AGP Executive Report

Cross-Border Power Payments: Nigeria’s electricity regulator says Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 power supply, with $62.75m paid out of $73.91m (84.90% remittance). Energy Losses & Accountability: Nigeria also reports N1.36trn in unpaid electricity in 2025, with major billing and collection gaps across distribution companies. Textiles & Industrial Upgrading: Northshore Apparel Ghana plans a fabric mill and a cotton outgrower scheme to build a fuller textile value chain—an approach that highlights the “fabric-first” lesson for regional apparel growth. Maritime & Trade Infrastructure: Nigeria’s ports authority links a $1bn port modernisation push to congestion, outdated infrastructure and weak automation that cost the economy over N1trn yearly. Regional Security & Trade Routes: ECOWAS faces a tougher operating environment as Sahel states deepen security ties outside ECOWAS, while cross-border jihadist expansion complicates enforcement near the coast. Togo Music Digital Shift: In Togo, Nihtael is helping artists navigate digital distribution and visibility as the music industry’s business model changes.

ECOWAS Tourism Governance: ECOWAS adopted a framework to strengthen and accredit Regional Business Associations in the tourism sector, aiming for better transparency, accountability and regional integration, with stakeholders from Nigeria, Benin, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Senegal, Togo and Côte d’Ivoire meeting in Abuja. Cross-Border Power Payments: Nigeria’s NERC reports Togo, Benin and Niger owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 electricity supply; invoices total $73.91m and payments reached $62.75m (84.90% remittance). Energy Losses & Theft Pressure: Nigeria also flagged N1.36trn in unpaid electricity in 2025 and major billing/collection gaps, highlighting ongoing challenges for grid reliability and industrial power users. Togo Cotton Push: Togo’s 2026-2027 cotton season is ahead of plan, with 115,980 hectares planted (110.5% of target) as the sector targets 105,000 tons of seed cotton. Togo Media Jobs: A SYNJIT survey warns of precarious working conditions in Togo’s private media, with most journalists earning under CFAF 100,000 monthly and many facing insecure contracts and delayed pay. Lomé Power Investment: Plans are underway for a 120 MW dual-fuel power plant in Lomé, signaling continued industrial power expansion.

Energy & Cross-Border Power: Nigeria’s regulator reports Togo, Benin and Niger still owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity and ancillary services, with only 84.9% of $73.91m invoiced recovered—highlighting collection pressure in the regional grid. Fuel Prices: In Nigeria, Dangote Refinery raised ex-depot petrol by N65 to N1,265/litre, pushing Abuja pump prices up again (NNPC outlets to N1,270, with some stations above N1,300), despite softer international crude—an inflation watch for West Africa’s transport costs. Agribusiness: Togo’s 2026-2027 cotton season is ahead of plan: 115,980 hectares planted vs 105,000 targeted, aiming for 105,000 tons of seed cotton, supported by a CFAF 5.8bn inputs package and a CFAF 300/kg producer price. Textiles & Manufacturing: Northshore Apparel (Ghana) plans a fabric mill and a cotton outgrower scheme as it expands its industrial park, aiming to export finished garments rather than raw cotton—an industry model relevant to the region’s value-add push. Media & Jobs: A Togo survey by SYNJIT flags precarious private media work—low pay, insecure contracts, delayed earnings, and limited social protection—raising pressure on the sector’s sustainability.

Cotton Push in Togo: Togo’s 2026-2027 cotton season is gaining momentum, with planted acreage at 115,980 hectares (110.5% of the 105,000-hectare target) and a goal of 105,000 tons of seed cotton—up from about 80,000 tons expected in 2025-2026—supported by a CFAF 5.8 billion inputs package including 21,000 tons of fertilizer, though output still depends on rainfall and yields. Energy Payments Watch: Nigeria’s NERC says Togo, Benin and Niger owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity supplied under bilateral arrangements, with $73.91m invoiced and $62.75m paid (84.90% remittance performance), highlighting ongoing cross-border collection gaps. Investment & Free Zones: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolved SAZOF and expanded API-ZF’s role to manage and develop industrial zones, aiming for a more efficient, transparent investment framework to attract private capital. Textiles & Exports Angle (Region): Northshore Apparel plans a fabric mill and a cotton outgrower scheme in Ghana to deepen the textile value chain and shift exports toward finished garments. Media Sector Pressure (Togo): A SYNJIT survey flags precarious conditions for private media journalists—low pay, insecure work, delayed income, and limited social protection—raising pressure on the industry’s sustainability.

