Kpomé, August 3, 2026 — Addressing the persistent challenge of youth employment in Togo, authorities are embracing a more practical strategy: transforming training participants into thriving rural entrepreneurs. In Kpomé, nestled within the Maritime region, fifty young individuals have just reached a significant milestone, receiving essential equipment to immediately launch their agricultural and livestock ventures.
This crucial equipment handover, which took place on July 20 under the guidance of Dotsè Medjina, Secretary General of the Maritime Region’s Governorate and representative of the Governor, signifies the successful completion of a rigorous three-month professional training program focused on high-potential agropastoral professions.
Training alone is insufficient: immediate equipment provision as a strategic choice
A common hurdle in youth integration programs often arises post-training. Many aspiring entrepreneurs gain valuable skills but lack the crucial capital required to kickstart their businesses.
In Kpomé, this conventional approach has been redefined. Following their comprehensive training, participants are now equipped with a complete startup package. This includes essential tools such as cultivators, motor pumps, sprayers, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, electronic scales, rolls of fencing, advanced irrigation and water storage systems, wheelbarrows, and various construction materials.
The core objective is to empower these new producers to commence their operations without delay, bypassing the often-lengthy process of securing additional funding.
Agropastoral sector: a key driver for rural job creation
The fifty beneficiaries have undergone specialized training across several sectors deemed vital for rural development in Togo. The comprehensive program covers market gardening, poultry farming, small ruminant husbandry, and pig production.
By providing these young individuals with tailored equipment, the public authorities aim not only to foster their financial independence but also to bolster local production and invigorate rural economies across the region.
Strategic investment focused on diligence and accountability
During the official ceremony, Dotsè Medjina underscored the significant responsibility that accompanies this vital endowment. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the provided equipment with diligence and precision, ensuring the profitability and sustainability of their burgeoning enterprises.
Furthermore, he called upon the young entrepreneurs to fully embrace their roles and emerge as proactive contributors to the economic advancement of their respective communities.
A national strategy for Togolese food sovereignty
This impactful initiative is an integral part of the overarching project titled “Vocational Training and Professional Integration Support,” which was inaugurated in 2025 by the National Agency for Employment (ANPE), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources, and Food Sovereignty.
Through this comprehensive program, Togo aims to move beyond purely theoretical training, fostering an employment policy that prioritizes the establishment of income-generating activities. The strategic focus on the agropastoral sector exemplifies this direction, with the clear ambition of nurturing a new generation of young producers who can transform their acquired skills into sustainable businesses, thereby making a lasting contribution to the nation’s food sovereignty.
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