Togo and France have held talks on security in the Sahel and regional mediation efforts, as both sides seek to strengthen cooperation amid shifting geopolitical dynamics in West Africa.
President Faure Gnassingbé received French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot in Lomé during a two-day visit that also focused on economic ties and development cooperation.
According to the Togolese presidency, discussions covered investment opportunities, ongoing projects supported by the Agence française de développement (AFD), and prospects for expanding collaboration in productive sectors.
Barrot said the meeting highlighted the “diversity, depth and long history” of bilateral relations, adding that both countries were seeking to build new momentum in their partnership.
Beyond economic cooperation, the talks focused heavily on regional security challenges, particularly in the Sahel, where instability and armed groups continue to pose significant threats.
Barrot said Togo is playing an increasingly important role in mediation efforts, both in the Sahel and in the Great Lakes region, positioning itself as a key diplomatic actor in Africa.
“Togo … is playing a key mediation role in the Great Lakes region, as well as addressing the situation in the Sahel, which remains a major concern,” he said.
Togo has in recent years adopted a strategy of maintaining dialogue with multiple partners, including Sahelian states, while avoiding alignment with any single geopolitical bloc.
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Analysts say this approach has allowed Lomé to strengthen its diplomatic relevance while safeguarding economic interests.
The discussions also touched on broader international issues, including tensions in the Middle East and their global economic and security implications.
Officials said both sides explored ways to deepen cooperation on mediation initiatives and security coordination in Africa.
Togo’s regional diplomacy is closely tied to its economic strategy, particularly its role as a logistics hub for landlocked Sahel countries.
Trade corridors linking Sahelian economies to the coast account for a significant share of activity at the Port of Lomé, underscoring the economic stakes behind stability in the subregion.
Strengthening ties with France is seen as part of Togo’s broader effort to diversify partnerships and maintain its attractiveness to international investors.
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France, for its part, has been seeking to recalibrate its relationships in Africa as traditional alliances evolve and new actors gain influence.
Barrot’s visit comes ahead of the Africa Forward Summit scheduled for May in Nairobi, where Togo is expected to play a prominent role, particularly on issues related to innovation and economic growth.
“This visit also looks ahead to the Africa Forward summit, an international gathering where Togo will play an important role,” Barrot said.
During his stay, the French minister is also expected to tour economic and social projects implemented במסגרת Franco-Togolese cooperation, highlighting ongoing development initiatives supported by Paris.
While no major agreements were announced, officials said the visit reflects a shared ambition to deepen cooperation across security, diplomacy and economic development.
As instability persists in parts of West Africa, both countries signalled their intention to work more closely on mediation efforts, while reinforcing economic ties seen as critical to long-term regional stability.
