LOMÉ, 31 juillet 2026 — Togo is strategically positioning investors and businesses as central to achieving its long-term national aspirations. In a significant gathering held in Lomé on Thursday, July 30, government officials convened key economic stakeholders from across the country. The crucial discussion centered on a pivotal question: how can the private sector become a fundamental pillar in the economic transformation anticipated over the coming years?
The workshop, dedicated to exploring Vision Togo 2040 and the governmental Roadmap 2026-2031, saw participation from representatives of the World Bank Group, the Employers’ Association, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, prominent Togolese enterprises, and international experts. The proceedings were formally opened by Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister and Secretary-General of the Presidency of the Council, acting on behalf of the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.
A transformative national objective
Beyond the technical discussions lies an encompassing vision. By 2040, Togolese authorities aim to significantly elevate the average standard of living for citizens and reduce the national poverty rate to below 15%. To realize these ambitious targets, the government plans to increasingly leverage the private sector’s capacity for investment and job creation.
The assessment is unequivocal: the state cannot, by itself, bear the entire burden of such a profound economic transformation. Therefore, attracting greater capital, fostering the growth of domestic enterprises, and cultivating an environment conducive to investment are imperative.
From diagnosis to actionable strategies
It was precisely in this domain that the workshop aimed to yield solutions. Participants were tasked with examining the necessary conditions to transform the private sector from a mere economic participant into a fully integrated partner in public action. This critical reflection directly addresses investment conditions, business development, capital mobilization, and the initiation of new productive activities.
However, the ambition extends beyond merely articulating objectives. Authorities now seek to establish an operational framework capable of translating the directives of Vision Togo 2040 into tangible initiatives. The presence of the World Bank and international experts lends a particular significance to these discussions, allowing national strategies to be benchmarked against experiences and best practices observed in other economies.
The private sector urged to contribute its share
The unequivocal message from this gathering is clear: the forthcoming phase of Togo’s development will rely heavily on private enterprise and investment. Ultimately, the Lomé meeting signifies a crucial step in forging a new growth paradigm, aiming for an economy by 2040 that can substantially improve the living conditions of its populace.
For the Togolese authorities, the challenge now lies in translating this overarching ambition into concrete decisions, and subsequently transforming those decisions into measurable results. Only under these conditions will the objectives set for the coming years transcend mere projections and evolve into a tangible economic and social reality.
