AGP Executive Report

Digital Governance & Skills: Africa’s WSIS+20 push is shifting from building connectivity to strengthening digital institutions, skills, financing, and AI readiness—an approach echoed by calls for better digital regulation. Local Innovation Protection: In Lomé, FAO-backed training is helping entrepreneurs patent and trademark farm innovations using prior-art searches, aiming to make value chains less informal and more competitive. Data Protection Policy: Nigeria’s data protection debate highlights the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the practical challenge of relying too heavily on consent, with a new “Legal Basis” push to improve real-world compliance. Health Lab Capacity: JICA, Noguchi and WHO partners trained infectious-disease lab professionals from six countries, including Togo, boosting skills in biosafety, virology and lab quality systems. Energy & Regional Integration: ECOWAS has signed the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline deal, a 6,000–6,900 km corridor expected to start delivering gas in 2031 and crossing Togo among many states. Togo Solar Oversight: AT2ER seeks a consultant to monitor and evaluate the Awandjelo solar project in Kara, funded by BOAD, with technical and environmental performance checks. Coastal & Flood Risk: West Africa’s recent deadly floods are being linked to climate-driven rainfall intensification plus urban expansion impacts, while marine protection moves forward as Benin designates its first coral reef reserve.

Energy & Power (Togo): AT2ER is seeking an international consultant to monitor and evaluate the Awandjelo 42 MWp solar project in Kara, funded by BOAD, with a CFA 100 million contract and a July 31, 2026 deadline. Health & Research (West Africa): JICA says it will keep strengthening laboratory capacity and biomedical research networks, training eight health professionals from Togo and other countries through parasitology, bacteriology, virology, and biosafety modules at NMIMR. Regional Energy (ECOWAS): ECOWAS has approved the $25 billion Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,000–6,900 km Atlantic corridor expected to start construction in 2028 and deliver gas from 2031, including Togo along the route. Climate & Cities (Gulf of Guinea): A new World Weather Attribution study links recent West African floods to human-driven climate change and warns rapid urban growth into floodplains is worsening impacts in places including Togo and Ghana. Security & Borders (Customs tech): Benin and Nigeria completed Operation GEOCONTROL, using geospatial intelligence to make 37 seizures along the border after GEOINT training supported by WCO and JICA. Local Governance (Togo): Togo’s territorial ministry is meeting the African Union to explore partnerships for local development, capacity building, and support for women and youth. Aviation (Ghana): A Brussels Airlines flight bound for Lomé returned to Accra after a technical fault shortly after take-off, with no injuries reported. Industry Event: Women in Construction CONNECT is set for Oct 7 in Dubai, with limited spots for professionals across construction and real estate supply chains.

Aviation Safety: Brussels Airlines’ SN278 flight bound for Lomé returned to Accra minutes after take-off due to a technical fault; passengers were safely landed and the airline cancelled the evening departure for engineering checks while Ghana’s aviation regulator said the cause is under investigation. Biomedical Training: JICA and partners ran an eight-week third-country programme at Ghana’s NMIMR, training health professionals from Togo and other West African countries in lab quality, biosafety and key lab disciplines to strengthen outbreak-ready networks. Solar Power Oversight (Togo): Togo’s AT2ER is hiring an international consultant to monitor and evaluate the Awandjelo 42MW-peak solar project in Kara, funded by BOAD, with a CFA100m contract and submissions due July 31. Regional Energy Deal: ECOWAS leaders signed off on the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco Atlantic Gas Pipeline, spanning multiple countries including Togo, with construction targeted from 2028 and first deliveries in 2031. Climate & Flood Risk: A World Weather Attribution study says human-driven climate change made West Africa’s recent floods more intense and more frequent, with rapid urban growth worsening impacts. Customs Tech (Benin–Nigeria): Operation GEOCONTROL used geospatial intelligence to coordinate border enforcement and led to 37 seizures. Togo–AU Local Development: Togo’s territorial ministry met AU officials to explore partnerships for local governance, capacity building and youth/women economic empowerment.

