View source for Togo

{{short description|Country in West Africa}}
{{about|the country}}

{{redirect|Togolese Republic|other uses|Togolese Republic (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-move|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Togolese Republic
| common_name            = Togo
| native_name            = {{native name|fr|République togolaise|fontsize=100%}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Togo.svg
| image_coat             = Emblem of Togo.svg
| coa_size               = 70
| symbol_type            = Coat of arms
| national_motto         = {{lang|fr|"Travail, Liberté, Patrie"|italics=no}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africanlegislaturesproject.org/content/constitution-togo|title=Constitution of Togo|year=2002|access-date=20 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214090412/http://www.africanlegislaturesproject.org/content/constitution-togo|archive-date=14 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref><br />({{Langx|en|"Work, Liberty, Homeland"}})
| national_anthem        = {{lang|fr|"[[Salut à toi, pays de nos aïeux|Terre de nos aïeux]]"|italics=no}}<br />({{Langx|en|"Land of our ancestors"}}){{parabr}}{{center|[[File:Togolese national anthem.ogg]]}}
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Togo (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Togo AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}}
| map_caption            = 
| capital                = [[Lomé]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|6|8|N|1|13|E|type:city|display=inline}}
| largest_city           = Lomé
| official_languages     = [[French language|French]]
| languages_type         = Spoken languages
| languages              = {{collapsible list|bullets=y|title={{nobold|List:}}
|[[French language|French]]
|[[Ewe language|Ewe]]
|[[Gbe languages|Gbe]]
|[[Gur languages|Gur]]
|[[Kwa languages|Kwa]]
|[[Kabiye language|Kabiye]]
|[[Talni language|Talensi]]
|[[Wasa dialect|Wasa]]
|[[Aguna language|Aguna]]
|[[Adja language|Aja]]
|[[Ngangam language|Ngangam]]
|[[Ntcham language|Ntcham]]
|[[Tammari language|Tammari]]
|[[Tem language|Tem]]
|[[Ifè language|Ifè]]
|[[Yoruba language|Yoruba]]
}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{collapsible list|title_style=nobold|title={{nobold|[[Demographics of Togo|African]] (94.4%)}}<ref name="cia">{{cite web|title=Togo|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/|website=CIA World Factbook|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|access-date=26 October 2017|archive-date=12 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012171517/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Aja people|Aja]], [[Ewe people|Ewe]] and [[Gen language|Mina]] (42.4%)
|[[Kabye people|Kabye]] and [[Tem people|Tem]] (25.9%)
|[[Akan people|Akan]] and [[Gurma people|Gurma]] (17.1%)
|[[Kposo people|Kposo]] and [[Kebu language|Akebu]] (4.1%)
|[[Ana people|Ana-Ife]] (3.2%)
|Other West African groups (1.7%)}}
[[Demographics of Togo|non-African]] (5.6%)<ref name="cia" />
| religion               = {{ublist |item_style=white-space:nowrap;
  |47.8% [[Christianity]]
  |33.0% [[Traditional African religions|traditional faiths]]
  |18.4% [[Islam in Togo|Islam]]
  |0.5% [[Baháʼí faith]]
  |0.3% [[Religion in Togo|others]] / [[Irreligion|none]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=221c | title=National Profiles | access-date=15 October 2022 | archive-date=6 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306005400/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=221c | url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| religion_year          = 2020
| demonym                = [[Demographics of Togo|Togolese]]
| government_type        = [[Unitary parliamentary republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[President of Togo|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové]]
| leader_title2          = [[President of the Council of Ministers of Togo|President of the Council of Ministers]]
| leader_name2           = [[Faure Gnassingbé]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Togo|Parliament]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate (Togo)|Senate]]
| lower_house            = [[National Assembly (Togo)|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[Independence]]
| sovereignty_note       = from [[France]]
| established_event1     = Independence granted
| established_date1      = 27 April 1960
| area_km2               = 56,785<ref name="auto">{{cite web |title=Togo country profile |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14106781 |website=BBC News |access-date=27 January 2021 |date=24 February 2020 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014182000/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14106781 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://voyage.gouv.tg/ |title=Accueil - Voyage Togo |access-date=2 March 2024 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108215213/https://voyage.gouv.tg/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| area_rank              = 123rd
| area_sq_mi             = 22,008
| percent_water          = 4.2
| population_census      = 8,095,498<ref>{{cite web |title=Togo-Les résultats définitifs du 5e RGPH |url=https://icilome.com/2023/04/togo-les-resultats-definitifs-du-5e-rgph/ |website=Icilome |access-date=1 September 2023 |date=4 April 2023}}</ref>
| population_census_year = 2022
| population_census_rank = 
| population_estimate    = {{IncreaseNeutral}} 9,583,381<ref>{{Cite CIA World Factbook|country=Togo|access-date=31 October 2024|year=2024}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 101st
| population_density_km2 = 125.9
| population_density_sq_mi = 243
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $33.050 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2025
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 147th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $3,470<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 166th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $10.020 billion<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2025
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 151st
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $1,050<ref>{{cite web |title=World Economic Outlook Database, April 2025 |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2025/april |language=en}}</ref>
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 171st
| Gini                   = 43.1
| Gini_year              = 2015
| Gini_change            = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref name="wb-gini">{{cite web |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI/ |title=Gini Index |publisher=World Bank |access-date=16 July 2021 |archive-date=27 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180727172441/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI |url-status=live }}</ref>
| Gini_rank              = 
| HDI_year               = 2023 <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI                    = 0.571 <!--number only-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref>{{Cite web |date= 6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2023/2024|url= https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/specific-country-data#/countries/TGO|access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 161st
| currency               = [[West African CFA franc]]
| currency_code          = XOF
| utc_offset             = +00:00
| time_zone              = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| date_format            = dd/mm/yyyy
| drives_on              = right
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Togo|+228]]
| cctld                  = [[.tg]]
| footnote_a             = Such as [[Ewe language|Ewe]], Mina and [[Adja language|Aja]].
| footnote_b             = Largest are the [[Ewe people|Ewe]], Mina, [[Tem people|Kotokoli Tem]] and [[Kabye people|Kabyè]].
| footnote_c             = Mostly European, Indian & Syrian-Lebanese.
| footnote_d             = Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.
| footnote_e             = Rankings based on 2017 figures ([https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/ ''CIA World Factbook'' – "Togo"])
| today                  = 
}}
'''Togo''',{{efn|{{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Togo.ogg|ˈ|t|oʊ|ɡ|oʊ}} {{respell|TOH|goh}}; {{IPA|fr|toɡo|lang}}}} officially the '''Togolese Republic''',{{efn|{{langx|fr|République togolaise}}}} is a country in [[West Africa]]. It is bordered by [[Ghana]] to [[Ghana–Togo border|the west]], [[Benin]] to [[Benin–Togo border|the east]] and [[Burkina Faso]] to [[Burkina Faso–Togo border|the north]].<ref name="Republic of Togo">{{cite web |title=Republic of Togo |url=https://www.isdb.org/togo |access-date=26 January 2021 |publisher=[[Islamic Development Bank]] |date=18 November 1998 |language=en |archive-date=3 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203143436/https://www.isdb.org/togo |url-status=live }}</ref> It is one of the [[least developed countries]] and extends south to the [[Gulf of Guinea]], where its [[capital city|capital]], [[Lomé]], is located.<ref name="Republic of Togo" /> It is a small, tropical country, spanning {{convert|57,000|km2|sqmi|-3|abbr=off}}<ref name="auto"/> with a [[population]] of approximately 8 million,<ref name="auto"/> and it has a width of less than {{convert|115|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} between Ghana and its eastern neighbor Benin.{{UN_Population|ref}}

Various peoples settled the boundaries of present-day Togo between the 11th and 16th centuries. Between the 16th and 18th centuries, the coastal region served primarily as a [[Atlantic slave trade|European slave trading]] outpost, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The [[Slave Coast of West Africa|Slave Coast]]". In 1884, during the [[scramble for Africa]], [[German Empire|Germany]] established a protectorate in the region called [[Togoland]]. After [[World War I]], Togo was transferred to [[France]] with its contemporary borders. Togo gained independence from France in 1960.<ref name="cia"/><ref name="icye.org">{{cite web |title=Togo (Partner) – International Cultural Youth Exchange |url=https://www.icye.org/icye-in-the-world/togo/ |website=International cultural youth exchange |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=8 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608015225/https://www.icye.org/icye-in-the-world/togo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1967, [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]] led a [[1967 Togolese coup d'état|successful military coup d'état]] and became president of an anti-communist, single-party state. In 1993, Eyadéma faced multiparty elections marred by irregularities, and won the presidency three times. At the time of his death, Eyadéma was the "longest-serving leader in modern [[Africa]]n history", having been president for 38 years.<ref name=Obituary>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/830774.stm "Obituary: Gnassingbe Eyadema"] . (5 February 2005). [[BBC News]]. Retrieved 22 May 2007.</ref> In 2005, his son [[Faure Gnassingbé]] was elected president.

Togo is a [[Tropics|tropical]], [[Sub-Saharan Africa|sub-Saharan]] nation<ref name="Republic of Togo"/> whose economy depends mostly on agriculture.<ref name="icye.org"/> The official language is [[French language|French]],<ref name="icye.org"/> but other languages are spoken, particularly those of the [[Gbe languages|Gbe family]]. 47.8% of the population adhere to [[Christianity]], making it the largest religion in the country.<ref>{{Citation |title=Togo |date=2023-01-11 |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/#people-and-society |work=The World Factbook |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en |access-date=2023-01-13 |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012171517/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/#people-and-society |url-status=live }}</ref> Togo is a member of the [[United Nations]], [[African Union]], [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], [[South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone]], [[Organisation internationale de la Francophonie|Francophonie]], [[Commonwealth of Nations]], and [[Economic Community of West African States]].

