On November 9, 2026, Togo's President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé met with Ousmane Diagana, Vice President of the World Bank Group for West and Central Africa, to discuss the state of their partnership and explore new areas of cooperation. The meeting focused on strengthening economic ties and promoting sustainable development. The two officials reviewed progress made and identified opportunities for growth. This cooperation aims to support Togo's economic transformation and development goals. The World Bank's engagement in Togo is guided by the Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2025-2029.
Diagana expressed satisfaction with the quality of relations between the World Bank and Togo, reaffirming the institution's commitment to supporting the country's development ambitions. He emphasized that the primary objective is to boost the Togolese economy, creating more and better jobs, particularly for young people and women. This approach is crucial for shared prosperity and poverty reduction, aligning with the World Bank's core mission. The World Bank's support for Togo's development priorities is expected to drive economic growth and improve living standards.
Discussions centered on enhancing the agricultural sector's potential, transforming it into a driver of economic development and job creation. Diagana highlighted the need for a new approach to agricultural development, extending beyond food production to generate economic activities and employment opportunities. This strategy seeks to position farmers as entrepreneurs, fostering economic growth and job creation in the sector. By adopting this approach, Togo aims to maximize the sector's contribution to its economy.
The meeting also covered financing for investments in other priority sectors with high growth and job creation potential, such as energy and the digital economy. Human capital development through education, vocational training, healthcare, and nutrition is another key area of cooperation. These initiatives are expected to drive economic diversification and improve the business environment. The World Bank's support for Togo's development priorities is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economic prospects.
Diagana and Gnassingbé also discussed regional security and environmental challenges facing Togo and other West African countries. The region's instability and climate change effects hinder development prospects, necessitating concerted responses. The World Bank's cooperation with Togo is designed to address these challenges and promote sustainable development. The two officials recognized the need for collaborative solutions to address these pressing issues.
The Country Partnership Framework (CPF) 2025-2029 guides the World Bank's engagement in Togo, focusing on three main areas: improving job quality in the private sector, strengthening human capital, and promoting inclusive and resilient territorial development. Through this partnership, Togo aims to pursue economic and social transformation with World Bank support, focusing on growth, employment, and improved living standards. The CPF provides a roadmap for the World Bank's support for Togo's development priorities.
The cooperation between Togo and the World Bank is expected to yield positive outcomes, driving economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards. The two partners are committed to working together to address the country's development challenges and promote sustainable development. By leveraging the World Bank's expertise and resources, Togo aims to achieve its development goals and improve the well-being of its citizens.
Key points
- The World Bank and Togo are partnering to transform the agricultural sector into a driver of economic development and job creation.