ECOWAS Appointments: ECOWAS leaders approved new statutory posts for 2026–2030, including Togo’s Yaouza Ouro-Sama as a judge at the ECOWAS Court of Justice, plus new commissioners and an Auditor-General/WAHO Director-General. Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS also signed off on the $25bn Nigeria–Morocco African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, a 6,000–6,900 km hybrid route expected to move 30 bcm of gas yearly from 2031, passing through Togo and other Atlantic states. Climate & Flood Risk: A World Weather Attribution study says human-driven climate change made West African floods more intense and more likely, while rapid urban growth into floodplains worsened damage in places including Togo and Ghana. Togo Development & Digital: The World Bank’s Anna Bjerde visited Togo to discuss jobs, resilience and coastal protection, alongside new financing deals covering transport, electrification, natural gas and digital ID. Local Governance: Togo’s ministry began talks with the African Union on partnerships for local development, capacity building and youth/women empowerment. Security Tech at Borders: Benin and Nigeria concluded Operation GEOCONTROL, using geospatial intelligence to map smuggling routes and make 37 seizures along the border. Togo Tech in Focus: Togo unveiled an AI project to promote national languages.

Coastal Resilience Debate: Ghana’s WACA ResIP 2 sea defence delays are drawing sharp criticism from climate activists, who warn that treating Southern Volta’s coast as “too poor to save” echoes colonial-era thinking—while World Bank funding and project rollout timelines raise questions about who gets protected and when. Climate & Flood Risk: A new World Weather Attribution study says human-driven climate change has made West Africa’s extreme rainfall about five times more likely and stronger, with rapid urban growth and weaker drainage leaving cities in Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria exposed to deadly flash floods. World Bank in Togo: World Bank MD Anna Bjerde visited Togo to discuss development priorities and signed about $429m in new financing for transport, electrification, natural gas, lagging regions and digital ID, with jobs and private-sector growth at the center. Local Development via AU: Togo’s territorial administration opened talks with the African Union on partnerships for local governance, capacity building, peace and economic empowerment for women and youth. Security & Borders Tech: Benin and Nigeria concluded Operation GEOCONTROL, a geospatial-intelligence-led customs operation that produced 37 seizures along the border corridor. Togo Industry Spotlight: SNPT’s Abalo Michel Kezie is pushing equipment renewal and more local value in phosphate mining and processing, while cotton leadership profiles highlight long-running modernization efforts. EV Trucks in Ghana: A Chinese firm unveiled electric dump trucks in Ghana, signaling a push toward greener construction fleets in West Africa.

Climate & Cities: A new World Weather Attribution study says human-driven climate change made West Africa’s late-June floods far more likely and more intense, with rapid urban growth into floodplains and weaker drainage amplifying the damage across Ghana, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. World Bank in Togo: World Bank MD Anna Bjerde visited Lomé and discussed job creation as Togo’s top priority, alongside new financing deals (transport, electrification, natural gas, lagging regions, and digital ID) and next steps for coastal protection and the Port of Lomé. Digital & Cybersecurity: Togo and Luxembourg signed three agreements in Lomé covering environmental protection, development cooperation, and the TogoCyber+ cybersecurity programme. Energy Infrastructure (DRC–Tanzania): SNEL and Tanesco resumed talks on a proposed 400-kilovolt interconnection with multiple grid-link options under review. Customs Tech (Benin–Nigeria): Benin and Nigeria completed a WCO-led geospatial intelligence customs operation, making 37 seizures using mapped smuggling routes and risk profiling. Togo Industry: SNPT leadership highlighted equipment renewal and local value-add in Togo’s phosphate sector, while cotton-sector leadership updates point to continued modernization. Maritime Risk: A Russian strike in Odesa hit a Togo-flagged cargo vessel, killing crew and raising concerns about attacks on civilian shipping.

