On October 27, 2026, Togolese President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, presided over a ceremony in Moscow where two cooperation agreements and a memorandum of understanding were signed. These new instruments aim to diversify and deepen the relations between Togo and Russia. The agreements were signed during Faure Gnassingbé's visit to Moscow for the third Russia-Africa Summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
The first agreement, signed with the Russian organization Eurasia, focuses on multisectoral cooperation, including humanitarian action, education, healthcare, scientific research, culture, and social development. This accord opens up prospects for financing structuring projects, creating agricultural centers, vocational training, and strengthening food security. The youth, technology, and sustainable development sectors are also areas of cooperation.
The second agreement, signed with Rossotroudnitchestvo, the Russian Federal Agency for International Humanitarian Cooperation, aims to intensify educational, university, scientific, and cultural exchanges between Togo and Russia. The agreement includes providing scholarships for Togolese students to pursue their studies in Russian universities, contributing to the reinforcement of Togo's national human capital.
A memorandum of understanding was also signed between the Togolese National Commission for Human Rights (CNDH) and the Russian Federation's Human Rights Mediator. This instrument establishes a framework for exchanging experiences and best practices to improve institutional mechanisms for promoting and protecting fundamental rights.
Faure Gnassingbé expressed his gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for inviting him to the summit and welcomed the willingness of Russian partners to support Togo's development ambitions. He also appreciated the project to create Russian Houses in Togo, which will promote cultural exchanges and rapprochement between the two nations.
The Togolese President of the Council emphasized Togo's commitment to protecting human rights, highlighting the situation of populations, particularly young people, exposed to terrorist threats and violent extremism in the sub-region. These new agreements build on the dynamic initiated on October 1, 2026, in Lomé, during the first meeting of the Togo-Russia Intergovernmental Mixed Commission.
The agreements reflect the common will of Lomé and Moscow to establish a more diversified partnership based on concrete achievements and mutual benefits. For Togo, the challenge now lies in translating these agreements into operational projects, training opportunities, and tangible benefits for its populations.
Key points
- The agreements focus on education, healthcare, and human rights.
- The partnerships aim to promote cultural exchanges and sustainable development.
- The cooperation instruments were signed during Faure Gnassingbé's visit to Moscow for the Russia-Africa Summit.
