Togo has launched a new initiative to support 115 cooperatives in the artisanal and agri-food sectors, aiming to strengthen governance, improve economic performance, and foster inclusive growth, officials said Monday.
The program, run by the country’s Maison des Coopératives with technical and financial backing from the German development agency GIZ, is part of the ProEmploi+ project, which seeks to promote employment among women and vulnerable groups. A call for expressions of interest has been issued, with applications open until April 5, 2026.
Selected cooperatives, particularly women-led organizations or those including people with disabilities, will receive support to enhance governance, administrative and financial management, and overall operational efficiency. The program will provide organizational assessments, targeted training sessions, and field support to help cooperatives better organize their operations and increase sustainable income generation.
“Togo’s cooperative sector remains a key driver of economic inclusion, especially for women and marginalized populations, but structural challenges limit its full potential,” said an official from the Maison des Coopératives. “This initiative aims to strengthen the foundations of these groups, improve resilience, and position them as engines of sustainable development.”
Despite their crucial role in local economies, many Togolese cooperatives face persistent challenges, including weak internal governance, limited access to financing, and gaps in managerial and technical capacity. By providing tailored support, the initiative seeks to address these constraints and improve long-term performance.
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The program aligns with the United Nations-declared International Year of Cooperatives 2025 and is intended to strengthen organizational, technical, and entrepreneurial capacities of participants over time. Organizers say these measures are vital to enable cooperatives to contribute meaningfully to inclusive and sustainable growth in Togo.
ProEmploi+ is part of a broader effort by the Togolese government and its development partners to promote job creation and economic empowerment, particularly among women, youth, and vulnerable communities. The program complements other government initiatives that target financial inclusion, skills development, and market access for small-scale producers.
Cooperatives in Togo play an outsized role in local economies, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where formal employment opportunities remain limited. Many women-led cooperatives are active in agriculture, food processing, handicrafts, and other artisanal sectors. Strengthening their capacity is expected to boost productivity, improve incomes, and expand opportunities for community members.
By combining governance reforms, capacity building, and practical support, the initiative seeks to foster more resilient and professionally managed cooperatives. Organizers also hope that the program will encourage broader adoption of best practices in governance, transparency, and financial management across the cooperative sector.
The initiative marks one of the largest coordinated efforts to date in Togo to improve cooperative performance and inclusiveness. Authorities said the program will be closely monitored to ensure that benefits reach the intended groups and that lessons learned can inform future initiatives aimed at supporting economic empowerment and social inclusion.
With this program, Togo hopes to leverage its cooperative sector as a catalyst for economic development, inclusive growth, and social empowerment, particularly for women and vulnerable communities in the country’s artisanal and agri-food industries.
