Togo has secured new financing from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) to expand petroleum storage capacity at the Lomé Petroleum Complex (COMPEL). The financing, approved during BOAD's 152nd Board of Directors meeting on 24 September 2026, includes CFAF 37 billion, equivalent to approximately $64 million. This investment aims to add 170,000 cubic metres of storage capacity to the complex, strengthening Togo's position as a regional energy and logistics hub.
The Lomé Petroleum Complex currently has an operational storage capacity of about 244,000 cubic metres. The planned expansion would represent a substantial increase in the facility's capacity, supporting Togo's role in regional trade. The development is particularly relevant to countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which rely on regional transport corridors to access fuel and other essential commodities.
Improved storage infrastructure in Lomé could support more efficient supply chains and provide additional capacity for the distribution of petroleum products into neighbouring countries. This investment comes as Togo continues to develop Lomé as an important gateway for the movement and distribution of goods and energy products across West Africa. The country's strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea allows it to position itself as a link between coastal markets and landlocked economies in the region.
The new financing is part of a broader package of BOAD-backed investments in Togo. The bank also approved financing for an agricultural development project aimed at expanding rice production and improving agricultural infrastructure. This highlights the wider development strategy behind the financing: strengthening productive sectors while improving infrastructure that supports trade and economic activity.
The combination of energy and agricultural investment reflects the importance of infrastructure to Togo's economic ambitions. Reliable storage, transport and production systems can help businesses operate more efficiently while improving the movement of essential goods. Lomé's strategic location allows Togo to capture greater value from regional trade.
Continued investment in energy storage and logistics infrastructure could help Togo deepen its role as a commercial gateway for West Africa. The latest BOAD financing represents more than an expansion of storage capacity; it is part of Togo's broader effort to strengthen infrastructure, improve regional connectivity and position Lomé as a competitive hub for trade and energy distribution.
As infrastructure investment continues, the effectiveness of these projects will depend on how successfully they translate into more reliable supply chains, stronger regional trade and wider economic opportunities. The development also reinforces the economic importance of Togo's logistics sector, with greater energy-storage capacity supporting port activity, transportation and associated services.
Key points
- Togo secures $64 million funding to expand petroleum storage capacity at Lomé Petroleum Complex.
- The expansion aims to add 170,000 cubic metres of storage capacity to the complex.
- The investment supports Togo's role as a regional energy and logistics hub.