Energy & Payments: Nigeria’s regulator (NERC) says Togo, Benin and Niger still owe Nigeria $11.16m for 2025 electricity and ancillary services, with $73.91m invoiced but only $62.75m paid (84.9% remittance performance). Industrial Policy: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolves SAZOF and expands API-ZF’s role to manage and develop industrial zones, aiming for a more efficient investment and free-zone framework. Agribusiness: Togo’s 2026-2027 cotton season is ahead of plan: 115,980 hectares planted vs 105,000 targeted, targeting 105,000 tons of seed cotton (up from ~80,000 expected in 2025-26). Environment & Clean Cooking: Togo signs a financing deal to scale improved cookstoves, targeting wider rollout by 2032 to cut firewood use and support forest protection. Textiles & Exports: Togo’s regional textile push gets a boost as Northshore Apparel plans a fabric mill and cotton outgrower scheme to move from raw cotton to finished garments. Digital Economy: A profile highlights Nihtael’s role in Togo’s music digital transformation, focusing on distribution, artist development and visibility. Regional Security Context: ECOWAS–AES tensions remain in focus as cross-border insurgent dynamics complicate a divided response across the Sahel and toward the coast.

Electricity Payments: Nigeria’s NERC says Togo, Niger and Benin still owe $11.16m for 2025 electricity supplied under bilateral arrangements, with international customers paying 84.9% of $73.91m invoiced. Textiles & Cotton: Togo’s cotton season is ahead of plan, with planted acreage at 115,980 ha (110.5% of target) as the sector targets 105,000 tons of seed cotton; meanwhile Northshore Apparel is pushing an integrated textile model in Ghana with a planned fabric mill and cotton outgrower scheme. Investment & Free Zones: Togo’s Council of Ministers adopted reforms dissolving SAZOF and expanding API-ZF powers to manage industrial zones and streamline investment approvals and incentives. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn financing deal to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, aiming to cut firewood use and emissions while improving household health. Logistics & Shipping: Dangote Industries says it will acquire vessels after failing to secure shipping capacity for cement exports, citing road-tax burdens through Benin and Togo. Regional Air Connectivity: ASKY launched a Lomé–Kano–Niamey service, boosting trade and mobility across West Africa. Media Jobs: A Togo survey finds private journalists facing low pay, insecure work and limited social protection, renewing pressure for labor protections.

Togo Cotton Push: Togo says its 2026-2027 cotton season is off to a strong start, with planted acreage at 115,980 hectares (110.5% of the initial 105,000-hectare target), aiming for 105,000 tons of seed cotton versus about 80,000 tons expected in 2025-2026. Free Zone Overhaul: The Council of Ministers adopted decrees dissolving SAZOF and expanding the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, streamline investment approvals, and improve transparency—an effort to boost private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a financing deal to raise $8.5 million (over CFAF 4.7 billion) for improved cookstoves, targeting rollout from pilots to wider coverage by 2032 to cut firewood use and protect forests. Private Media Pressure: A SYNJIT survey warns Togo’s private journalists face precarious work—low pay, unstable contracts, delayed wages, and limited CNSS/health coverage. Electricity Bills Gap: Benin, Togo and Niger reportedly owed Nigeria $11.16 million in 2025 electricity bills, highlighting collection challenges in cross-border power deals. Regional Logistics Watch: Dangote plans to acquire its own cargo ships after failing to secure vessels for cement exports, citing shipping shortages and road taxes via Benin and Togo. Agribusiness Credit: ProMIFA is working to improve credit access for vegetable growers by refining financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application support through partner institutions.

Togo Investment & Free Zone Overhaul: Togo’s Council of Ministers has adopted decrees dissolving SAZOF and expanding the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, offer sites to investors, and tighten transparency around approvals and incentives—aimed at boosting private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn (about $8.5m) financing deal with Valor Carbon Ltd, Valitera Pte Ltd and Arborify SA to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, targeting rollout through 2032 (and potentially to 2037) after a pilot that already reached about 107,000 households. Textile Exports Take Off: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) shipped textile products to the United States for the first time from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, joining other exporters and reinforcing Togo’s push to add value to its cotton supply chain. Agribusiness Credit Push: ProMIFA is working with partner lenders and technical teams to improve financing access for vegetable growers, including better loan application preparation and beneficiary selection across multiple regions. Regional Trade & Shipping Pressure: Dangote Industries says it will acquire its own vessels after failing to secure shipping capacity for a 1,000-tonne cement shipment to Ghana, citing high road transit costs and corridor taxes through Benin and Togo. Maritime Skills in West Africa: Ghana’s maritime authorities ran a regional training for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo included, as IMO urges assessment systems to keep up with automation and new fuels.

