Togo’s prime minister advocates for stronger Africa-Europe economic ties at Rome summit

The capital of Italy, Rome, is hosting a high-profile economic summit from June 17 to 19, 2026, where Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Prime Minister of Togo, is championing a revitalized economic partnership between Africa and Europe. As a distinguished guest at the FII PRIORITY Europe 2026 forum, which focuses on enhancing European competitiveness, he underscored Togo’s strategic role as a regional logistics hub poised to reshape global value chains.

Prime Minister Gnassingbé addresses Europe’s leading investors in Rome

Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Prime Minister of Togo, engaged with top European investors and policymakers at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri on June 17, 2026. His participation was facilitated by Yasir ben Othman Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the FII Institute, the organizing body behind the summit.

Summit explores Europe’s economic reinvention amid AI-driven transformations

The forum, themed “Europe Reimagined: Capital, Sovereignty, and Strategic Autonomy”, delved into critical discussions on financing reindustrialization, securing supply chains, and adapting labor markets to an AI-powered economy. Organizers highlighted projections indicating a 1.2% growth rate for the eurozone in 2026, with the potential to unlock nearly €800 billion in private investments over the next decade.

Togo positions itself as Africa’s gateway for European investors

During his address, the Togolese Prime Minister emphasized the untapped potential of Africa-Europe economic collaboration. With some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, Africa is emerging as a prime destination for investment flows, infrastructure development, and deeper regional integration. Togo, he noted, is leveraging its strategic location to position itself at the heart of this transformation.

The country is actively promoting its flagship initiatives, including the performance of the Port of Lomé, the expansion of integrated industrial zones, and business-friendly reforms aimed at attracting foreign direct investments (FDI). These efforts align with a broader goal to strengthen trade corridors linking Togo to landlocked West African nations, fostering shared economic growth.

« As the natural gateway to West Africa’s hinterland, we are committed to fostering inclusive growth and seamless connectivity, » stated Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Prime Minister of Togo.

Lomé’s push for regional connectivity gains momentum

This diplomatic mission to Rome follows closely on the heels of another major event in Lomé, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the first African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition just three days prior. These coordinated efforts reflect Togo’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing connectivity—through ports, aviation, and digital networks—as a cornerstone of its national development strategy.