Togo’s mobile phone penetration rate has surpassed 100 percent for the first time, underscoring the continued expansion of the country’s telecommunications sector, driven by mobile services, data usage and digital financial services.
Mobile subscriptions reached 8.69 million by the end of September 2025, lifting the penetration rate to 100.31 percent, based on an estimated population of 8.67 million, according to third-quarter data published by the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP).
Penetration above 100% reflects the number of active SIM cards rather than individual users, as many subscribers hold multiple lines. The mobile subscriber base grew 17 percent year on year, pointing to sustained demand despite signs that the market is entering a more mature phase.
Mobile services continue to dominate the sector, while fixed-line telephony remains marginal. Fixed-line subscriptions stood at 84,050, with a penetration rate of less than 1 percent, highlighting the country’s strong reliance on mobile connectivity.
Data usage expands, 4G gains ground
Mobile internet usage continued to rise alongside voice services. High-speed 3G and 4G data subscriptions reached 4.93 million, up 5 percent quarter on quarter, reflecting growing demand for faster connectivity and data-intensive services.
At the same time, 2G subscriptions declined by 6 percent in the third quarter, signalling a gradual shift away from legacy technologies as users migrate to higher-speed networks.
Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) subscriptions also increased, although growth slowed in 2025 compared with the previous year. FTTH subscriptions rose 0.5 percent from the second quarter and 12.5 percent year on year, with penetration reaching 1.53 percent of the population at the end of September 2025. Despite the gains, fibre remains a niche service, largely concentrated in urban areas.
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Network usage continued to intensify. Mobile data traffic rose 16% quarter on quarter, while outgoing mobile voice traffic increased 8 percent, reflecting higher usage per subscriber.
Revenue growth, investment pressure
Total revenue for the telecommunications sector reached 65.88 billion CFA francs in the third quarter of 2025, according to ARCEP. The mobile segment accounted for the bulk of earnings, generating 56 billion CFA francs over the period.
Despite revenue growth, sector investment declined sharply on a year-on-year basis, raising concerns about the pace of network expansion and quality of service. ARCEP noted, however, that mobile operators recorded a quarterly rebound in capital expenditure during the third quarter.
Mobile money accelerates, gaps persist
Mobile money services continued to gain traction, reinforcing their role as a key driver of financial services in Togo. The number of mobile money subscribers rose 21 percent year on year and 9 percent quarter on quarter in 2025. The value of transactions increased 33 percent from a year earlier, reflecting deeper adoption of digital payments.
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However, regulators cautioned that the headline growth masks structural challenges. These include widespread multiple-account ownership, a concentration of transaction volumes among a relatively small share of active users, and persistent disparities between urban and rural areas.
While Togo ranks among the stronger performers in mobile money within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), these factors continue to limit broader financial inclusion.
ARCEP said the data underline both the progress and the constraints facing the sector, as policymakers balance the need for continued investment with efforts to expand access, improve service quality and support the country’s digital economy ambitions.