== History ==
{{Main|History of Togo}}

[[Archaeology|Archaeological]] finds indicate that societies were able to produce [[pottery]] and process [[iron]].<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D1CUn51GNk |title=Ironworking in Togo, West Africa: Archaeological Research in the Bassar Region 2013-2020 |date=2021-12-11 |last=San Diego Archaeological Center |access-date=2025-03-26 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The name Togo is translated from the [[Ewe language]] as "behind the river".<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2020-04-19 |title=How Togo came to have its name |url=https://africanlisbontour.com/2020/04/19/how-togo-came-to-have-its-name/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=African Lisbon Tour |language=en-US}}</ref> During the period from the 11th century to the 16th century, the [[Ewe people|Ewé]] entered the area from the west, and the [[Gen language|Mina]] and [[Fon language|Gun]] from the east. Most of them settled on the coast. The [[Atlantic slave trade]] began in the 16th century, and for the next two hundred years the coastal region was a trading centre for Europeans in search of slaves, earning Togo and the surrounding region the name "The [[Slave Coast of West Africa|Slave Coast]]".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Benjamin |first=Thomas |date=2009-02-16 |title=The Atlantic World: Europeans, Africans, Indians and their Shared History, 1400–1900 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/highereducation/books/the-atlantic-world/2E35A3BB70FC6B973EE4E1535D885470?chapterId=CBO9780511816604A026#contents |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Higher Education from Cambridge University Press |doi=10.1017/CBO9780511816604 |isbn=978-0-511-81660-4 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The transatlantic slave trade |url=https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/history-of-slavery/transatlantic-slave-trade |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=National Museums Liverpool}}</ref>

[[File:Togoland.jpg|thumb|left|Togoland ([[Rudolf Hellgrewe|R. Hellgrewe]], 1908)]]

In 1884, a paper was forcibly signed at [[Togoville]] with King Mlapa III, whereby Germany claimed a [[protectorate]] over a stretch of territory along the coast and gradually extended its control inland.<ref>Laumann, "A Historiography of German Togoland", p. 195</ref><ref>Washausen, ''Hamburg und die Kolonialpolitik'', p. 79</ref> Its borders were defined after the capture of the hinterland by German forces and signing agreements with France and Britain. In 1905, this became the German colony of [[Togoland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Y |first=Dr |date=2019-04-26 |title=German Colonial Treaties in Africa: Togoland July 5th 1884 |url=https://afrolegends.com/2019/04/26/german-colonial-treaties-in-africa-togoland-july-5th-1884/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=African Heritage |language=en}}</ref> The local population was [[Forced labour|forced to work]], cultivate cotton, coffee, and cocoa and pay taxes. A [[Lomé–Aného railway|railway]] and the port of [[Lomé]] were built for export of agricultural products. The Germans introduced techniques of cultivation of [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]], [[coffee]] and [[cotton]] and developed the infrastructure.

During [[World War I]], Togoland was invaded by [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and France, proclaiming the Anglo-French condominium, during the [[West African Campaign (World War I)|West African Campaign]]. Following the [[Allies of World War I|Allied]] invasion of the colony in August 1914, German forces were defeated, forcing the colony's surrender on 26 August 1914. On 7 December 1916, the condominium collapsed and Togoland was subsequently partitioned into British and French zones, creating the colonies of [[British Togoland]] and [[French Togoland]].<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Martin |first1=Lawrence |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jtyOqiwiDLYC&pg=PR15 |title=The Treaties of Peace, 1919-1923 |last2=Reed |first2=John |date=2007 |publisher=The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd. |isbn=978-1-58477-708-3 |language=en}}</ref> On 20 July 1922, Great Britain received the [[League of Nations]] mandate to govern the western part of Togo and France to govern the eastern part. In 1945, the country received the right to send three representatives to the [[French Parliament|French parliament.]]

After [[World War II]], these mandates became [[United Nations Trust Territories|UN Trust Territories]]. The residents of British Togoland [[1956 British Togoland status plebiscite|voted]] to join the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] as part of the independent nation of [[Ghana]] in 1957. French Togoland became an autonomous republic within the [[French Union]] in 1959, while France retained the right to control defence, foreign relations, and finances.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

=== Independence ===
The Togolese Republic was proclaimed on 27 April 1960.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zuber |first=David |date=2022-03-28 |title=Sylvanus Olympio (1902-1963) |url=https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/people-global-african-history/sylvanus-olympio-1902-1963/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=BlackPast.org |language=en-US}}</ref> In the [[Togolese general election, 1961]], [[Sylvanus Olympio]] became the first president, gaining 100 per cent of the vote in elections boycotted by the opposition. On 9 April 1961, the Constitution of the Togolese Republic was adopted, according to which the supreme legislative body was the [[National Assembly of Togo]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ujamaalive.africa/encyclomedia/togo/|title=Togo|date=2019-04-26|website=Ujamaa Live|language=en-ZA|access-date=2019-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502190520/https://ujamaalive.africa/encyclomedia/togo/|archive-date=2 May 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 1961, leaders of opposition parties were arrested because they were accused of the preparation of an anti-government conspiracy. A decree was issued on the dissolution of the opposition parties. Olympio tried to reduce dependence on France by establishing cooperation with the United States, United Kingdom, and [[West Germany]]. He rejected the efforts of French soldiers who were demobilized after the [[Algerian War]] and tried to get a position in the Togolese army. These factors eventually led to a military coup on 13 January 1963 during which he was [[assassinate]]d by a group of soldiers under the direction of Sergeant [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]].<ref name="ellis93">{{cite journal|last=Ellis|first=Stephen|title=Rumour and Power in Togo|journal=Africa: Journal of the International African Institute|volume =63|issue=4|pages=462–476|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1993|doi=10.2307/1161002|jstor=1161002|s2cid=145261033 }}</ref> A state of emergency was declared in Togo. The military handed over power to an interim government led by [[Nicolas Grunitzky]]. In May 1963, Grunitzky was elected President of the Republic. The new leadership pursued a policy of developing relations with France. His main aim was to dampen the divisions between north and south, promulgate a new constitution, and introduce a multiparty system.

On 13 January 1967, Eyadéma overthrew Grunitzky in a bloodless coup and assumed the presidency.<ref name="heritage.org">{{cite web |title=Togo Economy: Population, GDP, Inflation, Business, Trade, FDI, Corruption |url=https://www.heritage.org/index/country/togo |website=www.heritage.org |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=10 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230510041736/https://www.heritage.org/index/country/togo |url-status=unfit }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coups in Togo |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/togo.htm |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.globalsecurity.org}}</ref> He created the [[Rally of the Togolese People|Rally of the Togolese People Party]], banned activities of other political parties and introduced a [[one-party system]] in November 1969. He was reelected in 1979 and 1986. In 1983, the [[privatization]] program launched and in 1991 other political parties were allowed. In 1993, the [[European Union]] froze the partnership, describing Eyadéma's re-election in 1993, 1998 and 2003, as a seizure of power. In April 2004, in [[Brussels]], talks were held between the EU and Togo on the resumption of cooperation.

[[File:Protests in Lomé, Togo, 18 octobre 2017 04.jpg|thumb|left|The [[2017–18 Togolese protests]] against the 50-year rule of the Gnassingbé family]]

Eyadéma Gnassingbé died on Saturday, 5 February 2005.<ref>Deschamps, H.J., Decalo, S., Pedanou, M.K., Echenberg, M. "Togo." ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', March 4, 2025. [https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo. https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo.]</ref> The military's installation of his son, [[Faure Gnassingbé]],<ref name="heritage.org"/> as president provoked international condemnation, except from France. Some "democratically elected" African leaders such as [[Abdoulaye Wade]] of [[Senegal]] and [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] of [[Nigeria]] supported the move, creating a rift within the [[African Union]].<ref name="bbc.co.uk">[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14106781 BBC News – Togo country profile – Overview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013061606/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14106781 |date=13 October 2019 }}. Bbc.co.uk (11 July 2011). Retrieved on March 26, 2012.</ref> Gnassingbé left power and held elections, which he won two months later.<ref>"Date set for elections in Togo", Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 4 March 2005</ref> The opposition declared that the election results were fraudulent. The events of 2005 led to questions regarding the government's commitment to [[democracy]] that had been made in an attempt to normalize relations with the EU which cut off [[aid]] in 1993 due to questions about Togo's human rights situation. Up to 400 people were killed in the violence surrounding the presidential elections, according to the UN. Around 40,000 Togolese fled to neighbouring countries. Gnassingbé was reelected in 2010 and 2015.

Togo became the first African nation to win an Olympic medal in canoeing at the [[2008 Summer Olympics]] in [[Beijing]] when [[Benjamin Boukpeti]] won bronze in the [[Canoeing at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's slalom K-1|K-1 slalom]].

