Togo’s President, Faure Gnassingbé, used his opening address at the UK–West and Central Francophone Africa (UK-WCAF) Forum in Lomé on Wednesday, November 12, to pitch the country as the fastest gateway for British investors seeking access to both Francophone and Anglophone West Africa. The two-day gathering, held in Togo for the first time, attracted hundreds of policymakers and business leaders from across the region.
Gnassingbé highlighted Togo’s strategic location, stressing that investing in the country offers entry to a growth corridor linking Lagos, Cotonou, Lomé, Accra, and Abidjan. “The region’s 450 million consumers represent significant untapped potential,” he said, encouraging British investors to explore emerging sectors such as green energy, digital finance, creative industries, and domestic processing of critical minerals.
Forum Marks First African Hosting
The 2025 UK–WCAF Forum marked the first edition held on African soil. Nearly 700 participants from around ten countries attended, engaging in policy dialogues, thematic panels, private sector roundtables, and B2B meetings aimed at converting political intent into tangible investment deals. Delegations also showcased recent market reforms designed to attract foreign capital.
Togo Showcases Business Climate Reforms
Togo used the forum to highlight its long-running reforms, including streamlined regulations, digitised public services, and improved customs procedures. Central to the pitch was the deep-water Port of Lomé, widely regarded as one of West Africa’s most efficient maritime hubs. Recent upgrades in container capacity, freight corridors, and border procedures have strengthened its role as a regional logistics anchor, connecting coastal and hinterland markets.
Officials emphasised that Togo’s combination of logistics infrastructure and fiscal reforms positions the country as competitive for manufacturing, agro-processing, and regional distribution.
MoU Signals Strengthened UK–Togo Engagement
A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Togolese government and British economic actors, covering infrastructure, agriculture, agro-industry, and other priority sectors. Both sides described the MoU as a commitment to structured cooperation, focusing on investment flows, technology transfer, and sustainable business partnerships.
President Gnassingbé urged participants to think beyond short-term projects, noting, “We encourage our British partners to look to the future with us. Invest not only in traditional infrastructure but also in Africa’s new growth frontiers.”