Togo has launched a nationwide selection process to recruit 50 small and medium sized enterprises to drive a major agricultural value chain programme backed by the African Development Bank, marking a decisive step in its push to industrialise agriculture and create jobs.
The initiative forms part of the Project to Support Young Entrepreneurs, known as PAJEC, a five year programme launched in 2025 with a budget of 28 billion CFA francs. It is jointly financed by the Togolese government and the African Development Bank and implemented through the Agency for the Development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
At its core, the programme is designed to transform agriculture from a largely subsistence activity into a structured, market driven system anchored by private sector players. Selected companies will act as lead firms within agro industrial clusters, taking responsibility for organising supply chains, processing agricultural output and connecting producers to markets.
The targeted sectors reflect Togo’s agricultural priorities and export potential. They include staple crops such as maize, cassava and rice, alongside high value commodities like pineapple, sesame and cashew. Livestock and fisheries are also part of the programme, broadening its scope beyond crop production.
Agriculture remains central to Togo’s economy, employing a large share of the population and contributing significantly to national output. However, the sector has historically faced structural challenges, including low productivity, limited processing capacity and weak market linkages.
The new programme seeks to address these constraints by placing SMEs at the centre of value chain development. Companies selected under the scheme will be required to establish formal relationships with farmers, cooperatives and young entrepreneurs, ensuring stable supply while also supporting training and capacity building.
This model aligns with broader strategies supported by the African Development Bank, which emphasise agro industrial development and private sector participation as key drivers of economic transformation. Previous AfDB backed initiatives in Togo have focused on creating agro processing zones and strengthening infrastructure to attract investment into agriculture.
Under PAJEC, participating SMEs will receive both financial and technical support. This includes access to funding, upgrades to production equipment and assistance in developing new markets. The goal is not just to increase output but to add value locally, reducing dependence on raw exports and improving income levels across the agricultural sector.
A notable feature of the programme is its focus on inclusion. Women led businesses are being actively encouraged to participate, with more flexible eligibility criteria designed to lower entry barriers. This reflects a wider recognition of the role women play in agriculture and the need to expand their access to financing and business opportunities.
Eligibility requirements for the programme remain strict enough to ensure viability. Applicants must demonstrate formal registration, operational experience and financial stability, as well as an ability to supply or process agricultural products at scale.
The timing of the initiative is significant. Across Africa, governments are increasingly prioritising agricultural value chains as a pathway to economic resilience, particularly in the face of rising food import bills and global supply disruptions. In Togo’s case, strengthening domestic production and processing capacity is seen as critical to improving food security and reducing external vulnerability.
The programme also reflects a shift in development thinking. Rather than relying solely on public sector interventions, there is growing emphasis on building ecosystems where private enterprises drive growth, supported by targeted public investment and policy frameworks.
If successfully implemented, the PAJEC initiative could have far reaching implications. By linking production, processing and markets, it has the potential to create sustainable jobs, increase rural incomes and stimulate broader industrial development.
However, execution will be key. Ensuring that selected SMEs have the capacity to deliver, maintaining effective coordination across value chains and providing consistent financing will determine whether the programme achieves its intended impact.
For now, the launch of the SME selection process signals that Togo is moving from policy ambition to practical implementation, betting on agribusiness as a cornerstone of its economic future.