In 2017, anti-government protests erupted. [[United Nations|UN]] condemned the resulting crackdown by security forces, and [[The Gambia]]'s foreign minister, [[Ousainou Darboe]], had to issue a correction after saying that Gnassingbé should resign.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-togo/togos-president-gnassingbe-should-resign-immediately-gambian-foreign-minister-idUSKBN1CS1W7|title=Gambian ministry says up to Togo to resolve crisis|last=Farge|first=Emma|date=2017-10-23|work=Reuters|access-date=2017-10-26|publisher=Thomson Reuters|archive-date=26 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026111748/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-togo/togos-president-gnassingbe-should-resign-immediately-gambian-foreign-minister-idUSKBN1CS1W7|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the February 2020 presidential elections, Gnassingbé won his fourth presidential term in office as the president of Togo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200224-togo-president-faure-gnassingbe-wins-fourth-term-according-to-provisional-results|title=Togo's President Faure Gnassingbé wins fourth term|date=2020-02-24|website=France 24|language=en|access-date=2020-02-24|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224070458/https://www.france24.com/en/20200224-togo-president-faure-gnassingbe-wins-fourth-term-according-to-provisional-results|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the official result, he won with a margin of around 72% of the vote share. This enabled him to defeat his closest challenger, former prime minister [[Agbéyomé Kodjo|Agbeyome Kodjo]], who had 18%.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/togo-president-faure-gnassingbe-wins-fourth-term-landslide-200224050830042.html|title=Togo President Faure Gnassingbe wins fourth term in landslide|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=2020-02-24|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224081816/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/togo-president-faure-gnassingbe-wins-fourth-term-landslide-200224050830042.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 May 2020, Bitala Madjoulba, the commander of a Togolese military battalion, was found dead in his office one day after Gnassingbé was sworn in for his fourth term. An investigation was opened for this case, resulting in Major General Kadangha Abalo Felix being prosecuted and tried for involvement in Madjoulba's assassination and 'conspiracy against the internal security of the state'.<ref>{{cite news |title=Togo: une enquête ouverte après la mort du colonel Bitala Madjoulba |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20200506-togo-une-enqu%C3%AAte-ouverte-apr%C3%A8s-la-mort-violente-colonel-bitala-madjoulba |access-date=28 December 2021 |publisher=Radio France Internationale |date=6 May 2020 |language=French |archive-date=28 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211228202422/https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20200506-togo-une-enqu%C3%AAte-ouverte-apr%C3%A8s-la-mort-violente-colonel-bitala-madjoulba |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Togo: Assassinat du colonel Madjoulba Bitala : le général Kadangha Abalo dément toutes accusations |url=https://togonyigba.tg/togo-assassinat-de-madjoulba-bitala-le-general-abalo-kadangha-dement-toutes-accusations |access-date=27 February 2024 |publisher=Togo Nyigba |date=6 May 2020 |language=French |archive-date=9 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109154649/https://togonyigba.tg/togo-assassinat-de-madjoulba-bitala-le-general-abalo-kadangha-dement-toutes-accusations/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Joining the Commonwealth ===
Togo joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] in June 2022.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Togo joins the Commonwealth family |url=https://www.republicoftogo.com/toutes-les-rubriques/commonwealth/togo-joins-the-commonwealth-family |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=République Togolaise |language=fr-FR}}</ref> Prior to its admission at the [[2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]], Foreign Minister [[Robert Dussey]] said that he expected Commonwealth membership to provide new export markets, funding for development projects and opportunities for Togolese citizens to learn English and access new educational and cultural resources.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Lawson |first=Alice |date=2022-06-24 |title=Togo sees Commonwealth entry as pivot to English-speaking world |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/togo-sees-commonwealth-entry-pivot-english-speaking-world-2022-06-24/ |access-date=2022-07-01 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104101232/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/togo-sees-commonwealth-entry-pivot-english-speaking-world-2022-06-24/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Government ==
{{Main|Politics of Togo}}
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
[[File:Sylvanus Olympio.jpg|thumb|[[Sylvanus Olympio]], the first president of Togo from 1960 to 1963]]
[[File:President Gnassingbé Eyadéma of Republic of Togo, West Africa.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]], the third and longest-serving president from 1967 until his death in 2005.]]
The president is indirectly elected for a double term of four years, and is the commander-in-chief of the [[Togolese Armed Forces|armed forces]] and has the right to initiate legislation and dissolve [[parliament]]. Executive power is exercised by the [[Council of Ministers of Togo|council of ministers]] and its [[President of the Council of Ministers of Togo|president]] which is the head of government and is also a position that was formerly known as the [[prime minister]]. The president appoints the president of the Council of Ministers.

President [[Gnassingbé Eyadéma]], who until 1993, ruled Togo under a one-party system, died of a heart attack on 5 February 2005. Under the Togolese Constitution, the President of the Parliament, [[Fambaré Ouattara Natchaba]], should have become president of the country, pending a presidential election to be called within 60 days. Natchaba was out of the country, returning on an Air France plane from Paris.<ref name="BBC News">{{cite news | title = Togo: Africa's democratic test case | work = BBC News | date = 11 February 2005 | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4243477.stm | access-date = 15 November 2011 | archive-date = 2 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190402161341/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4243477.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> The Togolese army, known as Forces Armées Togolaises (FAT), or [[Togolese Armed Forces]], closed the nation's borders, forcing the plane to land in Benin. With an engineered power vacuum, the Parliament voted to remove the constitutional clause that would have required an election within 60 days and declared that Eyadema's son, [[Faure Gnassingbé]], would inherit the presidency and hold office for the rest of his father's term.<ref name="BBC News"/> Faure was sworn in on 7 February 2005, with international criticism of the succession.<ref>{{cite news | title = Togo leader sworn in amid protest | work = BBC News | date = 7 February 2005 | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4243629.stm | access-date = 15 November 2011 | archive-date = 2 April 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190402202623/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4243629.stm | url-status = live }}</ref> The African Union described the takeover as a military [[coup d'état]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4241001.stm |title=Togo succession 'coup' denounced |work=BBC News |date=6 February 2005 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327210443/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4241001.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> International pressure also came from the [[United Nations]]. Within Togo, opposition to the takeover [[2005 Togo protests and riots|culminated in riots]] in which between 400 and 500 people died.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/500-killed-in-togo-electoral-violence-un-254481 |title=500 killed in Togo electoral violence – UN |work=[[Independent Online (South Africa)|Independent Online]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] |date=26 September 2005 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217053210/https://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/500-killed-in-togo-electoral-violence-un-254481 |url-status=live }}</ref> There were uprisings in cities and towns mainly in the southern part of the country. In the town of [[Aného]] reports of a general civilian uprising followed by a massacre by government troops. In response, Gnassingbé agreed to hold [[Togo presidential election, 2005|elections]] and on 25 February, Gnassingbé resigned as president, and afterward accepted the nomination to run for the office in April.<ref name="Ebow Godwin">{{cite web |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2005/02/25/international/i180735S60.DTL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060106033758/http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2005%2F02%2F25%2Finternational%2Fi180735S60.DTL |archive-date=6 January 2006 |title=Togo Leader to Step Down, Seek Presidency |publisher=Associated Press (via SF Gate) |author=Godwin, Ebow |date=8 June 2010 |access-date=27 June 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

On 24 April 2005, Gnassingbé was elected president of Togo, receiving over 60% of the vote according to official results. His main rival in the race had been [[Emmanuel Bob-Akitani]] from the [[Union des Forces du Changement]] (UFC). Electoral fraud was suspected due to a lack of independent domestic or foreign oversight.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scidev.net/gateways/index.cfm?fuseaction=readitem&rgwid=4&item=Opinions&itemid=401&language=1 |title=Technological shutdowns as tools of oppression |publisher=SciDev.net |date=20 June 2005 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029123632/http://www.scidev.net/en/sub-suharan-africa/opinions/technological-shutdowns-as-tools-of-oppression.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Parliament designated Deputy President [[Bonfoh Abbass]] as interim president until the inauguration.<ref name="Ebow Godwin"/> On 3 May 2005, Gnassingbé was sworn in as the new president and the European Union suspended aid to Togo in support of the opposition claims, unlike the African Union and the United States which declared the vote "reasonably fair". The Nigerian president and Chair of AU, [[Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ]], sought to negotiate between the incumbent government and the opposition to establish a coalition government, and rejected an AU Commission appointment of former [[Zambia]]n president, [[Kenneth Kaunda]], as special AU envoy to Togo.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200506060694.html |title=Togo: African Union in Row Over Appointment of Special Envoy |access-date=2005-11-27 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926213044/http://allafrica.com/stories/200506060694.html |archive-date=26 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}. AllAfrica.com. 6 June 2005</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/200507040093.html |title=Togo: African Union in Row Over Appointment of Special Envoy |access-date=2005-11-27 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926213101/http://allafrica.com/stories/200507040093.html |archive-date=26 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}. AllAfrica.com</ref> In June, Gnassingbé named opposition leader [[Edem Kodjo]] as the prime minister.

In October 2007, after postponements, elections were held under proportional representation. This allowed the less populated north to seat as many MPs as the more populated south.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlotti |first=Marie-Arlette |title=Delegation for the Observation of the Parliamentary Election in Togo |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/212684/Election_report_Togo_14_October_2007.pdf |access-date=February 26, 2024 |page=3 |agency=European Parliament |archive-date=24 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224005607/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/cmsdata/212684/Election_report_Togo_14_October_2007.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The president-backed party [[Rally of the Togolese People]] (RPT) won a majority with UFC coming second and the other parties claiming inconsequential representation. Vote rigging accusations were levelled at RPT supported by the civil and military security apparatus. With the presence of an EU observer mission, cancelled ballots and illegal voting took place, the majority of which in RPT strongholds. On 3 December 2007 [[Komlan Mally]] of RPT was appointed to prime minister succeeding Agboyibor. On 5 September 2008, Mally resigned as prime minister of Togo.

Gnassingbé won re-election in the March 2010 presidential election, taking 61% of the vote against [[Jean-Pierre Fabre]] from UFC, who had been backed by an opposition coalition called FRAC (Republican Front for Change).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/togos-president-reelected-electoral-agency-20100307-pq0l.html |title=Togo's president re-elected: electoral agency |newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref> Electoral observers noted "procedural errors" and technical problems, and the opposition did not recognize the results, claiming irregularities had affected the outcome.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8554145.stm |title=Togo opposition vows to challenge election result |publisher=BBC |date=7 March 2010 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=11 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011020323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8554145.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-togo-idUSTRE62520G20100306 |title=Togo leader Gnassingbe re-elected in disputed poll |work=Reuters |date=6 March 2010 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=7 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113350/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-togo-idUSTRE62520G20100306 |url-status=live }}</ref> Periodic [[protests against Faure Gnassingbé]] followed the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201004120240.html |title=Togo: 4,000 demonstrators protest Togo election results |publisher=AllAfrica.com |date=11 April 2010 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref> In May 2010, opposition leader [[Gilchrist Olympio]] announced that he would enter into a power-sharing deal with the government, a coalition arrangement which provides UFC with eight ministerial posts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10177087 |title=Togo opposition 'to join coalition government' |publisher=BBC |date=27 May 2010 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403150839/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10177087 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14107024 |title=Togo profile |publisher=BBC |date=11 July 2011 |access-date=16 November 2011 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404205237/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14107024 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2012, electoral reforms prompted protesters to take to the street in Lomé for days; protesters sought a return to the 1992 constitution that would re-establish presidential term limits.<ref name="BBC20120614">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18439872 |title=Togo protest: Lome rocked by electoral reform unrest |publisher=BBC |date=14 June 2012 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404183708/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18439872 |url-status=live }}</ref> July 2012 saw the resignation of the prime minister, Gilbert Houngbo.<ref name="Reuters20120712">{{cite news|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86B03R20120712 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715055119/http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE86B03R20120712 |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 July 2012 |title=Togo PM, govt quit to widen leadership before vote |work=Reuters |date=12 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> Days later, the commerce minister, Kwesi Ahoomey-Zunu, was named to lead the new government. In the same month, the home of opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre was raided by security forces, and thousands of protesters again rallied publicly against the government crackdown.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Huge-rally-in-Togo-20120722 |title=Huge rally in Togo |publisher=news24.com |date=22 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-date=25 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725001146/http://www.news24.com/Africa/News/Huge-rally-in-Togo-20120722 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2015, Gnassingbé was re-elected for a third term.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32512615|title = Togo's Faure Gnassingbe wins third term as president|work = BBC News|date = 29 April 2015|access-date = 19 May 2021|archive-date = 19 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210519065908/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-32512615|url-status = live}}</ref> In February 2020, Gnassingbé was again re-elected for his fourth presidential term. The opposition had accusations of fraud and irregularities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/togo-president-gnassingb%C3%A9-wins-re-election/a-52494760|title=Togo President Gnassingbé wins re-election &#124; DW &#124; 24.02.2020|website=[[Deutsche Welle]]|access-date=19 May 2021|archive-date=31 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231132047/https://www.dw.com/en/togo-president-gnassingb%C3%A9-wins-re-election/a-52494760|url-status=live}}</ref> The Gnassingbé family has ruled Togo since 1967, making it Africa's longest lasting dynasty.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ips-journal.eu/regions/africa/togos-dynasty-lives-on-4111/ |title=Togo's dynasty lives on |work=IPS |date=28 February 2020 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=7 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207192212/https://www.ips-journal.eu/regions/africa/togos-dynasty-lives-on-4111/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2024 constitutional reform ===
In March 2024, Gnassingbé presented a new constitution. One of the constitutional changes in the new constitution has Togo go from being under a [[presidential system]] to being under a [[parliamentary system]], as well as weakening the power of the president, it becoming a mostly ceremonial role; strengthening the power of parliament; and strengthening the power of the prime minister and renaming the office "President of the Council of Ministers" ({{lang|fr|[[French language|French]]: Président du Conseil des Ministres}}). The term of the new office will be six years, renewable indefinitely, whereas the term of the president is lowered to four from the previous five, renewable once. In April 2024, the Togolese parliament voted in favour of the new constitution and the new constitution was officially adopted on 6 May 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/togo-has-adopted-major-constitutional-changes-to-give-parliament-more-power-how-it-will-work-228944|title=Togo has adopted major constitutional changes to give parliament more power: how it will work|work=The Conversation|date=1 May 2024}}</ref>

