangote broke ground on a $16bn East Africa refinery in Kenya’s Lamu, targeting 700,000 bpd by 2030 and cutting the region’s dependence on imported refined fuel, with leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia, Togo and Benin attending. Togo Coffee & Cocoa: Togo set 2026/27 producer prices at CFAF 1,300/kg for coffee and CFAF 2,240/kg for cocoa as exports fell sharply in 2025/26, while output rose. Energy & Trade Infrastructure: BOAD approved CFAF 37bn (about $64m) to expand Lomé’s COMPEL petroleum storage by 170,000 m³, reinforcing Lomé’s role as a fuel distribution gateway. Regional Investment Pipeline: EBID kicked off preparations for the 2027 ECOWAS Investment Forum in Lomé (April 7-8), with a project pipeline seeking financing. Business-Climate Finance: EBID also approved a $10m facility to pilot climate-smart agriculture in Togo, Ghana and Senegal. Procurement & Insurance Tensions: ARCOP suspended a Maritime drinking-water procurement after a bidder appeal, while private clinics in Togo paused third-party payments over unpaid bills. Women at Work: ITUC-Africa and the ILO urged stronger protection and leadership for women in Africa’s labour markets, spotlighting gaps on violence and harassment. Russia-Togo Business Talks: Lomé hosted the Russia–Togo intergovernmental commission’s expert consultations, with trade, energy and transport on the agenda.

Diplomacy & Peace: President Faure Gnassingbé hosted an urgent high-level meeting in Lomé with Congolese minister Floribert Anzuluni, receiving a confidential communiqué from Félix Tshisekedi on pathways for disarming armed groups and reintegrating ex-combatants in Eastern DRC, as AU mediation gains momentum. Tourism & Data: Togo says it topped 500,000 tourist arrivals in 2024 and is pushing a Tourism Satellite Account to better measure tourism’s economic contribution, alongside plans to boost longer stays and spending. Agribusiness Prices: Coffee and cocoa producer prices for 2026-2027 are set to start Oct. 1 (CFAF 1,300/kg coffee; CFAF 2,240/kg cocoa) after export declines in the prior season. Water Infrastructure: Kara’s CFAF 27bn project launched to expand drinking water access for 40,000 additional households, targeting higher production and reliability. Climate-Smart Farming Finance: EBID approved a $10m facility to support WAICSA’s pilot phase in Togo, Ghana and Senegal. Trade & Business: Togo is also consulting on AU migration governance in Lomé and continues efforts to ease mobility for African nationals. Markets & Safety: Anié’s Grand Marché fire left hundreds of traders ruined, reigniting calls for real fire-safety and infrastructure upgrades.

Tourism & Data: Togo says it hit 500,000+ tourist arrivals in 2024 and is pushing to turn higher numbers into more spending, including longer stays, better visitor services and a Tourism Satellite Account to measure tourism’s real economic weight. Coffee & Cocoa Prices: Togo sets new 2026-2027 producer prices—CFAF 1,300/kg for coffee and CFAF 2,240/kg for cocoa—as the season opens Oct. 1 after export declines. Water Infrastructure: Kara’s CFAF 27bn water project is launched to add supply for 40,000 more households, boosting daily production and access to drinking water. Climate-Smart Farming Finance: EBID approved a $10m facility to pilot climate-smart agriculture in Togo, Ghana and Senegal. Trade & Logistics: Togo’s push for smoother mobility is echoed by Lomé talks on the AU Migration Advisory Council, while regional trade debates highlight the need for efficient ports and better connectivity. Market Shock in Anié: A major fire at Anié’s Grand Market has traders demanding real reconstruction and fire-safety upgrades, not repeated promises. Business & Investment Links: Togo and the UAE sign a visa-waiver deal for diplomatic passport holders, supporting wider cooperation on projects and partnerships. Mining Update: TomaGold reports expanded Berrigan Deep mineralization after final Phase 2 extension drilling results.

