Country Profile: Togo

Togo, located in Western Africa, is bordered by Benin and Ghana along the Bight of Benin. With a population of approximately 9.1 million, it is one of the more densely populated nations in Africa, characterized by a diverse demographic featuring multiple ethnic groups and languages. The economy is primarily agrarian, heavily reliant on agriculture and phosphate mining, and has been undergoing gradual reforms towards improved governance since its independence from France in 1960. Despite ongoing challenges with political stability and economic disparities, Togo is making strides toward democratic governance and economic modernization.

Geography

Togo covers an area of 56,785 sq km, with a diverse landscape including coastal plains, hills, and savanna. The country experiences a tropical climate in the south, becoming semiarid in the north, and is home to vital natural resources such as phosphates and limestone.

1,880 km of total land boundaries with Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana.
70.2% of land is used for agriculture, with 22.4% forest cover.
Home to Mont Agou, Togo's highest point at 986 m.
The country has a 56 km coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
Togo is one of the most densely populated African nations, especially in the southern coastal areas.

People and Society

Togo's population is estimated at 9,143,439 (2025), with a youthful demographic—over 38.7% are aged 0-14. The country hosts around 37 different ethnic groups, predominantly the Adja-Ewe/Mina and Kabye/Tem. French is the official language, while various local languages are widely spoken, reflecting the country's cultural diversity.

42.3% of the population identify as Christian, and 36.9% practice folk religions.
The total fertility rate is 4.03 children per woman (2025).
Average life expectancy is 72.1 years (2024).
Urban population stands at 44.5% of the total (2023).
The literacy rate is 72.6% (2022), with significant gender disparities.

Economy

Togo's economy is classified as low-income and primarily agrarian, with 18% of its GDP from agricultural activities. The country benefits from a deep-water port in Lome, positioning it as a growing international shipping hub. Despite high rural poverty, Togo is working towards economic reforms, including privatization and improved budgetary transparency.

$27.115 billion estimated GDP (PPP) for 2024.
52% of the economy is driven by services (2024).
The unemployment rate is low at 2% (2024).
45.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2018).
Key exports include gold, refined petroleum, and phosphates.

Government

Togo is a presidential republic with a legal system based on customary law. The government comprises a bicameral parliament and a president who has significant authority. The political landscape has been evolving toward democratic reform since multi-party elections were introduced in the early 1990s.

The current president is Faure GNASSINGBE, who has been in power since 2005.
The Constitution was last amended in May 2024 to transition towards a parliamentary system.
Universal suffrage starts at 18 years of age.
Togo gained independence on April 27, 1960.

Military and Security

The Togolese Armed Forces are responsible for national defense and maintaining internal security. The military consists of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with ongoing reforms aimed at professionalizing the forces.

Military expenditures are approximately 2.2% of GDP (2024).
The armed forces consist of about 20,000 active personnel (2025).
Togo faces security challenges from terrorist groups, notably Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM).
The military has a history of political involvement, particularly during coups and civil unrest.

Energy

Togo’s energy sector is developing, with 57.2% of the population having access to electricity. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation but is beginning to diversify its energy sources.

326,000 kW installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
79.3% of total electricity generation comes from fossil fuels (2023).
1.815 billion kWh electricity consumption recorded (2023).
Rural electrification is significantly lower at 25%.

Environment

Togo faces environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and pollution. A significant portion of its land is used for agriculture, which contributes to land degradation.

70.2% of land is used for agricultural purposes (2023).
The country is a party to various environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement.
3.5% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).
Total water withdrawal for 2022 was 140.7 million cubic meters.

Transportation

Togo has developed infrastructure, including a network of roads and railways, and is home to a merchant marine fleet that supports international trade.

397 merchant marine vessels as of 2023.
568 km of railway lines (2014).
The country operates 7 airports as of 2025.
Main ports include Kpeme and Lome.

Communications

Togo's communication sector is evolving, with a significant number of mobile and internet subscriptions relative to its population.

7.69 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
Internet users make up 37% of the population (2023).
Fixed-line telephone subscriptions are only 67,000 (2023).
The country has 114,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,143,439	Estimated for 2025
Area	56,785 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$27.115 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	2%	Estimated for 2024
Electricity Access	57.2%	Estimated for 2022
Life Expectancy at Birth	72.1 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	30.17 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Literacy Rate	72.6%	Estimated for 2022
Urban Population	44.5%	Estimated for 2023
Agricultural Land Use	70.2%	Estimated for 2023