The reform officially came into effect on 3 May 2025, where the first indirect election of the country was held. [[Jean-Lucien Savi de Tové]] was uninamously elected as the new president, while Gnassingbé became the president of the Council of Ministers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 May 2025 |title=Longtime Togo leader Gnassingbe consolidates grip on power with title swap |url=https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20250503-longtime-togo-leader-gnassingbe-consolidates-grip-on-power-with-title-swap |work=France 24}}</ref> Aged nearly 86, Savi de Tové is the oldest ever president in history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202505/04/WS6816c484a310a04af22bd6af.html|title=Togo elects new president|work=Xinhua News|date=4 May 2025}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=October 2025}}

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Regions of Togo|Prefectures of Togo}}
[[File:Togo-karte-politisch.png|thumb|Map of Togo featuring the country's five regions and their capitals]]

Togo is divided into 5 regions which are subdivided in turn into 39 [[prefecture]]s. From north to south the regions are [[Savanes Region, Togo|Savanes]], [[Kara Region|Kara]], [[Centrale Region, Togo|Centrale]], [[Plateaux Region, Togo|Plateaux]] and [[Maritime Region, Togo|Maritime]].

=== Foreign relations ===
{{Main|Foreign relations of Togo}}

While Togo's foreign policy is nonaligned, it has historical and cultural ties with western Europe, especially France and Germany. Togo recognizes the People's Republic of China, [[North Korea]], and [[Cuba]]. It re-established relations with Israel in 1987. Togo pursues an active foreign policy and participates in international organizations. It is particularly active in [[West Africa]]n regional affairs and in the [[African Union]].

In 2017, Togo signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |date=7 July 2017 |access-date=18 May 2024 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref> Togo joined the [[Commonwealth of Nations]], along with [[Gabon]], at the [[2022 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting]] in [[Kigali]], Rwanda.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Turner |first=Camilla |date=2022-06-22 |title=Togo and Gabon to become newest members of Commonwealth this week |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/06/22/togo-gabon-become-newest-members-commonwealth-week/ |access-date=2022-06-29 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=27 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220627070129/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/06/22/togo-gabon-become-newest-members-commonwealth-week/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In joining the Commonwealth, Foreign Minister [[Robert Dussey]] told [[Reuters]]'','' the country sought to expand its "diplomatic, political and economic network" and to "forge closer ties with the [[English-speaking world|anglophone world]]."<ref name=":2" />

=== Military ===
{{Main|Togolese Armed Forces}}

FAT ({{lang|fr|Forces armées togolaises}}, "Togolese armed forces"), consists of the army, navy, air force, and [[gendarmerie]]. Total military expenditures during the [[fiscal year]] of 2005 totalled 1.6% of the country's [[GDP]].<ref name="cia"/> Military bases exist in [[Lomé]], Temedja, [[Kara, Togo|Kara]], [[Niamtougou]], and [[Dapaong]].<ref name="fat_organisation">{{cite web|url=http://forcesarmees.tg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=33|title=Organisation des Forces Armées|publisher=www.forcesarmees.tg|access-date=15 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110316193353/http://forcesarmees.tg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=33|archive-date=16 March 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The current Chief of the [[Staff (military)|General Staff]] is Brigadier General Titikpina Atcha Mohamed, who took office on 19 May 2009.<ref name="fat_tetedefat">{{cite web|url=http://forcesarmees.tg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100|title=Un Nouveau Chef à la Tête des FAT|publisher=www.forcesarmees.tg|access-date=16 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816140008/http://forcesarmees.tg/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=100|archive-date=16 August 2011|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The air force is equipped with [[Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet|Alpha jets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=27460%3Atogolese-air-force-acquires-cn235&catid=35%3AAerospace&Itemid=107|title=Togolese Air Force acquires CN235|publisher=defenceweb.co.za|access-date=5 July 2015|date=29 August 2012|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518180153/https://www.defenceweb.co.za/aerospace/aerospace-aerospace/togolese-air-force-acquires-cn235/?catid=35%3AAerospace&Itemid=107|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Human rights ===
{{Main|Human rights in Togo}}
Togo was labelled "Not Free" by [[Freedom House]] from 1972 to 1998 and from 2002 to 2006, and has been categorized as "Partly Free" from 1999 to 2001 and from 2007. According to a [[United States Department of State|U.S. State Department]] report based on conditions in 2010, human rights problems include "security force use of excessive force, including [[torture]], which resulted in deaths and injuries; official impunity; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrests and detention; lengthy pretrial detention; executive influence over the judiciary; infringement of citizens' privacy rights; restrictions on [[freedom of the press|freedoms of press]], [[Freedom of Assembly|assembly]], and movement; official corruption; discrimination and violence against women; child abuse, including [[female genital mutilation]] (FGM), and sexual exploitation of children; regional and ethnic discrimination; trafficking in persons, especially women and children; societal discrimination against persons with disabilities; official and societal discrimination against homosexual persons; societal discrimination against persons with [[Human immunodeficiency virus|HIV]]; and forced labour, including by children."<ref name="2010 Human Rights Report: Togo">{{cite web|title=2010 Human Rights Report: Togo|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154374.htm|work=US Department of State|access-date=January 11, 2013|archive-date=17 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017055530/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154374.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Togo,<ref>{{cite news |first=Daniel |last=Avery |title=71 Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal |url=https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |work=Newsweek |date=4 April 2019 |access-date=18 May 2024 |archive-date=11 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211204842/https://www.newsweek.com/73-countries-where-its-illegal-be-gay-1385974 |url-status=live }}</ref> with a penalty of one to three years imprisonment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |title=State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same-sex activity between consenting adults |last=Itaborahy |first=Lucas Paoli |date=May 2013 |publisher=The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association |access-date=3 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717085454/http://old.ilga.org/Statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2013.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2013 }}</ref>

== Geography ==
{{Main|Geography of Togo}}
{{ multiple images
|align=right
|image1=Ghana Topography.png
|caption1 =Ghana-Togo [[topography]]−[[topographic map]]
|image2=To-map.png
|caption2=Map of Togo
|total_width=330
}}
Togo has an area equal to {{convert|21925|sqmi|km2|0|abbr=on|order=flip}}. It borders the [[Bight of Benin]] in the south; [[Ghana]] lies to the west; [[Benin]] to the east; and to the north, it is bound by [[Burkina Faso]]. North of the equator, it lies mostly between latitudes [[6th parallel north|6°]] and [[11th parallel north|11°N]], and longitudes [[prime meridian|0°]] and [[2nd meridian east|2°E]].

The coast of Togo in the [[Gulf of Guinea]] is {{convert|56|km|mi|abbr=on}} long and consists of [[lagoon]]s with sandy beaches. In the north, the land is characterized by a rolling [[savanna]] in contrast to the centre of the country, which is characterized by hills. The south of Togo is characterized by a [[Guinean forest-savanna mosaic|savanna and woodland plateau]] which reaches a coastal plain with lagoons and marshes. The highest mountain of the country is the [[Mont Agou]] at {{convert|986|m|ft}} above sea level. The longest [[river]] is the [[Mono River]] with a length of {{convert|400|km|mi|abbr=on}}. It runs from north to south.

The climate is "generally tropical"<ref name="icye.org"/> with average temperatures ranging from {{convert|23|°C}} on the coast to about {{convert|30|°C}} in the northernmost regions, with a drier climate and characteristics of a [[Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands|tropical savanna]].

