Togo and Turkey took center stage last weekend as the Lomé Diplomatic Club opened its 2026 agenda with a session focused on strengthening economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries. The event, organized by Togo’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration, brought together diplomats, government officials, and business leaders to discuss opportunities for trade, investment, and cooperation.
Speaking at the forum, Turkey’s ambassador to Togo, Muteber Kılıç, highlighted the rapid growth in Ankara’s economic ties with Africa over the past two decades. Trade between Turkey and the continent rose from $5.4 billion in 2003 to $40.7 billion in 2025, with Turkish authorities targeting $50 billion in the coming years.
At the bilateral level, economic exchanges between Lomé and Ankara have accelerated. Trade between Togo and Turkey increased from $128 million in 2021 to nearly $270 million in 2025, according to figures presented at the meeting, reflecting growing mutual interest in commercial and investment opportunities.
A delegation of Turkish business representatives from the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) is expected to visit Lomé in May to strengthen partnerships between companies from both countries. The mission will explore investment opportunities in infrastructure, agriculture, tourism, and technology. Organizers said the visit will build on previous business missions and forums, including contacts established at the World Cooperation Industry Forum in Istanbul.
Beyond trade, discussions addressed logistics and connectivity. The two countries are considering the establishment of a direct maritime link between the Autonomous Port of Lomé and the Turkish port of Mersin. Officials said such a connection could reduce transit times, improve efficiency, and provide better access to West African hinterland markets.
Academic cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions. Authorities from Lomé and Ankara are exploring ways to increase scholarships for Togolese students in technical and scientific fields, while expanding faculty exchange programs to foster knowledge transfer and strengthen educational partnerships.
Officials emphasized that Turkey’s growing engagement with Africa, and with Togo in particular, reflects a broader strategic push to diversify economic partnerships and strengthen South–South cooperation. Analysts noted that stronger ties with Turkey could help Togo attract investment, improve trade infrastructure, and enhance human capital development.
The session marked the first major diplomatic and economic engagement in Lomé for 2026, reinforcing Togo’s commitment to expanding its international partnerships and fostering private sector-led growth. Officials said the meeting also provided a platform for identifying concrete projects and follow-up actions, ensuring that dialogue translates into measurable economic outcomes.
With trade and investment on the rise, both countries are seeking to leverage their complementarities to boost economic growth, enhance market access, and promote technical and educational collaboration. Observers say the growing Togo-Turkey partnership illustrates the increasing importance of Africa–Turkey relations in the wider global economic landscape.
The upcoming Turkish business delegation and planned maritime and academic initiatives are expected to solidify ties further, enhancing trade, investment, and knowledge exchange between the two nations.
Overall, the Lomé Diplomatic Club’s session highlighted the multi-faceted nature of Togo-Turkey cooperation, spanning trade, infrastructure, education, and logistics, while underlining the shared commitment to building a long-term strategic partnership.
