Togo’s vision 2040: empowering the private sector for economic transformation

LOMÉ, July 31, 2026 — Togo is firmly setting its sights on empowering investors and businesses, placing them at the core of its long-term national aspirations. In Lomé, government officials convened the country’s leading economic figures on Thursday, July 30, to address a pivotal question: how can the private sector become a fundamental pillar in the economic transformation anticipated in the coming years?

The crucial workshop, dedicated to Vision Togo 2040 and the Government Roadmap 2026-2031, saw active participation from representatives of the World Bank Group, the Employers’ Federation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, major Togolese enterprises, and international experts. Sandra Ablamba Johnson, Minister and Secretary General of the Presidency of the Council, officially opened the gathering on behalf of the President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

A changing scale of ambition

Beyond the technical discussions lies a far-reaching ambition. Togolese authorities envision, by 2040, doubling the average living standards for its citizens and significantly reducing the poverty rate to under 15%. To achieve these ambitious targets, the government intends to increasingly rely on the private sector’s capacity for investment and job creation.

The assessment is straightforward: the state alone cannot shoulder the entire burden of such a massive economic transformation. Therefore, it is imperative to attract more capital, foster the growth of national enterprises, and cultivate an environment highly conducive to investment.

From observation to concrete actions

It was precisely in this domain that the workshop aimed to provide answers. Participants were tasked with examining the essential conditions needed to evolve the private sector from a mere economic player into a full-fledged partner in public action. This deliberation directly addresses investment conditions, enterprise growth, capital mobilization, and the initiation of new productive activities.

However, the ambition extends beyond merely formulating objectives. Authorities now seek an operational action framework capable of translating the directives of Vision Togo 2040 into tangible initiatives. The presence of the World Bank and international experts lends a particular significance to these discussions, allowing for national strategies to be benchmarked against experiences and best practices observed in other economies.

The private sector urged to play its part

The unequivocal message delivered during this significant meeting is clear: the upcoming phase of Togolese development must increasingly rely on private enterprise and investment. Ultimately, the Lomé gathering signifies a crucial step in the pursuit of a new growth model, aiming for an economy by 2040 capable of substantially improving the living conditions of the population.

For the Togolese authorities, the present challenge lies in transforming this grand ambition into actionable decisions, and subsequently, these decisions into measurable results. Only under these conditions can the objectives set for the coming years transcend mere projections and become a tangible economic and social reality.