Togo contains three terrestrial ecoregions: [[Eastern Guinean forests]], [[Guinean forest-savanna mosaic]], and [[West Sudanian savanna]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|display-authors=1|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287|doi-access=free}}</ref> The coast of Togo is characterized by [[marshes]] and [[mangroves]]. The country had a 2019 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 5.88/10, ranking it 92nd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal|last1=Grantham|first1=H. S.|last2=Duncan|first2=A.|last3=Evans|first3=T. D.|last4=Jones|first4=K. R.|last5=Beyer|first5=H. L.|last6=Schuster|first6=R.|last7=Walston|first7=J.|last8=Ray|first8=J. C.|last9=Robinson|first9=J. G.|last10=Callow|first10=M.|last11=Clements|first11=T.|last12=Costa|first12=H. M.|last13=DeGemmis|first13=A.|last14=Elsen|first14=P. R.|last15=Ervin|first15=J.|last16=Franco|first16=P.|last17=Goldman|first17=E.|last18=Goetz|first18=S.|last19=Hansen|first19=A.|last20=Hofsvang|first20=E.|last21=Jantz|first21=P.|last22=Jupiter|first22=S.|last23=Kang|first23=A.|last24=Langhammer|first24=P.|last25=Laurance|first25=W. F.|last26=Lieberman|first26=S.|last27=Linkie|first27=M.|last28=Malhi|first28=Y.|last29=Maxwell|first29=S.|last30=Mendez|first30=M.|last31=Mittermeier|first31=R.|last32=Murray|first32=N. J.|last33=Possingham|first33=H.|last34=Radachowsky|first34=J.|last35=Saatchi|first35=S.|last36=Samper|first36=C.|last37=Silverman|first37=J.|last38=Shapiro|first38=A.|last39=Strassburg|first39=B.|last40=Stevens|first40=T.|last41=Stokes|first41=E.|last42=Taylor|first42=R.|last43=Tear|first43=T.|last44=Tizard|first44=R.|last45=Venter|first45=O.|last46=Visconti|first46=P.|last47=Wang|first47=S.|last48=Watson|first48=J. E. M.|display-authors=1|title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material|journal=Nature Communications|volume=11|issue=1|year=2020|page=5978|issn=2041-1723|doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3|pmid=33293507|pmc=7723057|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G |doi-access=free}}</ref>

At least five parks and reserves have been established: [[Abdoulaye Faunal Reserve]], [[Fazao Malfakassa National Park]], [[Fosse aux Lions National Park]], [[Koutammakou]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1140/ |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=27 January 2021 |language=en |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507091944/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1140 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Kéran National Park]].

===Wildlife===
{{Main|Wildlife of Togo}}

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Togo}}
{{see also|List of companies based in Togo}}

The country possesses [[phosphate]] deposits<ref name="icye.org"/> and an export sector based on agricultural products such as [[coffee]], [[cocoa bean]], and [[peanut]]s (groundnuts), which together generate roughly 30% of export earnings.<ref name="icye.org" /> Cotton is a cash crop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefactfile.org/togo-facts/|title=The Fact File|website=factfile.org|date=19 January 2017|access-date=2018-08-06|archive-date=18 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518180208/https://thefactfile.org/togo-facts/|url-status=live}}</ref> The fertile land occupies 11.3% of the country, most of which is developed. Some crops are [[cassava]], [[jasmine rice]], [[maize]] and [[millet]]. Some other sectors are [[brewery]] and the [[textile]] industry. Low market prices for Togo's major export commodities coupled with the volatile political situation of the 1990s and 2000s had a negative effect on the economy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://britannica.com/place/Togo#toc55354|title=Britannica|website=Britannica.org|access-date=2017-08-26|archive-date=8 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508155423/https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo#toc55354|url-status=live}}</ref>

It is listed in the [[least developed country]] group. It serves as a regional commercial and trade centre. The government's decade-long efforts supported by the [[World Bank]] and the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) to carry out economic reforms, to encourage investments, and to create the balance between income and consumption has stalled. Political unrest, including private and public sector strikes throughout 1992 and 1993, jeopardized the reform program, shrank the tax base, and disrupted economic activities in the country.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}} Togo was ranked 117th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/togo |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref>

It imports [[machinery]], equipment, [[petroleum]] products, and food. Its main import partners are France (21.1%), the Netherlands (12.1%), [[Côte d'Ivoire]] (5.9%), Germany (4.6%), Italy (4.4%), South Africa (4.3%) and China (4.1%). The main exports are [[Cocoa bean|cocoa]], [[coffee]], re-export of goods, [[phosphates]] and [[cotton]]. "Major export partners" are [[Burkina Faso]] (16.6%), China (15.4%), the Netherlands (13%), [[Benin]] (9.6%) and [[Mali]] (7.4%).

[[File:Togo-pedaleamundo.jpg|thumb|Fishermen]]
In terms of structural reforms, it has made progress in the [[liberalization]] of the economy, namely in the fields of [[trade]] and port activities. The privatization program of the cotton sector, [[telecommunications]] and water supply has stalled.

On 12 January 1994, the devaluation of the currency by 50% provided an impetus to renewed structural adjustment; these efforts were facilitated by the end of strife in 1994 and a return to overt political calm. Progress depends on increased openness in government financial operations (to accommodate increased social service outlays) and possible downsizing of the [[armed forces]], on which the regime has depended to stay in place. Lack of aid and depressed cocoa prices generated a 1% fall in GDP in 1998, with growth resuming in 1999. Togo is a member of the [[Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa]] (OHADA).<ref name="ohada.com">{{cite web| title = OHADA.com: The business law portal in Africa| url = http://www.ohada.com/index.php| access-date = 22 March 2009| archive-date = 26 March 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090326033744/http://www.ohada.com/index.php| url-status = live}}</ref>

[[Agriculture]] is the "backbone" of the economy.<ref name="icye.org"/> A shortage of funds for the purchase of [[irrigation]] equipment and [[fertilizers]] has reduced agricultural output. Agriculture generated 28.2% of [[GDP]] in 2012 and employed 49% of the working population in 2010. The country is essentially [[self-sufficient]] in food production. [[Livestock]] production is dominated by [[cattle breeding]].<ref name="cia.gov">{{cite web |date=2023-02-27 |title=Togo |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/ |access-date=March 17, 2023 |series=[[The World Factbook]] |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]] |archive-date=12 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012171517/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/togo/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Getting Togo's Agriculture Back on Track, and Lifting Rural Families Out of Poverty Along the Way|author=Joelle Businger|url=http://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/getting-togos-agriculture-back-on-track-and-lifting-rural-families-out-of-poverty-along-the-way|access-date=5 July 2018|archive-date=2 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002224128/https://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/getting-togos-agriculture-back-on-track-and-lifting-rural-families-out-of-poverty-along-the-way|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Mining]] generated about 33.9% of GDP in 2012 and employed 12% of the population in 2010. Togo's gold production in 2015 is 16 metric tons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold production |url=https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gold-production?tab=table |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129233804/https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/gold-production?tab=table |archive-date=29 November 2023 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Our World in Data |url-status=live }}</ref> Togo has the fourth-largest [[phosphate]] deposits in the world. Their production is 2.1 million tons per year. There are reserves of [[limestone]], [[marble]] and [[salt]]. Industry provides 20.4% of Togo's national income, as it consists of light industries and builders. Some reserves of limestone allow Togo to produce [[cement]].<ref name="cia.gov"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo|title=Togo {{!}} Location, History, Population, & Facts|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-02-20|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407192402/https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Main|Transport in Togo}}

===Road===
Togo's road network plays a pivotal role in the nation's transportation infrastructure, facilitating both domestic mobility and international trade.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-03-25 |title=Togo's road transport sector under transformation |url=https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/togos-road-transport-sector-under-transformation |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.iru.org |language=en}}</ref> The country boasts a total road length of approximately 11,734 kilometers, equating to about 1.26 meters of road per inhabitant. Of this network, 1,794 kilometers are paved, accounting for roughly 15% of the total roadways.<ref name="worlddata.info">{{Cite web |title=Transport and infrastructure in Togo |url=https://www.worlddata.info/africa/togo/transport.php |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Worlddata.info |language=en}}</ref>

The primary arterial routes include a paved highway extending northward from the capital city, [[Lomé]], to the [[Burkina Faso]] border, and another running east–west along the coast, linking Lomé to neighboring [[Benin]] and [[Ghana]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bruce Emmanuel：Transportation System in Togo-电子科技大学西非研究中心 |url=https://cwas.uestc.edu.cn/info/1042/1624.htm |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=cwas.uestc.edu.cn}}</ref> These corridors are integral to regional connectivity and are part of the [[Trans–West African Coastal Highway|Trans-West African Coastal Highway system]], which aims to enhance trade and movement across [[West Africa]]n nations.

==== Challenges and developments ====
Despite the extensive network, Togo's road infrastructure faces several challenges.<ref name="worlddata.info"/> Many roads, especially unpaved ones, are in poor condition, characterized by deep potholes and inadequate maintenance. This deterioration contributes to hazardous driving conditions, compounded by the presence of pedestrians, livestock, and a high density of motorcycles. Overland travel off the main roads often necessitates the use of four-wheel-drive vehicles due to the challenging terrain.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Togo Traffic Safety while traveling. - CountryReports |url=https://www.countryreports.org/country/Togo/traffic.htm |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.countryreports.org}}</ref>

In response to these issues, Togo has embarked on initiatives to modernize its road transport sector.<ref name=":3" /> With support from the [[World Bank]] and guidance from the [[International Road Transport Union]], the [[Politics of Togo|Togolese government]] has introduced new transport legislation aimed at formalizing and professionalizing the industry. This legal framework seeks to improve the efficiency and safety of road transport, addressing longstanding infrastructural and operational challenges.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-07 |title=Togo adopts new law developed by IRU and World Bank to modernise transport |url=https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/togo-adopts-new-law-developed-iru-and-world-bank-modernise-transport |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.iru.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

==== Urban transportation ====
Within urban centers like Lomé, various modes of transportation are prevalent. Taxis, identifiable by their yellow license plates, offer a common means of travel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=7 Transportation Options In Togo - Kaijego Blog |url=https://www.kaijego.com/blog/post/7-transportation-options-in-togo |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=Kaijego |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Togo — Transportation |url=https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/africa/togo/transportation |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=www.iexplore.com}}</ref> Additionally, motorcycle taxis, known as "moto-taxis," provide a popular alternative, especially for navigating congested city streets. While moto-taxis are more economical and adept at maneuvering through traffic, they may not be suitable for passengers with significant luggage.<ref name=":4" />

===Railways===
[[File:Railways in Togo.svg|thumb|Railway network of Togo]]
Togo has a railway network of {{cvt|568|km}} as of 2008, with no further updates in the network as of 2023. It follows a [[track gauge]] of {{convert|1,000|mm|ftin|abbr=on|frac=8}} ([[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow gauge]]) Trains are operated by {{lang|fr|Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Togolais}} (SNCT), which was established as a result of the restructuring and renaming of {{lang|fr|Réseau des Chemins de Fer du Togo}} from 1997 to 1998.<ref name="JWR0506">{{cite book |editor-last=Harris |editor-first=Ken |title=Jane's World Railways 2005-2006 |edition=47th |page=464 |language=English |date=2005 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=0-7106-2710-6}}</ref> Between Hahotoé and the port of Kpémé, the {{lang|fr|Compagnie Togolaise des Mines du Bénin}} (CTMB) operated phosphate trains.<ref name="JWR0506"/>
[[File:Togo Eisenbahn 086 1990-02.jpg|thumb|A train from [[Lomé]] to [[Kpalimé]], at an intermediate station]]
The following are the railway networks present in the country:
*[[Lomé–Aného railway]]
*[[Lomé–Blitta railway]]
*[[Lomé–Kpalimé railway]]
*Hahotoé–Kpémé railway (operated by CTMB)<ref name="JWR0506"/>

===Air===
[[File:2014-06-16 17-21-49 Togo Maritime - Station Météo.JPG|thumb|[[Lomé–Tokoin International Airport]]]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2025}}
Togo has a total of eight airports, as of 2012, out of which two are [[international airport]]s and six are [[domestic airports]]. The only major airport of the country is [[Lomé–Tokoin International Airport]] serving the capital, Lomé, and another [[Niamtougou International Airport]] in [[Niamtougou]], serving the country's northern part.

