Country Profile: Togo

Togo, located in Western Africa along the Bight of Benin, is bordered by Benin to the east and Ghana to the west. With a population estimated at nearly 8.9 million in 2024, it is one of the more densely populated nations on the continent. The country has a primarily agrarian economy, heavily reliant on agriculture and phosphate mining, with efforts underway for gradual economic reforms. Governed as a presidential republic, Togo has seen a shift towards democratic reforms, although political tensions and public unrest persist.

Geography

Togo's geography features a range of terrains from lush coastal plains to gently rolling savannas. The country covers an area of approximately 56,785 sq km, making it slightly smaller than West Virginia. It has a tropical climate in the south, becoming semi-arid in the north, which affects agricultural practices essential to its economy.

1,880 km of land borders with Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana
56 km of coastline along the Bight of Benin
70.2% of land allocated for agriculture (2023 estimate)
22.4% of land covered by forests (2023 estimate)
Highest point: Mont Agou at 986 m

People and Society

The population of Togo is approximately 8,917,994 as of 2024, characterized by a rich tapestry of ethnic groups and languages. The major ethnic groups include the Adja-Ewe and Kabye, with French being the official language. The society is predominantly Christian, with significant communities practicing folk religions and Islam.

42.4% of the population identifies as Adja-Ewe/Mina
Urban population at 44.5% (2023 estimate)
38.7% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2024 estimate)
Average life expectancy is 72.1 years (2024 estimate)
5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 estimate)

Economy

Togo's economy is classified as low-income and primarily agrarian, with agriculture contributing about 18% to its GDP. The country has been improving its privatization efforts and transparency in public budgeting. Phosphate mining remains a key sector, while international shipping is becoming increasingly significant due to Togo's deep-water port.

Real GDP projected at $27.115 billion (2024 estimate)
GDP growth rate of 5.3% (2024 estimate)
Gini Index of 37.9 (2021 estimate), indicating moderate income inequality
2% unemployment rate (2024 estimate)
45.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2018 estimate)

Government

Togo is a presidential republic, where the president is both the head of state and government. The current administration has been navigating through a slowly evolving democratic landscape, marked by recent electoral reforms and ongoing political tensions.

Capital city: Lome
The last constitutional revision was on 6 May 2024
Legislative branch consists of a bicameral parliament
18 years is the minimum voting age
Togo gained independence on 27 April 1960 from French administration

Military and Security

The Togolese Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, supported by the National Gendarmerie and Police. The military's focus includes external defense and internal security, particularly in combating increasing threats from regional terrorist groups.

20,000 active military personnel (2025 estimate)
2.2% of GDP allocated to military expenditures (2024 estimate)
Military service age is 18 years with a 24-month service obligation
The military has been involved in regional peacekeeping missions

Energy

Togo's energy sector is gradually expanding, with an electrification rate of 57.2% as of 2022. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, though there is a growing interest in renewable sources.

Installed electricity capacity: 326,000 kW (2023 estimate)
Electricity consumption reached 1.815 billion kWh (2023 estimate)
79.3% of electricity comes from fossil fuels (2023 estimate)
Rural electrification stands at 25% (2022 estimate)

Environment

Togo faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution. The government is part of various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues, balancing development with conservation efforts.

3.5% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022 estimate)
22.4% of land is dedicated to forest cover (2023 estimate)
Participates in the Paris Agreement and other environmental treaties
14.7 billion cubic meters of total renewable water resources (2022 estimate)

Transportation

The transportation infrastructure in Togo includes several airports and a modest railway system. The country has made efforts to improve its port facilities to enhance trade.

7 airports operational (2025 estimate)
568 km of railway lines in total
397 vessels registered in the merchant marine (2023 estimate)
Major ports include Kpeme and Lome

Communications

Togo's communication infrastructure includes fixed-line and mobile services, with an increasing number of internet users.

7.05 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 estimate)
37% of the population are internet users (2023 estimate)
Fixed broadband subscriptions total 114,000 (2023 estimate)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	8,917,994 (2024 est.)
Area	56,785 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$27.115 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	2% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	30.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	72.1 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	4.538 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Rural Electrification	25% (2022 est.)
Military Expenditure as % of GDP	2.2% (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	72.6% (2022 est.)