Climate & Flood Risk: A new World Weather Attribution study says human-driven climate change made the Gulf of Guinea’s late-June extreme rainfall about five times more likely and boosted its intensity by 4% to 23%, with flash floods killing people in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo and threatening water, sanitation and food security. Digital & Cyber Cooperation: Togo signed three deals with Luxembourg in Lomé to fund environmental work (INCLURE), support development cooperation, and strengthen cybersecurity for digital public services (TogoCyber+). Local Development Partnerships: Togo’s Local Governance ministry met the African Union to explore AU-backed support for decentralization, capacity building, peace and economic empowerment for women and youth. Energy Infrastructure Talks: DRC and Tanzania resumed talks on a 400-kilovolt power interconnection, reviewing three grid-connection options and comparing AC vs DC systems. Customs Tech at Borders: Benin and Nigeria completed Operation GEOCONTROL, using geospatial intelligence to coordinate enforcement and record 37 seizures along the border corridor. Togo Industry Leadership: SNPT’s Abalo Michel Kezie is pushing equipment renewal and more local value in phosphate mining and processing amid market volatility and environmental pressures. EV Manufacturing Push: Ghana’s Zonda Tec unveiled electric dump trucks assembled in Ghana, signaling a push for greener construction fleets across West Africa.

Togo-AU Local Development Talks: Togo’s Ministry of Territorial Administration met the African Union to explore partnerships on local development, capacity building, peace and security, and economic empowerment for women and youth, as the country pushes decentralization with 117 municipalities. Togo-Luxembourg Tech & Environment Deals: Togo and Luxembourg signed three agreements in Lomé covering INCLURE (environment), the PIC cooperation framework, and TogoCyber+ to strengthen cybersecurity for digital public services. SNPT Phosphate Modernization: SNPT CEO Abalo Michel Kezie says equipment renewal and expanded local processing aim to boost value, jobs, and sustainable mining amid volatile markets. Cotton Leadership Update: Nana Adam Nanfamé, a long-time cotton engineer and former NSCT leader, was appointed chairman of the cotton company’s board. Regional Power Grid Planning: DRC and Tanzania resumed talks on a proposed 400-kV interconnection, reviewing three line options and prefeasibility study scenarios. Climate & Flood Risk: A new study links West Africa’s late-June floods to human-driven climate change, finding extreme rainfall about five times more likely and urging urgent adaptation. Customs Tech at the Border: Benin and Nigeria concluded Operation GEOCONTROL, using geospatial intelligence to map smuggling routes and make 37 seizures. Togo-Flagged Vessel Hit: Russia struck a Togolese-flagged merchant ship in Odesa, killing crew and damaging port infrastructure.

SNPT Modernization: SNPT’s CEO Abalo Michel Kezie says the phosphate push is getting an equipment renewal to boost extraction and processing at Kpémé, aiming to add more value locally and mine more sustainably. Cotton Leadership: Nana Adam Nanfamé, a veteran of Togo’s cotton value chain, is profiled for his long career from field offices to leading reforms at NSCT after his 2016 appointment. Electricity Interconnection Talks: DRC and Tanzania resumed talks on a 400-kilovolt power link, weighing three grid-connection routes and two technical scenarios for the interconnector. Togo–Luxembourg Tech & Green Deals: Togo signed three agreements with Luxembourg for environmental financing (INCLURE), development cooperation, and the TogoCyber+ cybersecurity program. Local Development via AU: Togo’s territorial ministry met the AU to explore partnerships for local development, capacity building, and support for women and youth as municipalities expand. Climate Flood Risk: A study says human-driven climate change made West Africa’s extreme coastal rainfall about five times more likely, with flooding impacts across Togo and the region. Connectivity Resilience: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West cable to improve route diversity and reduce the impact of undersea cable disruptions. Maritime Safety: Reports say a Russian strike hit a Togo-flagged cargo vessel in Odesa, killing crew and raising concerns for civilian shipping.

