The governments of Togo and Japan have signed an agreement worth 615 million Yens, approximately 2.4 billion FCFA, to support the development of road maintenance training in Togo. The deal, signed on November 12, 2027, in Lomé, aims to strengthen the capacities of the Centre régional de formation pour l'entretien routier (CERFER). This center provides training for road maintenance personnel in Togo and other West African countries.
The agreement is part of Japan's Economic and Social Development Program (PDES), which aims to support developing countries. Through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Japanese government will provide Togo with the funds to acquire equipment for training, road maintenance, and management. The goal is to improve road conditions and traffic flow in the region by enhancing the skills of road maintenance personnel.
The signing ceremony was attended by Togolese Finance and Budget Minister Essowè Georges Barcola, Japanese Ambassador Junji Gomakubo, and JICA Resident Representative Koichi Kato. Minister Barcola emphasized that the agreement reflects the strong cooperation between Togo and Japan, with a focus on concrete interventions that address the needs of the population.
Minister Barcola also highlighted the importance of the agreement in supporting Togo's economic transformation vision, as outlined in the country's new 2026-2031 roadmap. This roadmap aligns with the declaration made by President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development in 2025, which emphasized the need for quality infrastructure and skilled personnel to drive sustainable development.
Japanese Ambassador Junji Gomakubo reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting Togo's infrastructure development efforts. He announced plans to launch a technical cooperation project focused on enhancing road maintenance and management capacities in French-speaking West African countries. The project will also include human resource development initiatives.
The agreement is not only an economic cooperation effort but also a cultural exchange initiative. Ambassador Gomakubo mentioned that Japan and Togo are developing cultural exchanges, with various activities aimed at introducing Togolese people to Japanese culture. He also noted the progress made on the Sokodé bypass project, which is funded through non-reimbursable aid and is expected to be completed soon.
The 2.4 billion FCFA agreement is a significant boost to Togo's road maintenance training capabilities, with a focus on sustainability and human resource development. The project is expected to improve road conditions, traffic flow, and road safety in the region, contributing to the economic and social development of Togo and West Africa.
Key points
- Togo and Japan have signed a 2.4 billion FCFA agreement to support road maintenance training at CERFER.
- The agreement aims to improve road conditions and traffic flow in West Africa by enhancing the skills of road maintenance personnel.
- The project is part of Japan's Economic and Social Development Program (PDES) and will be implemented through the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
