Infrastructure developers in Togo are eligible to apply for European Union grants of up to €2 million under a Global Gateway funding mechanism aimed at turning early-stage project ideas into bankable investments, EU officials said on Thursday.
The funding is available through the Global Gateway Early-Stage Investment Mechanism, a programme designed to support infrastructure projects that are still in the planning phase across EU partner countries, including Togo. The initiative forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which seeks to mobilise sustainable, long-term investment in emerging economies.
Under the scheme, successful applicants can receive non-repayable grants ranging from €500,000 to €2 million, with the EU covering up to 90 percent of total project costs. Funded projects may run for between 12 and 36 months.
Priority sectors include transport infrastructure, energy, artificial intelligence and urban development, areas the EU has identified as critical to economic growth, digital transformation and climate resilience.
According to programme documents, the mechanism is intended to address one of the main barriers to infrastructure investment in developing economies: the lack of financing for early-stage project preparation. Funding can be used to cover feasibility studies, technical assessments, pilot initiatives and other preparatory work needed to attract larger public or private investment at a later stage.
EU officials say many potentially viable projects fail to progress because developers struggle to finance these initial phases, particularly in high-risk or capital-intensive sectors.
Broad eligibility
The programme is open to EU-based companies, including startups, small and medium-sized enterprises, and large corporations. Consortia involving multiple partners are also eligible, as are public-sector bodies, universities and research institutes, particularly for projects related to artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
While applicants must be based in the European Union, partnerships with Togolese public authorities and local stakeholders are encouraged, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on collaboration and local ownership.
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The EU says the mechanism aims to support projects that align with national development priorities and contribute to sustainable economic growth, job creation and improved access to essential services.
Global Gateway strategy
The Global Gateway initiative, launched by the EU in 2021, is intended to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investment by 2027. It focuses on infrastructure development in areas such as energy, transport, digital connectivity, health and education, while promoting environmental sustainability and high governance standards.
In West Africa, the EU has stepped up engagement through Global Gateway to support renewable energy projects, transport corridors and digital infrastructure, as the region seeks to close significant investment and infrastructure gaps.
Togo has positioned itself as a logistics and trade hub in the region, investing in port infrastructure, transport networks and digital services. However, access to long-term financing and project preparation support remains a challenge, particularly for complex infrastructure developments.
EU officials say the early-stage mechanism is designed to complement other financing tools by ensuring that projects are technically sound and investment-ready before seeking larger-scale funding from development banks or private investors.
Application timeline
Applications for the current funding round are open until March 16, 2026. Selected projects will be expected to demonstrate strong development impact, financial viability and alignment with both EU policy objectives and partner-country priorities.
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The EU says demand for the grants is expected to be high, reflecting growing interest from European companies and institutions in infrastructure investment across Africa.
If successful, projects supported under the mechanism could later progress to financing from European development finance institutions or private investors, helping to translate early-stage concepts into operational infrastructure on the ground.
For Togolese developers and public authorities, the programme offers a potential pathway to advance priority projects while reducing upfront financial risk, at a time when competition for development financing remains intense.