===Water===
[[File:Déplacement de containers au port.jpg|thumb|Port of Lomé]]
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2025}}
Togo, in terms of water transport, is only {{cvt|50|km}} navigable, mostly seasonally on the [[Mono River]], depending on rainfall, as of 2011. Togo has only one large container port for carrying trade operations in and out of the country, the Port of Lomé, in the capital.

== Demographics ==
{{Main|Demographics of Togo}}
{|class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px"
! colspan="4"  style="text-align:center; background:#cfb;"|Population{{UN_Population|ref}}
|-
! style="background:#cfb;"|Year
! style="background:#cfb;"|Million
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|1950 ||style="text-align:right;"|1.4
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|2000 ||style="text-align:right;"|5.0
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|{{UN_Population|Year}} ||style="text-align:right;"|{{#expr:{{formatnum:{{UN_Population|Togo}}|R}}/1e6 round 1}}
|}
The November 2010 census gave Togo a population of 6,191,155, more than double the total counted in the last census; in 2022 the Togo population was 8,680,832.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://en.humandatas.com/pays/Togo | title=Population Togo - evolution population Togo - Pyramide des âges - age median - demographie - chiffres | access-date=7 October 2022 | archive-date=4 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104091410/https://en.humandatas.com/pays/Togo | url-status=live }}</ref> That census, taken in 1981, showed the nation had a population of 2,719,567. The capital, Lomé, grew from 375,499 in 1981 to 837,437 in 2010. When the urban population of surrounding Golfe prefecture is added, the Lomé Agglomeration contained 1,477,660 residents in 2010.<ref name="ReferenceA">[RGPH4 Recensement Général de la Population 2010]. Direction Générale de la Statistique et de la Comptabilité Nationale</ref><ref name="Données de Recensement">[http://www.stat-togo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=43&Itemid=96 Données de Recensement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026150747/http://www.stat-togo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=43&Itemid=96 |date=26 October 2021 }}. Direction Générale de la Statistique et de la Comptabilité Nationale</ref>

Other cities in Togo according to the new census were Sokodé (95,070), Kara (94,878), Kpalimé (75,084), Atakpamé (69,261), Dapaong (58,071) and Tsévié (54,474). With an estimated population of {{UN_Population|Togo}} ({{As of|{{UN_Population|Year}}|lc=y}}), Togo is the 107th largest country by population. Most of the population (65%) live in rural villages dedicated to agriculture or pastures. The population of Togo shows a stronger growth: from 1961 (the year after independence) to 2003 it quintupled.<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="Données de Recensement"/>
=== Ethnic groups ===
[[File:Togo-benin 1985-079 hg.jpg|thumb|People in the 1980s]]
In Togo, there are about 40 different ethnic groups, the most numerous of which are the [[Ewe people|Ewe]] in the south who make up 32% of the population. Along the southern coastline, they account for 21% of the population. Also found are [[Tem language|Kotokoli or Tem]] and [[Tchamba]] in the centre and the [[Kabye people]] in the north (22%). The {{ill|Ouatchi|fr|Waci (peuple)|lt=Ouatchis}} are 14% of the population. Sometimes the Ewes and Ouatchis are considered the same, while the French who studied both groups considered them different people.<ref>{{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of world geography |author1=Khan, M. Ali |author2=Sherieff, A. |author3=Balakishan, A. |year=2007 |publisher=Sarup & Sons |isbn=978-81-7625-773-2 |page=255 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GUwr1BpOCooC&pg=PA255 |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518182153/https://books.google.com/books?id=GUwr1BpOCooC&pg=PA255 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Other ethnic groups include the Mina, [[Mossi people|Mossi]], the Moba and Bassar, the Tchokossi of Mango (about 8%). Non-Africans include [[French people]] and [[Portuguese people]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo#ref55353|title=Togo &#124; Capital, Map, Religion, Population, & Facts &#124; Britannica}}</ref>

====The Adele people====
The Adele, who call themselves Bédéré, speak Gédéré, a language of the Gur family.<ref name = "Gayibor77to79>{{harvsp|Gayibor|1997|pp=77–79}}</ref> Their villages number about twenty, divided between eastern Ghana and the western edge of Togo’s Blitta prefecture.

According to their oral tradition, in the original village of Dibemkpa, the deity Ouroubwaré lowered four men and three women from the sky, who brought essential skills such as pottery, spinning, basketry, forging, and weaving. Over time, new migrations spread the community to Dikpéléou, site of the Nayo shrine, and then into multiple villages founded by different lineages.<ref name = "Gayibor77to79/>

Adélé settlements are known for their distinctive round, windowless houses with thatched roofs supported by external wooden posts. The village of Dibemkpa still holds numerous archaeological remains and is considered key for understanding the group’s historical or mythical origins.<ref name = "Gayibor77to79/>

====The Akebou people====
The Akebou live in one of the plateaus of the Atakora mountains in central Togo, accessible by road from Atakpamé to Badou.<ref name = "Gayibor80to85">{{harvsp|Gayibor|1997|pp=80–85}}</ref> Early settlement in the upper Gbankparé valley developed around independent villages, each maintaining shrines dedicated to local protective deities and affirming its autochthonous roots.

Over time, several groups joined this area. The first Ewe migrants, led by a figure named Aké or Eké, arrived in the late 18th century, settling near Lonfo and spreading into villages such as Vé and Kougnohou. A second wave of Ewe migrants in the late 19th century founded Djakpodji, which gave rise to other settlements. Additional groups included the Anyanga, who settled after conflicts in the plains, and the Ntribou, who fled Ashanti raids to find refuge in Akebou lands.<ref name = "Gayibor80to85"/>

To organize these diverse communities, a central chieftaincy was established at Lonfo, creating a unique political center in what had been an acephalous society. Lonfo’s dry hilltop site and stone-walled palace, unlike the forested villages around it, symbolized a place reserved for leadership rather than everyday settlement. Oral accounts recall three successive chiefs, culminating in the reign of Akountsou, whose rule ended the system amid local resistance.<ref name = "Gayibor80to85"/>

Archaeological remains of Lonfo’s stone structures still stand today, and libations are made in memory of the chiefs. The plii (chief) held significant ritual authority, separate from religious sanctuaries maintained by older villages. Despite the centralized role, each group retained its distinct identity and village territory within Akébou society.<ref name = "Gayibor80to85"/>

Conflicts with neighboring Ashanti and occasional disputes with Akposso communities marked parts of Akébou history. The introduction of firearms, possibly linked to coastal trade, may have reinforced the power of Lonfo’s leadership during regional conflicts.<ref name = "Gayibor80to85"/>

====The Ntrubo people====
The Ntrubo are represented in Togo by two small villages—Diguinge and Abosomkope—located in the southern part of the Adele plateau. Most Ntrubo communities, however, live in Ghana, just west of this area.<ref name = "Gayibor86to88">{{harvsp|Gayibor|1997|pp=86–88}}</ref>

In Togo, the Ntrubo coexist closely with the Adele, speaking both Delo, their own language, and the Adele language. Delo belongs to the Tem language group, which includes Tem (Kotokoli), Kabiye, Bago, and Lamba. This connection is linguistically puzzling because the Ntrubo are geographically isolated from other Tem speakers, suggesting that the region once formed a more continuous mountain settlement zone before later ethnic reshaping.<ref name = "Gayibor86to88"/>

Local genealogies trace the Diguinge community to an ancestor named Boisa, whose descendants spread across multiple villages. Abosomkope, by contrast, traces its origins to Gounou, a neighbor of Boisa, with settlement movements linked to the early rubber trade promoted by the Germans.<ref name = "Gayibor86to88"/>

Historical evidence suggests that the Ntrubo once formed part of an extensive mountain settlement area stretching from the Lamba in the north to the Adele in the south. Over time, migrations and the arrival of other groups—such as the Adele and Anyanga—have made the Ntribou a linguistic and cultural frontier at the southern edge of the Tem-speaking region.<ref name = "Gayibor86to88"/>

====The Akposso people====
The [[Kposo people|Akposso]] trace their origins to two main traditions: a belief in local autochthony, especially strong in the Logbo area, and a more widespread migration narrative from [[Notsé]], likely symbolic but possibly linked to the arrival of [[Ewe people|Ewe]] groups.<ref name = "Gayibor88to92">{{harvsp|Gayibor|1997|pp=88–92}}</ref>

According to oral accounts, the ancestor Ida founded [[:fr:Agbogboli|Agbogboli]], a fortified hilltop site between the Logbo and Haito mountains. From there, the Akposso moved westward to Akposso-Koubi in present-day Ghana, where they reportedly resisted expansionist neighbors like the Akwamu in the 17th century. Subsequent migrations spread eastward into today’s Akposso Plateau through multiple waves and lineages.<ref name = "Gayibor88to92"/>

The Akposso society consists of several major groups, including the Litime, Ouwui, Ikponou, Logbo, and Ouma, each with its own villages. Linguistically, the Akposso speak Akposso, classified by early scholars in the Avatime-Bouem group. Contacts with neighboring peoples have shaped distinct dialects: Ikposso, Logbo, and Ikpana, with additional Ewe and Ashanti influences.<ref name = "Gayibor88to92"/>