Togo Investment & Free Zones: Togo’s Council of Ministers dissolved SAZOF and expanded the mandate of API-ZF to manage industrial zones, offer sites to investors, and tighten transparency around approvals and incentives—aimed at boosting private capital and industrial growth. Clean Cooking Finance: Togo signed a CFAF 4.7bn (about $8.5m) deal to scale improved cookstoves nationwide, targeting forest protection and healthier households, with rollout planned through 2032 and beyond. Textiles Export Push: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) began shipping textile products to the United States from the Adétikopé Industrial Platform, adding to 2025 export volumes and reinforcing Togo’s move to capture more value in the cotton-to-textile chain. Agriculture Credit for Vegetables: ProMIFA is improving how vegetable growers access loans by aligning financing terms, beneficiary selection, and application timelines with partner financial institutions. Power Infrastructure Planning (Lomé): Togo is preparing a 120MW dual-fuel thermal plant at the Lomé Thermal Power Plant site, using natural gas with liquid fuel backup, with contractor selection expected late 2026.

Dangote Shipping Push: Dangote Cement says it will acquire its own vessels after failing to secure even a 1,000-tonne shipment from Nigeria to Ghana, arguing that road routes via Benin and Togo add VAT and charges that make exports uncompetitive. Togo Textile Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, adding momentum to Togo’s push to process more cotton locally. Togo Power Plan: Togo announced an Early Market Engagement for a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé (World Bank-backed), designed to run mainly on natural gas with liquid fuel backup. Togo Agriculture Credit: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by refining financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application support across multiple regions. Maritime Skills in the Region: Ghana’s maritime authority launched a regional training for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo among participating countries. ASKY Route Expansion: ASKY will launch Kano–Niamey service via Lomé from Sept. 2, boosting West and Central Africa connectivity.

Maritime & Trade Logistics: Dangote Industries says it will acquire its own shipping fleet after repeated failures to secure vessels for even 1,000-tonne cement consignments to Ghana, arguing that road routes through Benin and Togo add taxes and erode regional competitiveness. Regional Air Connectivity: ASKY will launch a new Kano–Niamey service from September 2, routed via Lomé, boosting West and Central Africa business links. Togo Power & Energy: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé (natural gas primary, liquid fuel backup) with World Bank support, aiming to meet rising peak demand. Togo Mining Policy: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, with applications reviewed under existing rules while regulatory reforms continue. Agribusiness Finance: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by aligning financing terms, beneficiary selection, and loan application timelines across regions. Textiles for Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, signaling growing export capacity. Health & Workplaces: A West Africa survey finds 62% of workers get no employer support for malaria prevention, including in Togo, calling for stronger private-sector action. Maritime Skills: IMO-backed training in Ghana targets seafarer assessment and certification capacity across West Africa, with Togo among participating countries.

Textile Exports: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, adding to the platform’s growing export momentum and job creation push. Power Investment: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé, using natural gas as the primary fuel with liquid fuel as backup, with World Bank support and contractor selection expected in late 2026. Agribusiness Credit: ProMIFA is improving credit access for vegetable growers by tightening coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture, partner financial institutions, and local technical teams, aiming to better match loan terms to farmers’ needs. Mining Policy: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, reopening applications under existing rules while regulators prepare broader code reforms. Maritime Skills: A regional training in Ghana is building capacity for seafarer examiners and assessors, with Togo among participating countries—supporting safer certification as maritime tech evolves. Health at Work: A West Africa-wide survey finds 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, while another report urges a stronger private-sector role in workplace malaria prevention. Security & Trade Risks: A landmark review warns social media is fueling online wildlife trafficking, while separate reporting highlights renewed Somali piracy risks affecting shipping routes.