Togo–Luxembourg Digital & Green Deals: Togo signed three cooperation agreements in Lomé covering environmental financing (INCLURE), a broader indicative cooperation framework, and the TogoCyber+ cybersecurity programme—aimed at protecting ecosystems and strengthening digital public services. Togo AU Local Development Talks: Togo’s territorial ministry opened discussions with the African Union on new partnerships for local development, including capacity building, peace and security, and economic empowerment for women and youth, as the country pushes decentralization through its 117 municipalities. Climate Shock in the Gulf of Guinea: A new study says human-driven climate change made West Africa’s late-June extreme rainfall about five times more likely, with floods hitting coastal cities from Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria and killing people including in Togo. Border Tech for Customs Enforcement: Benin and Nigeria concluded an eight-day geospatial intelligence-led Customs operation (GEOCONTROL) that produced 37 seizures, showing how mapping and risk profiling are being used to disrupt smuggling routes. Energy Skills Pipeline: Energy Transition Africa selected a founding class of 15 Pan-African fellows from eight countries (including Togo) to train on tackling Africa’s energy crisis. EV Industry Push in Ghana: A Chinese firm launched EV dump trucks in Ghana, highlighting a regional shift toward cleaner transport for construction fleets.

AI for Languages: Togo is pitching an “AI for Good” project to build open-source language datasets and train models for translation, speech recognition and public-service access across Ewe, Mina, Kabiyè, Tem, Moba and Bassar. Digital & Green Partnerships: Togo and Luxembourg signed three deals backing INCLURE (environment), Togo-Luxembourg cooperation, and TogoCyber+ to strengthen cybersecurity for digital public services. Customs Tech at the Border: Benin and Nigeria concluded a WCO-led GEOINT operation using geospatial intelligence, risk profiling and field coordination to identify smuggling hotspots and seize illicit goods. Climate & Flood Risk: Scientists say extreme Gulf of Guinea rainfall is now about five times more likely due to human-driven climate change, with rapid urban growth and floodplain settlement raising exposure—Togo was among the hardest hit. Security Watch: The UN warns extremist groups are expanding across West Africa and the Sahel, adapting with drones, new communications and cryptocurrencies, while terrorism increasingly links with drug trafficking. Togo in the News: A Russian strike in Odesa hit a Togolese-flagged cargo vessel, killing crew and damaging port infrastructure. Mining Update: TomaGold reported drill results extending the Berrigan Deep Zone in Québec, supporting strong continuity of a polymetallic hydrothermal system. Connectivity: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West cable to boost route diversity and resilience for internet links across West and Central Africa.

Maritime Safety & Food Security: Russia struck a Togo-flagged civilian cargo vessel in Odesa, killing three crew and injuring five, while port infrastructure was also damaged—another reminder of how attacks on shipping can ripple into global trade and food supply. Political Rights & Governance: A wider West Africa pattern is emerging of opposition crackdowns, from arrests and speech prosecutions to party suspensions and dissolutions, as leaders tighten control. Climate & Disaster Risk: Scientists say extreme West Africa rainfall is now about five times more likely due to climate change, with floods killing dozens across the Gulf of Guinea and overwhelming drainage in fast-growing coastal cities. Security & Tech-Enabled Extremism: The UN warns terrorist groups are expanding toward coastal states, using drones, new communications and cryptocurrencies, while drug trafficking increasingly funds violence. Togo Digital & Language Tech: Togo will use AI to preserve national languages, building open datasets and training models for translation and speech tools. Cybersecurity & Environment Partnerships: Togo and Luxembourg signed agreements supporting environmental conservation and cybersecurity, including the TogoCyber+ programme. Connectivity: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West cable to boost regional internet resilience. Health Data Capacity: Rwanda is sharing its national health intelligence approach with Togo and other countries to strengthen data-driven healthcare.