Politically, traditional Akposso communities were decentralized, governed by village elders whose authority was primarily ritual. There was no overarching chiefdom until the colonial era introduced the role of awli (supreme chief). Despite this, they maintained a strong cultural cohesion through shared religious practices, notably the cult of the deity Kolissa, guardian of agricultural rites like the fonio harvest festival known today as Ovazau.<ref name = "Gayibor88to92"/>

====The Bogo ([[Ahlon language|Ahlon]]) people====
The Bogo (also called Ahlon) are a small group of about 6,000 people living in the valleys of Danyi, Togo, and parts of Ghana. They descend from a mix of an ancient clan, the Issassoumè, and later migrant groups possibly from Ilé-Ifè or Notsé.<ref name = "Gayibor92to95">{{harvsp|Gayibor|1997|pp=92–95}}</ref>

Their society is structured around three main clans (Boloè, Bougli, Bonoè) plus the Issassoumè, who are recognized as the original landowners. Political power is shared: the Boloè hold the chieftaincy, the Bonoè manage regalia, and the Bougli provide warriors. The Issassoumè alone grant the sacred clay used in chief installation rituals.<ref name = "Gayibor92to95"/>

Religious life centers on the Danyi River and the Odo sanctuary at Inénébia. Despite Ewe influence, the Bogo remain culturally distinct and keep their Igo language alive.<ref name = "Gayibor92to95"/>

=== Religion ===
{{Main|Religion in Togo }}

{{Pie chart
| thumb = left
| caption = Religion in Togo (Arda 2020 estimate)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=221c|title=Religions in Togo &#124; Arda|website=www.globalreligiousfutures.org|access-date=17 October 2020|archive-date=6 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230306005400/https://www.thearda.com/world-religion/national-profiles?u=221c|url-status=live}}</ref>
| label1 = [[Christianity]]
| value1 = 47.84
| color1 = Blue
| label3 = [[Islam]]
| value3 = 18.36
| color3 = Green
| label2 = [[Traditional African religions|Traditional faiths]]
| value2 = 33.43
| color2 = Yellow
| label4 = [[Irreligion|No religion]]
| value4 = 0.23
| color4 = Grey
| label5 = Other
| value5 = 1.14
| color5 = Black
| value6 = 
| color6 = Yellow
| value7 = 
| color7 =
}}[[File:Kpalime.jpg|thumb|left|Church in [[Kpalime]]]]
{{Largest cities
| country      = Togo
| stat_ref     = According to the 2010 Census<ref>{{Cite web|title=Togo|work=City Population|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/togo/cities/|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805142020/http://citypopulation.de/en/togo/cities/|url-status=live}}</ref>
| div_name     = Region

| city_1 = Lomé
| div_1 = Maritime Region, Togo{{!}}Maritime
| pop_1 = 1,477,658
| img_1 = Quartier des administrations (Lomé, Togo).jpg

| city_2 = Sokodé
| div_2 = Centrale Region, Togo{{!}}Centrale
| pop_2 = 117,811
| img_2 = Sokodé-centre-ville.jpg

| city_3 = Kara, Togo{{!}}Kara
| div_3 = Kara Region{{!}}Kara
| pop_3 = 94,878
| img_3 = Kara, Togo - panoramio - Milos58.jpg

| city_4 = Kpalimé
| div_4 = Plateaux Region, Togo{{!}}Plateaux
| pop_4 = 75,084
| img_4 = Kpalime.jpg

| city_5 = Atakpamé
| div_5 = Plateaux Region, Togo{{!}}Plateaux
| pop_5 = 69,261

| city_6 = Dapaong
| div_6 = Savanes Region, Togo{{!}}Savanes
| pop_6 = 58,071

| city_7 = Tsévié
| div_7 = Maritime Region, Togo{{!}}Maritime
| pop_7 = 54,474

| city_8 = Anié
| div_8 = Plateaux Region, Togo{{!}}Plateaux
| pop_8 = 37,398

| city_9 = Notsé
| div_9 = Plateaux Region, Togo{{!}}Plateaux
| pop_9 = 35,039

| city_10 = Cinkassé
| div_10 = Savanes Region, Togo{{!}}Savanes
| pop_10 = 26,926

}}
According to a 2012 US government religious freedoms report, in 2004 the [[University of Lomé]] estimated that 33% of the population were traditional animists, 28% were Roman Catholic, 20% Sunni Muslim, 9% Protestant and another 5% belonged to other Christian denominations. The remaining 5% were reported to include persons not affiliated with any religious group. The report noted that "many" Christians and Muslims continue to perform indigenous religious practices.<ref name="Togo 2012">{{cite web |year=2012 |title=Togo 2012 International Religious Freedom Report |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/208418.pdf |access-date=17 March 2023 |website=2009-2017 Archive for the U.S. Department of State |publisher=[[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor]] |page=1 |language=en |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303004947/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/208418.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, [[The World Factbook]] stated that 42.3% of the population was Christian and 14% Muslim, with 36.9% being followers of indigenous beliefs, less than one percent being [[Hindus]], [[Jews]], and followers of other religions, and 6.2% being [[Irreligion|unaffiliated]].<ref name="cia.gov" />

[[Christianity]] began to spread from the middle of the 15th century, after the arrival of Portuguese [[Roman Catholic|Catholic]] missionaries. Germans introduced [[Protestantism]] in the second half of the 19th century when a hundred missionaries of the Bremen Missionary Society were sent to the coastal areas of Togo and Ghana. Togo's Protestants were known as "Brema", a corruption of the word "[[Bremen]]". After [[World War I]], German missionaries had to leave, which gave birth to the early autonomy of the Ewe Evangelical Church.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Decalo|first1=Samuel|title=Historical Dictionary of Togo |date=1996|publisher=Scarecrow Press|isbn=9780810830738|page=74}}</ref>

In 2022, Freedom House rated Togo's religious freedom as 3 out of 4,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.freedomhouse.org/country/togo/freedom-world/2022 |title=Freedom House, Retrieved 2023-04-25 |access-date=27 April 2023 |archive-date=17 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517135624/https://freedomhouse.org/country/togo/freedom-world/2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> noting that religious freedom is constitutionally protected and generally respected in practice. Islam, Catholicism and Protestantism are recognised by the state; other groups must register as religious associations to receive similar benefits. The registration process has been subject to long delays with almost 900 applications pending at the beginning of 2021.

=== Languages ===
{{main|Languages of Togo}}
According to Ethnologue, 39 distinct languages are spoken in the country, some of them by communities that number fewer than 100,000 members.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TG|website=Ethnologue.com|title=Languages of Togo|access-date=31 October 2010|archive-date=29 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029075952/http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=TG|url-status=live}}</ref> Of the 39 languages, the sole [[official language]] is French.<ref name="iccia.com">{{cite web |title=Country Profile {{!}} The Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (ICCIA) |url=http://iccia.com/?q=countryprofile/home/code&code=tg |website=iccia.com |access-date=27 January 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418214950/https://iccia.com/?q=countryprofile/home/code&code=tg |url-status=live }}</ref> Two spoken indigenous languages were designated politically as [[national language]]s in 1975: [[Ewe language|Ewé]] ({{langx|ee|Èʋegbe}}; {{langx|fr|Evé}}) and [[Kabiyé language|Kabiyé]].<ref name="iccia.com"/>

Though not native to most groups, French is used in formal education, legislature, all forms of media, [[Administration (law)|administration]] and commerce. Ewe is a language of wider communication in the south. [[Tem language|Tem]] functions to a limited extent as a trade language in some northern towns.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/country/TG|title=Togo|website=Ethnologue.com|access-date=26 August 2017|archive-date=17 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417113622/https://www.ethnologue.com/country/TG|url-status=live}}</ref> Officially, Ewe and Kabiye are "national languages", which in the Togolese context means languages that are promoted in formal education and used in the media. Others are Gen, Aja, Moba, Ntcham, and Ife. In joining the Commonwealth, the Togolese government has anticipated opportunities for Togolese citizens to learn English.<ref name=":2" />

=== Health ===
The Human Rights Measurement Initiative<ref>{{Cite web |title=Human Rights Measurement Initiative – The first global initiative to track the human rights performance of countries |url=https://humanrightsmeasurement.org/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=humanrightsmeasurement.org |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308173546/https://humanrightsmeasurement.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> finds that Togo is fulfilling 73.1% of what it should be fulfilling for the right to health based on its level of income.<ref name="Togo - HRMI Rights Tracker">{{Cite web |title=Togo - HRMI Rights Tracker |url=https://rightstracker.org/ |access-date=2022-03-31 |website=rightstracker.org |language=en |archive-date=19 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519142734/https://rightstracker.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Togo achieves 93.8% of what is expected based on its current income.<ref name="Togo - HRMI Rights Tracker"/> In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 88.2% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.<ref name="Togo - HRMI Rights Tracker"/> It falls into the "very bad" category when evaluating the right to reproductive health because the nation is fulfilling 37.3% of what the nation is expected to achieve based on the resources (income) it has available.<ref name="Togo - HRMI Rights Tracker"/>

Health expenditure in Togo was 5.2% of GDP in 2014, which ranks the country in 45th place in the world.<ref name="cia.gov"/> The [[infant mortality]] rate is approximately 43.7 deaths per 1,000 children in 2016.<ref name="cia.gov"/> Male [[life expectancy at birth]] was at 62.3 in 2016, whereas it was at 67.7 years for females.<ref name="cia.gov"/> There were 5 physicians per 100,000 people in 2008<ref name="cia.gov"/> According to a 2013 UNICEF report,<ref name=UNICEF2013p27>[http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf UNICEF 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405083031/http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf |date=5 April 2015 }}, p. 27.</ref> 4% of women in Togo have undergone [[female genital mutilation]].

