Country Profile: Togo

Togo, a small country located in Western Africa, is bordered by Ghana to the west and Benin to the east. With a population estimated at over 9 million, Togo is characterized by a diverse ethnic composition, predominantly comprising groups such as the Ewe and Kabye. The economy is primarily agrarian, with significant contributions from phosphate mining and agriculture. Governed as a presidential republic, Togo has been under the leadership of Faure Gnassingbé since 2005, transitioning gradually towards democratic reforms after decades of authoritarian rule.

Geography

Togo covers an area of 56,785 square kilometers and features a variety of geographic regions from tropical lowlands to savanna. The coastal area has extensive lagoons and marshes, while the north features gently rolling savanna. The country has a total coastline of 56 kilometers along the Bight of Benin and shares land boundaries with Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana.

Area: 56,785 sq km
Land boundaries: 1,880 km
Climate: Tropical in the south; semiarid in the north
Natural resources: Phosphates, limestone, marble
Elevation: Highest point at Mont Agou (986 m)

People and Society

Togo's population is approximately 9.1 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup that includes Adja-Ewe, Kabye, and Para-Gourma groups. The official language is French, with native languages such as Ewe and Kabye also widely spoken. The society is predominantly Christian (42.3%) and adheres to various folk religions and Islam.

Population (2025 est.): 9,143,439
Urban population: 44.5% (2023)
Literacy rate: 72.6% (2022)
Median age: 20.9 years (2025 est.)
Birth rate: 30.17 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Economy

Togo's economy is classified as low-income and primarily agrarian, with agriculture contributing significantly to GDP. The country has a growing phosphate mining industry and a deep-water port that enhances its international shipping capabilities. Togo faces challenges such as high rural poverty, though it has seen improvements in public budgeting transparency.

GDP (PPP) (2024 est.): $27.115 billion
Real GDP per capita (2024 est.): $2,800
Unemployment rate: 2% (2024 est.)
Exports (2023): $1.722 billion
Debt - external (2023 est.): $1.923 billion

Government

The Togolese Republic is a presidential republic with a legal system grounded in customary law. The current president is Faure Gnassingbé, who succeeded his father and has led the country through various elections aimed at increasing democratic governance. Togo is divided into five administrative regions and has a bicameral legislature.

Capital: Lomé
Independence: April 27, 1960
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years
Administrative divisions: 5 regions
Legislature (National Assembly): 113 seats (elected)

Military and Security

Togo's military, the Togolese Armed Forces, consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with the National Gendarmerie for internal security. The country faces security challenges, particularly from militant groups like Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), necessitating increased military operations along its borders.

Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Active military personnel: 20,000 (2025)
Military service age: 18-24 years
Focus areas: Border security, counter-terrorism
Military history: Involvement in political affairs since 1963

Energy

Energy access remains a significant challenge in Togo, with only 57.2% of the population having electricity. The country's energy generation is largely dependent on fossil fuels, complemented by solar and hydroelectric sources. Consumption of refined petroleum and natural gas is also notable.

Electricity access: 57.2% of total population (2022)
Installed generating capacity: 326,000 kW (2023)
Total energy consumption per capita: 4.538 million Btu (2023)
Coal consumption: 163,000 metric tons (2023)
Natural gas usage: 176.16 million cubic meters (2023)

Environment

Togo faces pressing environmental issues including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution. The agricultural practices contribute significantly to deforestation and land degradation, putting pressure on its remaining natural resources.

Environmental agreements: Party to multiple international accords, including Climate Change and Biodiversity
Urban population: 44.5% of total (2023)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.656 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Deforestation: A significant concern due to slash-and-burn agriculture
Waste recycling rate: 3.5% (2022)

Transportation

Togo’s transportation infrastructure includes air, rail, and maritime routes, with a growing network of civil aircraft and a merchant marine fleet. The country has made advancements in improving its road and airport facilities to boost trade and mobility.

Airports: 7 (2025)
Railways: 568 km (2014)
Merchant marine fleet: 397 vessels (2023)
Key ports: Kpeme, Lomé
Civil aircraft registration code: 5V

Communications

Telecommunications in Togo have seen growth, with increasing mobile phone subscriptions and internet usage. However, fixed-line subscriptions remain low. The media landscape includes state-owned and private broadcasting stations.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 7.69 million (2024)
Internet users: 37% of the population (2023)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 67,000 (2023)
Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV, multiple private stations
Internet country code: .tg

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,143,439 (2025 est.)
Area	56,785 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$27.115 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	30.17 births/1,000 (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	72.1 years (2024 est.)
Electricity Access	57.2% (2022 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	2.656 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Total Energy Consumption per Capita	4.538 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Literacy Rate	72.6% (2022 est.)