Deforestation & Cocoa Supply Chains: Liberia’s last rainforests in Grand Gedeh are being cleared fast for cacao, with “cocoa rush” expansion and a gasoline-burning method tied to migrant workers from Côte d’Ivoire. Climate Risk for West Africa: Scientists say extreme coastal rainfall is now about five times more likely than in the late 1800s, with floods killing dozens across Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo and overwhelming drainage in fast-growing cities. Togo–Luxembourg Tech & Environment Deals: Togo signed three agreements in Lomé to fund INCLURE (ecosystem conservation), expand development cooperation, and scale TogoCyber+ to strengthen cybersecurity for digital public services. AI for Local Languages: Togo plans an AI for Good project to build open datasets and models for major Togolese languages, aiming to improve translation and digital service access. Connectivity Resilience: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West cable to boost route diversity and reduce the impact of undersea cable cuts on regional internet. Mining Update (Québec): TomaGold reported new assay results from extended drill hole TOM-25-009EXT, saying it confirms strong vertical and lateral continuity of the Berrigan Deep polymetallic system over 250+ metres. Security Watch: The UN warns extremist groups are rapidly expanding toward Gulf of Guinea coastal states, using drones, communications and cryptocurrencies.

Climate & Disaster Risk: Scientists say extreme West Africa rainfall is now about five times more likely than in the late 1800s, with climate change boosting both the odds and intensity of the downpours that triggered deadly floods across the Gulf of Guinea, including Togo. Digital & Cybersecurity Diplomacy: Togo and Luxembourg signed three agreements in Lomé to fund environmental protection (INCLURE), support development cooperation, and strengthen the TogoCyber+ cybersecurity push for digital public services. AI for Languages: Togo unveiled an AI project at the AI for Good summit to build open datasets and train models for local languages, aiming to improve digital access and reduce language underrepresentation in AI. Connectivity Resilience: CSquared added capacity on the 2Africa West submarine cable to diversify routes and reduce the impact of cable landing disruptions across West and Central Africa. Health Data Systems: Rwanda is hosting a regional learning exchange on national health intelligence systems, with Togo among participating countries, to help shift healthcare decisions toward locally owned data. Security Tech & Extremism: The UN warns extremist groups across West Africa and the Sahel are using drones, communications tools, and cryptocurrencies, increasingly targeting coastal states. Border Tech & Trade Security: Nigeria and Benin customs are testing geospatial tools to spot border vulnerabilities and deploy officers more effectively along a major trade corridor.

Climate & Disaster: Scientists say West Africa’s late-June floods were “supercharged” by global heating, overwhelming drainage across Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Nigeria and displacing thousands. Security Tech: The UN warns extremist groups are expanding across the Sahel and now targeting Gulf of Guinea coastal states, using drones, new communications and cryptocurrencies. Togo AI & Languages: Togo AI Lab, with Zindi and Umbaji, is building AI models to understand, translate and generate content in local languages, starting with open datasets and competitions on Zindi. Connectivity Resilience: CSquared adds capacity on the 2Africa West cable to reduce landing-station concentration risk and improve internet resilience for West and Central Africa. Health Data Systems: Rwanda shares its national health intelligence approach with Togo and other countries, pushing data ownership for better, locally guided healthcare decisions. Infrastructure Shock (Local): A bridge collapse in Tempane District (Kongo area) is stranding traders and residents and disrupting access to markets and health services.

AI for Languages: Togo unveiled an AI project at the AI for Good Global Summit to build models for 50 local languages, aiming to improve digital public services and boost language representation in AI. It plans open-source datasets with validated voice and text recordings, plus competitions on Zindi with a $40,000 prize pool. Regional Security Tech: The UN warned terrorist groups are spreading across West Africa and the Sahel, using drones, advanced communications and cryptocurrencies—while ASEC 2026 in Accra pushed “security through innovation” with a focus on cyber resilience and border control. Connectivity & Infrastructure: CSquared announced capacity on the 2Africa West cable to reduce landing-station concentration risk and strengthen regional internet resilience. Public Safety Disruption: A bridge collapse in Kongo/Tempane stranded traders and residents, cutting access to markets and health services. Togo in Global AI Governance: Africa secured eight seats on the AI for Good Global Commission, with Togo’s Cina Lawson among the government representatives.