{{As of|2015}}, the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Togo is 368, compared with 350 in 2010 and 539.7 in 1990.<ref name="cia.gov"/> The under 5 mortality rate per 1,000 births is 100, and the neonatal mortality as a percentage of under 5's mortality is 32. In Togo the number of midwives per 1,000 live births is 2 and the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is 1 in 67.<ref name="SOWMY">{{cite web|url=http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/report/home.html|title=The State Of The World's Midwifery|publisher=United Nations Population Fund|access-date=1 August 2011|archive-date=20 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120184853/http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/report/home.html|url-status=live}} Accessed August 2011.</ref>

In 2016, Togo had 4100 (2400–6100) new HIV infections and 5100 (3100–7700) AIDS-related deaths. There were 100,000 (73,000-130,000) people living with HIV in 2016, among whom 51% (37-67%) were accessing antiretroviral therapy. Among pregnant women living with HIV, 86% (59% - >95%) were accessing treatment or prophylaxis to prevent transmission of HIV to their children. An estimated <1000 (<500-1400) children were newly infected with HIV due to mother-to-child transmission. Among people living with HIV, approximately 42% (30-55%) had suppressed viral loads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/togo|title=Togo|website=www.unaids.org|access-date=14 December 2019|archive-date=31 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731160404/https://www.unaids.org/en/regionscountries/countries/togo|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[French Development Agency|AFD]] is working to enhance living conditions in [[Lomé]], the coastal city with a population of 1.4 million, by modernizing [[Waste management|solid waste management services.]] The project involves enhancing garbage collection through the construction of a new [[landfill]] that meets international standards.<ref name=":111">{{Cite web |last=Bank |first=European Investment |date=2023-02-23 |title=The Clean Oceans Initiative |url=https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20230014-the-clean-oceans-initiative |language=EN |access-date=24 February 2023 |archive-date=23 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230223145820/https://www.eib.org/en/publications/20230014-the-clean-oceans-initiative |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Clean Oceans Initiative |url=https://www.afd.fr/en/the-clean-oceans-initiative |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=www.afd.fr |language=en |archive-date=24 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224075540/https://www.afd.fr/en/the-clean-oceans-initiative |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2024, a Universal Health Insurance program was launched, covering 800,000 people within six months and implemented through the National Social Security Fund and the National Health Insurance Institute.<ref>{{Cite web |last=First |first=Togo |title=Togo's Universal Health Insurance Covers 800,000 People in First Six Months |url=https://www.togofirst.com/en/social/1207-14440-togos-universal-health-insurance-covers-800-000-people-in-first-six-months |access-date=2024-07-12 |website=www.togofirst.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>

=== Education ===
[[Education in Togo]] is compulsory for six years.<ref name=ilab>[http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2001/Togo.htm "Togo"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080202100024/http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/media/reports/iclp/tda2001/togo.htm |date=2 February 2008 }}. ''2001 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor''. [[Bureau of International Labor Affairs]], [[U.S. Department of Labor]] (2002). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].</ref> In 1996, the gross primary enrollment rate was 119.6%, and the net primary enrollment rate was 81.3%.<ref name=ilab/> In 2011, the net enrollment rate was 94%. The education system has "suffered from teacher shortages, lower educational quality in rural areas, and high repetition and dropout rates".<ref name=ilab/>
== Culture ==
{{Main|Culture of Togo|Music of Togo}}
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2025}}
[[File:Togo Taberma house 04.jpg|thumb|Taberma houses]]
Togo's cultural life reflects traditions of its major groups: Ewe/Mina in the south and Kabye/Tem in the north, notably the regional use of Ewe and Kabiye as widely spoken languages,<ref>{{cite web |title=Togo |website=Britannica |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo |date=9 October 2025 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> Ewe-Mina religious practices centered on the creator god Mawu and associated vodun,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ewe |website=Britannica |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ewe-people |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> and among the Kabye the Evala wrestling initiation rite,<ref>{{cite web |title=[Africa] Evala |website=UNESCO ICM |publisher=International Centre of Martial Arts under the auspices of UNESCO |url=https://www.unescoicm.org/eng/library/global_martialarts.php?code=global_martialarts_eng&idx=7179 |date=22 December 2020 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> while the Guin community (linked historically to the Mina on the southeast coast) marks the new year with the Epé-Ekpé "taking of the stone" ceremony at Glidji.<ref>{{cite web |title=Togo: Guin people mark new year with Sacred Stone ceremony |website=Africanews |publisher=Africanews |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/08/30/togo-guin-people-mark-new-year-with-sacred-stone-ceremony/ |date=30 August 2024 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref>

Among Ewe communities, twin statuettes known as venavi (and hohovi among the Fon) venerate and memorialize twins; the Yoruba counterpart is the ère ìbejì (ibeji).<ref>{{cite web |title=Female twin figure (Ère Ìbejì) |website=Brooklyn Museum |url=https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/objects/104393 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Statue de jumeau Vénavi, "enfant de mère de jumeaux" |website=RMN–Grand Palais (musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac) |url=https://art.rmngp.fr/fr/library/artworks/statue-de-jumeau-venavi-enfant-de-mere-de-jumeaux_pigment_perle-objet_bois-matiere |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Journée gémellité (notice d’exposition) |website=musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac |url=https://m.quaibranly.fr/fr/expositions-evenements/au-musee/spectacles-fetes-et-evenements/fetes-et-evenements/details-de-levenement/e/journee-gemellite-38332 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> In the Kloto/Kpalimé carving tradition, artisans are noted for "marriage chains" linking two figures with rings carved from a single block of wood.<ref>{{cite web |title=Togo: Artisanats d'arts |website=TogoCultures |url=https://togocultures.com/togo-artisanats-darts/ |date=22 October 2015 |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref>

Weaving traditions are also prominent in Togo (e.g., the Bafilo weaving centre), with ceremonial garments produced by local artisans.<ref>{{cite web |title=Le centre de tissage de Bafilo |website=Ambassade de France au Togo |date=2 July 2020 |url=https://tg.ambafrance.org/Le-centre-de-tissage-de-Bafilo-un-projet-en-faveur-des-droits-des-femmes |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref> Beyond weaving, wax-print cloth (pagne) is central to dress and social life in Togo: Togolese women traders shaped the design and circulation of these textiles, which function as valued attire for ceremonies and markers of taste and status in colonial and postcolonial contexts.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sylvanus |first=Nina |title=Patterns in Circulation: Cloth, Gender, and Materiality in West Africa |publisher=University of Chicago Press |year=2016 |isbn=9780226397221 |url=https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/P/bo25126083.html |access-date=10 November 2025}}</ref>

[[Basketball]] is Togo's "second most practiced sport".<ref>{{cite news |author1=Kayi Lawson |title=Le basketball, une discipline en quêtes de moyen et de vocations au Togo |url=https://www.voaafrique.com/a/le-basketball-une-discipline-en-qu%C3%AAtes-de-moyen-et-de-vocations-au-togo/5907971.html |accessdate=7 August 2021 |work=VOA Afrique |date=28 May 2021 |language=French |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104103533/https://www.voaafrique.com/a/le-basketball-une-discipline-en-qu%C3%AAtes-de-moyen-et-de-vocations-au-togo/5907971.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Togo featured a national team in [[beach volleyball]] that competed at the [[2018–2020 CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup]] in the men's section.<ref>{{cite news |title=Continental Cup Finals start in Africa |url=https://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/continental-cup-finals-start-in-africa?id=94414 |accessdate=7 August 2021 |work=[[FIVB]] |date=22 June 2021 |archive-date=7 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807141038/https://www.fivb.com/en/about/news/continental-cup-finals-start-in-africa?id=94414 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Mass media in Togo]] includes radio, television, and online and print formats. The {{interlanguage link|Agence Togolaise de Presse|fr|Agence togolaise de presse}} news agency began in 1975.<ref name=Europ2003>{{cite book |title= Africa South of the Sahara 2003 |series= Regional Surveys of the World |publisher= [[Europa Publications]] |issn= 0065-3896 |chapter= Togo: Directory |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=1KBP7QbalX0C |page= 1106+ |year= 2003 |isbn= 9781857431315 |ref= {{harvid|Europa|2003}} |access-date= 21 February 2021 |archive-date= 18 May 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240518182153/https://books.google.com/books?id=1KBP7QbalX0C |url-status= live }}</ref> The Union des Journalistes Independants du Togo press association is headquartered in Lomé.<ref name=Europ2003/> [[Togolese Television]] is the state-owned service.

== See also ==
{{portal|Africa}}
* [[List of Togolese people]]
* [[Outline of Togo]]
* [[Horses in Togo]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* Bullock, A L C, ''Germany's Colonial Demands'' (Oxford University Press, 1939).
* Gründer, Horst, ''Geschichte der deutschen Kolonien'', 3. Aufl. (Paderborn, 1995).
* Mwakikagile, Godfrey, ''Military Coups in West Africa Since The Sixties'' ([[Nova Science Publishers, Inc.]], 2001).
* Packer, George, ''The Village of Waiting'' (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1988).
* Piot, Charles, ''Nostalgia for the Future: West Africa After the Cold War'' (University of Chicago Press, 2010).
* Schnee, Dr. Heinrich, ''German Colonization, Past and Future – the Truth about the German Colonies'' (George Allen & Unwin, 1926).
* Sebald, Peter, ''Togo 1884 bis 1914. Eine Geschichte der deutschen "Musterkolonie" auf der Grundlage amtlicher Quellen'' (Berlin, 1987).
* Seely, Jennifer, ''The Legacies of Transition Governments in Africa: The Cases of Benin and Togo'' (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009).
* Zurstrassen, Bettina, ''"Ein Stück deutscher Erde schaffen". Koloniale Beamte in Togo 1884–1914'' (Frankfurt/M., Campus, 2008) (Campus Forschung, 931).
* {{cite book | last=Gayibor | first=Théodore | title=Histoire des Togolais des origines aux années 1960 | publisher=Éditions Karthala Presses de l'UL, Université de Lome | publication-place=Paris Lome | year=1997 | isbn=978-2-8111-0481-8 | language=fr }}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|wikt=Togo|n=Category:Togo|q=no|s=Portal:Togo|b=no|voy=Togo|v=no}}
* {{Official website|https://www.togo.gouv.tg/}}, Republic of Togo {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://www.assemblee-nationale.tg/ National Assembly of Togo] official site
* [https://ecowap.ecowas.int/country/Togo Togo] profile from [[ECOWAS]]
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14106781 Country Profile] from the [[BBC News]]
* {{wikiatlas|Togo}}
* {{OSM relation|192782}}
* [https://www.aljazeera.com/where/togo/ News headline links] from [[Al Jazeera]].
* [https://www.democracynow.org/topics/togo Togo], Democracy Now!
* [https://www.newint.org/regions/togo Country Profile] from [[New Internationalist]]
* [https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo Togo] from [[Encyclopædia Britannica]]

{{Togo topics}}
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