The government of Togo plans to mobilise US$126.6 million in 2026 to advance its energy policy as it steps up efforts to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030, authorities said.
The funding envelope, equivalent to about CFA70 billion, will be allocated to the Ministry Delegate in charge of Energy and Mines and represents roughly 99 percent of the ministry’s total budget of CFA71 billion for the year, according to official budget documents.
Authorities said the allocation will be used to finance ongoing structural projects aimed at expanding electricity access, strengthening power infrastructure and improving governance in the sector.
A key priority for 2026 will be the electrification of 317 localities across the country, part of a broader push to close the gap between urban and rural electricity access. While coverage in cities is relatively high, rural communities continue to lag behind, prompting the government to accelerate grid extension and decentralised solutions.
The budget will also support the expansion of the Tinga Fund, a social financing mechanism designed to help vulnerable households gain access to electricity by spreading connection costs over time. Officials say the programme has played a significant role in boosting household connections, particularly among low-income families.
Part of the funding will be channelled into the extension of the Blitta solar photovoltaic power plant, one of the largest solar facilities in West Africa. The project is central to Togo’s strategy to increase domestic generation capacity, reduce reliance on electricity imports and promote renewable energy as demand continues to rise.
In parallel, the government plans to launch organisational and governance reforms at the national electricity utility, Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET). The utility has long faced financial and operational challenges, including ageing infrastructure, technical losses and liquidity constraints, which have weighed on service reliability.
Authorities say reforms at CEET will focus on improving management efficiency, strengthening financial discipline and enhancing the quality of electricity supply, as part of efforts to build a more sustainable power sector.
From 2026, Togo will also begin implementing its National Energy Pact under the Mission 300 framework, a continental programme aimed at accelerating electricity access in Africa. The initiative includes the construction of 161-kilovolt transmission lines to reinforce the national grid and extend supply to new areas.
Officials estimate that the planned transmission projects could benefit up to 1.5 million people by improving network stability and enabling new connections.
Togo’s electricity demand has been rising steadily, driven by population growth, urbanisation and expanding economic activity. At the same time, the country faces persistent budget constraints and the challenge of modernising networks that remain fragile and insufficiently extended in many regions.
Despite these constraints, authorities say recent investments and policy measures have delivered tangible gains. Electricity coverage reached about 75 percent at the end of 2025, up from significantly lower levels a decade ago, according to government data.
The government has made universal electricity access by 2030 a central pillar of its development strategy, viewing reliable and affordable power as essential for industrial growth, job creation and improved public services.
Officials say sustained public investment, combined with reforms and support from development partners and the private sector, will be critical to meeting the 2030 target. However, they acknowledge that continued pressure on public finances and the need to balance affordability with cost recovery remain key challenges for the sector.
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For now, the 2026 budget allocation signals a renewed push by the government to maintain momentum and translate policy ambitions into concrete gains in electricity access across the country.
Togo has made electricity access a central pillar of its development strategy, as reliable power remains critical to industrial growth, social services and poverty reduction. Over the past decade, the government has accelerated reforms and investments aimed at expanding generation capacity, strengthening transmission networks and extending electricity to rural and peri-urban areas.
Electricity access in Togo has improved steadily but unevenly. While coverage in urban centres is relatively high, rural electrification has lagged, prompting authorities to prioritise off-grid and mini-grid solutions alongside grid expansion. By the end of 2025, national electricity access had reached about 75%, up from less than 50% a decade earlier.
The government’s energy policy targets universal electricity access by 2030, in line with regional and global development goals. This ambition has driven large-scale public investment despite tight fiscal space, as well as efforts to mobilise donor funding and private sector participation.
A key institution in the sector is the national utility, Compagnie Énergie Électrique du Togo (CEET), which is responsible for power distribution and part of transmission. CEET has faced long-standing challenges including financial deficits, ageing infrastructure and technical losses, leading the government to pursue governance and operational reforms to improve performance and service delivery.
Togo’s energy mix relies heavily on electricity imports from neighbouring countries, complemented by domestic thermal and renewable generation. To reduce dependence on imports and improve energy security, authorities have invested in solar power, including the Blitta solar photovoltaic plant, one of the largest solar facilities in West Africa. The planned extension of the plant reflects a broader push to scale up renewable energy capacity.
Social inclusion has also been a focus of energy policy. The Tinga Fund was established to help low-income households connect to the electricity grid by spreading connection costs over time, contributing to faster uptake in underserved communities.
In 2026, Togo plans to begin implementing its National Energy Pact under the Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to accelerate access to electricity across Africa. The programme emphasises grid reinforcement, transmission line construction and institutional reforms to support sustainable expansion.
Despite recent gains, the sector continues to face challenges from rising demand driven by population growth and urbanisation, limited public finances and fragile network infrastructure. The government says sustained investment and reforms will be essential if Togo is to meet its 2030 universal access target.
