The Togolese Republic is hosting a national workshop from October 28, 2026, to combat maritime crime and financial crimes. The workshop, organized by the National Cell for the Treatment of Financial Information, aims to assess risks, identify threats, and strengthen coordination between institutions. It is supported by the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West and Central Africa (GIABA) and the African Development Bank (AfDB). The workshop is based on a new legislation adopted in March 2026, which is compliant with international standards.
The workshop has sparked criticism from some quarters, who argue that the government's efforts to combat financial crimes are undermined by a lack of transparency in its own dealings. The Togolese government has been accused of not being transparent in its management of public funds, particularly in the mining sector. The country's phosphate exports have been a major source of revenue, with India being the largest customer. However, the terms of these deals are not publicly disclosed, fueling concerns about corruption and mismanagement.
Togo has a history of maritime crime, with several ships flying the Togolese flag being intercepted with large quantities of cocaine. In 2023, two ships, the Blume and the Orion V, were seized off the coast of the Canary Islands with over four tons of cocaine each. Another Togolese-flagged fishing boat was intercepted in the Pacific Ocean in January 2026 with nearly five tons of cocaine. The government has been accused of not doing enough to prevent such crimes and of not being transparent about the ownership and registration of these ships.
The country's port, which is a major economic hub, has also been criticized for a lack of transparency. The Autonomous Port of Lomé is said to be the lifeblood of the national economy, but there is a lack of publicly available information on port revenues, concessions, and markets. This opacity has raised concerns about corruption and mismanagement. An independent audit of the port's finances and operations has been called for to provide greater transparency.
The Togolese government's debt has also been a cause for concern, with the public debt standing at over 4,288 billion CFA francs (approximately $7.3 billion) at the end of the first quarter of 2025. This represents about 70% of the country's GDP, which is close to the community threshold. The International Monetary Fund has noted high budget deficits and rapidly increasing debt. Critics argue that the government's efforts to combat financial crimes must be accompanied by greater transparency and accountability in its own dealings.
The issue of transparency is also relevant to the country's phosphate exports. The Togolese government exports all of its phosphate in its natural state, without processing it, and India has become the largest customer. However, the terms of these deals are not publicly disclosed, raising concerns about corruption and mismanagement. The government has been accused of not being transparent about the prices at which it sells its phosphate and to whom.
In conclusion, while the national workshop on combating maritime crime and financial crimes is a positive step, critics argue that the government's efforts must be accompanied by greater transparency and accountability in its own dealings. The government must be willing to disclose information about its management of public funds, including the use of loans and the terms of phosphate deals. Only then can it be seen as a credible partner in the fight against financial crimes.
Key points
- The Togolese government has been accused of lacking transparency in its management of public funds, particularly in the mining sector.
- The country's port has been criticized for a lack of transparency, with calls for an independent audit of its finances and operations.
- The government's debt has been a cause for concern, with the public debt standing at over 4,288 billion CFA francs (approximately $7.3 billion) at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
