The Togolese economy could experience significant growth with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). A report by Ayre Think Tank, published on November 5, 2026, suggests that Togo could see its gross domestic product (GDP) increase by $172 million over a 10-year period. The study, titled The Ayre Index: The 2026 Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index, evaluates the ability of young people aged 15 to 29 to benefit from AI in 56 Commonwealth countries. Togo ranks 37th out of 56 countries in terms of youth preparation for AI.
The report highlights several challenges that Togo must overcome to harness the potential of AI. Despite having a 99.7% 4G network coverage, only 44.9% of young people use the internet, due to high mobile data costs and poor connection quality. The cost of mobile data represents 9.46% of the average monthly income in Togo, and over a fifth of the income of the poorest 40% of the population. Additionally, 74.4% of businesses report experiencing internet disruptions, limiting online learning, entrepreneurship, and technology adoption.
Education and training are also significant weaknesses for Togo. The country scores only 2.5 out of 10 in this area, according to the study's indicators. The report notes a relatively low proportion of trained teachers and a lack of data to assess the digital and AI skills of young Togolese people. Furthermore, the linguistic challenge is significant, as AI systems do not adequately support local languages, with the country's score being under 40 out of 100 for digital support of all languages spoken on its territory.
To address these challenges, the Togolese government has launched several initiatives. In September 2026, it began testing the "Voix du Togo" initiative, which aims to develop AI tools that can understand and use national languages, such as Ewe, Kabiye, and Moba. The government has also started training 101 specialists to manage new pedagogical innovation laboratories, allowing students to experiment with technologies and develop practical skills.
The report also mentions other actions aimed at preparing Togo's youth for the AI revolution. In August 2026, the government began introducing AI into technical and vocational education, with a focus on matching training to employer needs. Additionally, a program to support technological entrepreneurship was announced in March 2026, including mentoring and access to financing for young tech companies.
According to a 2022 survey cited in the report, 24.7% of Togolese people aged 18 to 29 are creating or running young businesses, with 83.9% citing a lack of jobs as a motivation. The Ayre Think Tank identifies five priorities for Togo to transform its potential into opportunities: making technologies more affordable and reliable, developing practical skills education, strengthening links between training and employment, designing AI tools adapted to local languages and needs, and ensuring that young people can contest automated decisions.
The $172 million estimated gain is a potential effect of AI on Togo's GDP over 10 years, not a forecast of annual gains or a guarantee of economic returns. The AI revolution presents a new window of opportunity for Togo, but it is crucial to provide the country's youth with the technical, financial, and educational means to become actors in their development, rather than just consumers of technologies designed elsewhere.
Key points
- Togo ranks 37th out of 56 Commonwealth countries in terms of youth preparation for AI.
- The country could gain $172 million over 10 years with the integration of AI.
- Togo faces significant challenges, including high mobile data costs, poor internet connectivity, and limited education and training in AI.
