The Port of Lome in Togo has been actively promoting its services to Mali, a landlocked country, in an effort to strengthen their maritime corridor cooperation. A recent meeting in Bamako brought together representatives from various Malian government agencies, industry associations, and economic operators, as well as officials from the Port of Lome. The goal was to showcase the capabilities of the Port of Lome, enhance relations with Malian shippers, and explore ways to improve the corridor between the two countries.
The meeting was opened by Adama Yoro Sidibe, Secretary General of the Malian Ministry of Industry and Commerce, who emphasized the importance of strengthening economic cooperation between Mali and Togo. He noted that access to maritime corridors and efficient supply chains are crucial for Mali's economic sovereignty, industrialization, and competitiveness. The country's reliance on a single corridor can be a significant risk, and diversifying access to the sea is essential for Malian operators.
Cheick Hamed Tidiane Tall, Secretary General of the Malian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, also spoke at the meeting, highlighting the need for a durable partnership between Malian shippers and the Port of Lome. He emphasized that the cooperation should yield concrete results, including facilitated transit, controlled costs, faster operations, and improved service quality. Tall also stressed the importance of complementarity between regional port platforms, saying that healthy competition should benefit economic operators and enhance trade competitiveness.
The Togolese delegation, led by Haladoko Awemewetou Ahmed, Secretary General of the Alliance for the Promotion of the Port of Lome (A2PL), presented the port's performance and capabilities to the Malian audience. According to Ahmed, the Port of Lome handled nearly 36 million tons of goods and 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in 2025. The port has also invested in infrastructure and handling equipment, enabling it to efficiently handle strategic products such as wheat, rice, hydrocarbons, and construction materials.
The Togolese delegation also highlighted its efforts to digitalize port procedures, although it acknowledged that complete dematerialization of formalities is still an ongoing process. To mitigate potential disruptions, a monitoring and follow-up system has been put in place to address administrative and technical issues, accelerate cargo handling, and maintain a permanent dialogue with operators. Ahmed emphasized that the Port of Lome is committed to accompanying Malian shippers and values their loyalty.
One of the key challenges in the cooperation between Mali and Togo is reducing transit costs and logistical obstacles between Lome and Bamako. The Togolese delegation assured that port officials will remain available to address concerns from Malian shippers and improve services. The meeting demonstrated that the partnership between Bamako and Lome goes beyond promoting a port platform, as it addresses a critical issue for Mali's economy: the conditions for transporting goods.
The strengthened cooperation between Mali and Togo is expected to enhance trade competitiveness and facilitate the transportation of goods. Key aspects of the partnership include improved service quality, controlled costs, and faster operations. The collaboration will be crucial in determining the success of the maritime corridor and its impact on Mali's economy.
Key points
- The Port of Lome handled nearly 36 million tons of goods and 2.5 million TEUs in 2025.