Togo Tourism Data Push: Togo resumed work on its Tourism Satellite Account in Davié to better measure tourism’s real economic contribution, using harmonised definitions and procedures to strengthen planning and policy. Greater Lomé Sanitation Upgrade: Togo and Hungary are moving to speed Greater Lomé sludge treatment, with two fecal sludge plants planned for Aképé and Djagblé under a 2025 framework. SME Tools for Better Cashflow: B Pilot, a new Lomé-launched web app, helps small businesses track revenue/expenses, invoices and quotes, with tiered pricing and data protection features. Mobile Network Quality Watch: ARCEP’s 2026 monitoring shows YAS leads overall service quality (75.15% vs 54.07% for MAT), though mobile internet performance is more mixed outside Greater Lomé. Women & Agribusiness Finance: Ecobank says it will build a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-led businesses and agricultural SMEs, combining credit with training and digital tools. Visa Deal for Diplomats: Togo and the UAE signed a visa-waiver agreement for diplomatic passport holders to ease official travel and follow-up on bilateral projects. Regional Context: West Africa’s climate-finance gap is flagged as a debt-and-cost trap, while Interpol’s “Operation Screen” reports major border arrests and seizures across the region.

Tourism Data Push: Togo has resumed work on a Tourism Satellite Account in Davié to better measure tourism’s real contribution to the economy, using harmonized definitions and improved statistics. Fuel Pricing Debate: Nigerian energy expert Prof. Izielen Agbon says fuel subsidy is a “mirage” and argues pump prices should fall if refining and production costs are tackled; he also claims Dangote Refinery effectively sets Nigeria’s petrol prices via an oligopoly dynamic and re-import trade. Regional Energy Finance: BOAD approved an 8 billion FCFA loan to Mali’s SOTRAKA SA to help import about 20 million liters of fuel, alongside other UEMOA energy and storage funding. SME Digital Tool: Lomé launched B Pilot, a low-cost web app for small businesses to track revenue/expenses, invoices, and quotes, with data protection built in. Mobile Network Quality: ARCEP’s 2026 monitoring shows YAS leads overall service quality nationally, though mobile Internet performance is more mixed in Greater Lomé. Diplomacy & Infrastructure: Togo and the UAE signed a visa-waiver for diplomatic passport holders, while Hungary talks focused on speeding Greater Lomé sludge treatment plants. Youth & Skills: JA Africa and Z Zurich Foundation will equip 20,000 young people across Togo, DRC and Burkina Faso with entrepreneurship and financial literacy to support livelihoods. Water Access Impact: The African Water Facility says its projects have improved water access for 23.2 million people and sanitation for 11.3 million.

Drug Enforcement: NDLEA arrested a 25-year-old newlywed businessman, Lovely Chukwulobelu, at Enugu airport for allegedly ingesting 72 wraps of cocaine meant for Portugal; he was placed under excretion observation and expelled the drugs, with the suspect claiming he turned to trafficking to cover wedding costs. Airport Interdictions: In Lagos, NDLEA seized 2.55 million opioid pills (1,640.55kg) at MMIA from consignments imported via Qatar Airways, RwandAir and Ethiopian Airlines, as part of wider raids across multiple states. Togo Business & Finance: Lomé-based B Pilot launched in Togo to help small businesses manage revenue/expenses, invoices and quotes via phone or computer, with tiered pricing and a focus on data protection. Mobile Quality in Togo: ARCEP’s 2026 monitoring shows YAS leads overall service quality (75.15% vs 54.07% for Moov), though neither operator fully meets regulatory standards; results also highlight stronger performance in Greater Lomé than outside it. SME Lending: Ecobank says it will build a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-led businesses ($2bn) and agricultural SMEs ($600m), pairing credit with training and digital tools.

Ecobank Lending Push: Lomé-based Ecobank says it will build a $2.6bn loan portfolio by 2030 for women-led SMEs ($2bn via Ellever) and agricultural SMEs ($600m), pairing credit with training and digital tools to reach hundreds of thousands of women entrepreneurs. BOAD Financing for Togo: The West African Development Bank approved CFAF 82bn for Togo—CFAF 45bn for agricultural mechanization and irrigation (ProMAI) and CFAF 37bn to expand petroleum storage at COMPEL SA, boosting energy security and regional logistics. Togo Visa Reform: Togo’s May 2026 move to waive visas for all African nationals (up to 30 days, with passport and online registration) is highlighted as a rare step toward easier intra-Africa travel. Cyber Risk in Extractives: Ghana’s mining, oil and gas leaders met to discuss how cyberattacks, fraud and AI misuse can disrupt operations and critical infrastructure. Drug Trafficking Crackdown (Nigeria): NDLEA reports a newlywed caught ingesting 72 cocaine wraps at Enugu airport and a separate seizure of 2.55m opioid pills at Lagos’ MMIA. Sports (Togo vs Zambia): Zambia’s Chipolopolo began recovery after losing to Algeria and will host Togo on 29 September, with fans urged to back the rebuilding effort.