Malaria Workplace Gap: A CAMA survey across 10 West African countries found 62% of workers get no malaria prevention support from employers, urging businesses to move from awareness to real workplace action—an issue that also affects productivity and absenteeism in Togo and beyond. Agribusiness Credit Push: Togo’s ProMIFA risk-sharing scheme is improving credit access for vegetable growers, with meetings across multiple regions to better match loan terms, beneficiary selection, and application timelines—aimed at boosting bank lending where agriculture still gets only a tiny share. Textile Exports Take Off: Togo Apparels Source (TAS) at the Adétikopé Industrial Platform shipped textile products to the United States for the first time, building on growing PIA export volumes and the push to capture more value from local cotton. Power Investment Pipeline: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé (natural gas primary, liquid fuel backup) with World Bank support, targeting higher dispatchable capacity as demand rises. Mining Permits Restart: Togo has resumed mineral prospecting authorizations and exploration permits nationwide after a suspension, reopening applications under existing rules while reforms are prepared. Maritime Skills for Togo: Regional training in seafarer assessment and certification includes Togo, strengthening examiners and instructors to keep pace with new maritime technology and standards. Wildlife Trade Online: A landmark Nature Reviews Biodiversity review says social media is fueling illegal wildlife trafficking, calling for platform regulation, demand reduction, and community coordination to tackle the problem.

Maritime Skills & Standards: Ghana’s Maritime Authority opened a five-day regional training at the Regional Maritime University to upgrade seafarer examiners, assessors and instructors, with Togo among participating countries, as IMO officials stress assessment systems must evolve with automation, digital tools, autonomous shipping and alternative fuels. Power & Industry Investment: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal plant in Lomé at the existing Lomé Thermal Power Plant site, using natural gas as primary fuel with liquid fuel backup, supported by the World Bank, with contractor selection expected late 2026. Mining & Upstream Activity: Togo has reopened applications for mineral exploration permits after a suspension, allowing investors to apply under existing rules while the regulatory reform process continues. Climate Finance for Business: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment, including a digital climate information and investment platform, a green & climate booklet for businesses, and a communications plan under the NAP Readiness project. Journalism & Media Freedom: CPJ urged Togo to drop charges and release two French journalists and their Togolese fixer detained for 26 days after a documentary shoot in northern Togo. Maritime Security Watch: Somali piracy is showing a comeback, with multiple hijackings and attacks reported around the Gulf of Aden and off Somalia, raising risks for regional shipping.

Power & Infrastructure: Togo plans a 120 MW dual-fuel thermal power plant in Lomé, to be built at the existing Lomé Thermal Power Plant site with World Bank support; the modular design will run mainly on natural gas with liquid fuel as backup, aiming to match rising demand (peak 360 MW in Q1 2026) and improve dispatchable capacity, with contractor selection expected in late 2026. Mining & Regulation: Togo has resumed mineral exploration permit applications nationwide after a suspension, reopening submissions under existing rules while the regulatory reform process continues. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment, including a climate information/investment digital platform, a green & climate booklet, and a communications plan under the NAP Readiness project. Maritime Biodiversity: Lomé hosted workshops to shape Togo’s position ahead of the January 2027 BBNJ Agreement COP, focusing on marine genetic resources, impact assessments, and capacity-building. Journalism & Energy Accountability: CPJ urged Togolese authorities to drop charges and release two French journalists and their Togolese fixer detained for documentary filming, highlighting pressure on media freedom. Regional Energy Trade: Ghana renewed its push to supply electricity to Nigeria as part of a wider West African power hub ambition, building on existing cross-border links that already include Togo.

Press Freedom & Media: CPJ is urging Togo to drop charges and release French journalists Sebastian Perez Pezzani and Gaël Mocaër, plus their Togolese fixer Komi Mawufemo Vedomey, who have been held since July 27 while filming in northern Togo; one was provisionally released for medical reasons but passports were confiscated, raising concerns about prolonged legal delays. Climate Finance & Private Sector: Togo launched three tools in Lomé to boost private-sector climate investment— a digital climate information and investment platform, a Green & Climate booklet for financing guidance, and a communications plan—under the NAP Readiness project supported by the Green Climate Fund and FAO. Marine Biodiversity Governance: Togo is running workshops to shape its national position ahead of the first BBNJ Agreement COP in January 2027, covering marine genetic resources, impact assessments, capacity-building and technology transfer. Port & Trade Competition: Tema Port closed 2025 as West Africa’s top container gateway, edging past Lomé and pulling ahead of Abidjan, driven by transshipment growth and larger vessel calls. Regional Energy Push: Ghana renewed its push to supply electricity to Nigeria as part of a wider West African power hub strategy, building on existing cross-border links that already include Togo. Maritime Security: Somali piracy surged again with hijackings off Yemen and Somalia, including an Eritrea-flagged tanker and a Cameroon-flagged cargo ship, underlining renewed risks for shipping in the Horn of Africa.