Banking & SMEs: Ecobank says it will mobilize $2.6bn by 2030 to expand credit for women-led businesses ($2bn) and agricultural SMEs ($600m), aiming to reach 400,000 formal women-led firms and up to 1m micro-entrepreneurs via digital onboarding and risk-sharing guarantees. Development Finance (Togo): BOAD approved CFAF 82bn for Togo—CFAF 45bn for agricultural mechanization and irrigation (ProMAI) and CFAF 37bn to expand petroleum storage at Lomé’s COMPEL. Agribusiness Deal (Ghana–Togo): IFC backed Ghana’s Complete Farmer with a $2.4m convertible loan plus $480k advisory support to extend input financing and agronomy services to smallholders in Ghana and Togo. Trade & Investment: The Volta Economic Forum in Ghana focused on moving from “opportunity showcases” to bankable projects and execution. Policy & Regional Integration: Togo’s UN-backed push helped secure adoption of a new UN world map using equal-area projection, supported by 164 countries. Climate & Security: ECOWAS lawmakers warned that shrinking land and water are fueling farmer-herder tensions and broader insecurity, calling for a regional climate resilience fund.

Togo Business & Finance: Ecobank says it will mobilize $2.6bn by 2030 to back women-led businesses ($2bn) and agri value chains ($600m), aiming to expand formal women clients to 400,000 and reach up to 1m micro-entrepreneurs with digital onboarding and tailored credit. BOAD Lending for Togo: The West African Development Bank approved CFAF 82bn for Togo—CFAF 45bn for agricultural mechanization and irrigation (ProMAI) and CFAF 37bn to expand petroleum storage at Lomé’s COMPEL, boosting regional energy security. Agribusiness Deal: Ghana’s Complete Farmer secured an IFC $2.4m convertible loan (plus $480k advisory) to expand input financing and agronomy services for smallholders across Ghana and Togo, targeting 240,000 farmers by 2030. Aviation & Trade: ASKY targets 30 aircraft and 40 destinations in five years, with plans for intercontinental routes and a $100m Lomé MRO facility. Policy & Regional Integration: Togo’s visa-free policy for all African nationals (up to 30 days) is highlighted as the continent pushes for easier intra-African travel. Climate Governance: ECOWAS Parliamentarians in Accra urged action on climate-driven displacement and insecurity, calling for a Regional Climate Resilience Fund and stronger early-warning systems.

Climate & Security: ECOWAS Parliamentarians in Accra warned that climate change is now a regional security threat, linking droughts, floods, land degradation and displacement to rising farmer-herder tensions and insecurity, and urged a Regional Climate Resilience Fund plus stronger early-warning systems. Togo-Rwanda Ties: Togo and Rwanda signed MoUs and a framework agreement to deepen bilateral cooperation, including regular political consultations and a joint commission to coordinate priority projects. Banking for Women & Agri: Ecobank says it will mobilize $2.6bn by 2030 for women-led businesses and agricultural value chains, aiming to expand formal women clients and finance the full farm-to-market chain. BOAD Financing for Togo: BOAD approved CFAF 82bn for Togo—CFAF 45bn for agricultural mechanization/irrigation and CFAF 37bn to expand petroleum storage at Lomé’s COMPEL. Trade & Markets: Lomé will host the FANAF insurance markets forum (Nov 2-3) on unpaid premiums under CIMA rules, while Accra hosts Togo-Ghana B2B Connect (Sept 25-27) to spur cross-border partnerships. UN Map Shift: The UN General Assembly backed a new world map using equal-area projection, with Togo leading the push to correct Mercator distortions that have long made Africa look smaller.