AGP Executive Report

Lomé Coast: Togo has stepped up patrols from Kodjoviakopé toward the Lakes area to improve safety for beachgoers and residents, following the removal of unauthorized structures along the shore. Airport Services: Amid scrutiny of sanitation and maintenance at Lomé airport, Togo has handed management of its duty-free areas to Lagardère Travel Retail—a change travelers will be watching for signs of improved service. Entry Rules: African nationals with valid passports can visit Togo without a visa, but must still meet immigration requirements; check the latest conditions before travel. Tourism Development: Destination strategist Rick Taylor has joined the advisory board of African Collaborations Group, bringing experience that includes tourism and convention-bureau projects in Togo.

Coastal Safety: Lomé has increased patrols from Kodjoviakopé to the Lakes area to protect beachgoers, following the removal of unauthorized structures along the coast. Airport Update: After sanitation and operational failures at Lomé’s international airport, Togo has handed duty-free management to Lagardère Travel Retail, a move that has stirred debate over the airport’s future. Lake Togo Plans: Togoville is seeking investors to develop its waterfront, a proposal that could add new attractions for visitors. Entry Rules: African passport holders can visit Togo without a visa, but must still meet immigration requirements. Regional Culture: Benin’s Vodun Days drew an estimated 741,000 visitors this year, offering travelers a major cultural festival within easy reach of Togo.

Lomé Coast Safety: Togo has increased patrols along the capital’s coast, from Kodjoviakopé toward the Lakes area, to reassure beachgoers and residents after authorities cleared unauthorized shoreline structures. Airport Operations: After sanitation failures at Lomé’s international airport drew public criticism, Togo is handing duty-free management to Lagardère Travel Retail, renewing debate over how to improve services while retaining public control. Waterfront Investment: Togoville is seeking investors to develop Lake Togo’s waterfront, a potential boost for local tourism. Regional Travel: Benin’s Vodun Days drew an estimated 741,000 visitors to Ouidah, highlighting the appeal of cultural festivals in the region. Tourism Strategy: African tourism adviser Rick Taylor has joined the African Collaborations Group’s advisory board; his past work includes convention bureau projects in Togo and other African destinations.

Coastal Safety: Lomé has stepped up patrols from Kodjoviakopé to the Lakes area to protect beachgoers and residents following the removal of unauthorized structures along the shore. Tourism Strategy: African tourism strategist Rick Taylor has joined the advisory board of African Collaborations Group. His destination and convention-bureau work across the continent includes projects in Togo. Cross-Border Travel: Benin and Burkina Faso have signed a roaming deal to make calls and data more affordable for travelers; Benin already has a roaming agreement with Togo, though its implementation details remain important for visitors to check. Airport Experience: Lomé airport’s commercial operations are under scrutiny after reports of serious sanitation and maintenance problems. The government is moving to give Lagardère Travel Retail management of duty-free areas, amid debate over the airport’s future. Maritime Cooperation: Togo joined Ghana and Benin in the search that brought seven missing Ghanaian fishers safely home, highlighting regional coordination at sea.

Lomé Airport: Reports of sewage flooding the terminal have intensified scrutiny of the capital’s main gateway. Togo is turning to Lagardère Travel Retail to manage duty-free operations, while the wider debate over airport upgrades and private-sector involvement continues. Travel Safety: A US advisory warns against travel in parts of northern Togo near the borders, citing terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime; it does not advise against visiting the country as a whole. Lake Togo: Togoville is seeking investors to develop its waterfront, a potential boost for local tourism. Entry Rules: African nationals with valid passports can visit Togo without a visa, but must still meet immigration requirements. Regional Links: Togo joined Benin and international partners in rescuing seven Ghanaian fishers adrift at sea, highlighting cross-border maritime coordination.

Regional Connectivity: Benin and Burkina Faso signed a roaming deal on October 23 to lower mobile costs for cross-border travelers; Benin says its existing initiatives also include Togo. Togoville Tourism: Vo 2 is seeking investors to develop a Lake Togo waterfront site with restaurants, water sports and craft shops. Proposals are due December 11, and the municipality favors projects that create local jobs and protect the environment. Lomé Airport: Togo is handing duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail after a sanitation crisis drew attention to airport upkeep and service failures. Entry & Safety: African passport holders can enter Togo without a visa, but must still meet immigration requirements. The US also warns its citizens against travel to parts of northern Togo near the Benin and Burkina Faso borders.

Lake Togo: Togoville is seeking investors for a new waterfront site with plans for restaurants, water sports and craft shops. Proposals are due December 11, and the project aims to create local jobs while adding to attractions around the lake. Lomé Airport: After a sanitation scandal exposed major maintenance problems, Togo is handing duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail. The move could reshape the airport experience, though wider infrastructure concerns remain. Entry Rules: African nationals can visit Togo visa-free with a valid passport, but still need to meet immigration requirements. Border Safety: A US travel advisory flags northern border areas in Togo and Benin over terrorism, kidnapping and crime; the warning does not cover either country as a whole.

Regional Connectivity: A new Benin–Burkina Faso roaming deal aims to make calls and data cheaper for cross-border travelers. Togo already has a roaming agreement with Benin, part of wider efforts to ease mobile use across the region. Lomé Airport: Reports say Togo is handing airport duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail after sanitation and maintenance failures raised concerns about the capital’s gateway. Entry Rules: African nationals can visit Togo without a visa using a valid passport, but must still meet immigration requirements. Lake Togo Tourism: Togoville’s municipality is seeking investors to develop a waterfront site for restaurants, water sports, leisure facilities and craft shops; proposals are due December 11.

Airport Update: Lomé’s sewage and maintenance failures have raised fresh concerns for travelers. The government is handing duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail, amid debate over how to improve the airport. Entry Rules: Togo exempts African nationals with valid passports from visas, but travelers still need to meet immigration requirements. Lake Togo: Togoville is seeking investors for a waterfront site that could host restaurants, water sports and craft shops; proposals are due by December 11. Travel Safety: The United States has warned its citizens against visiting specific northern border areas in Togo and Benin because of security threats. Staying Connected: A new regional roaming agreement between Benin and Burkina Faso is part of a wider push to make cross-border mobile service easier; Benin says it already has a roaming arrangement with Togo.

Lomé in Focus: A new book surveying African street photography includes Delali Ayivi’s images of Lomé, offering a vivid glimpse of the city’s public life. Airport Update: Sanitation failures at Lomé’s international airport have prompted a handover of duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail, amid debate over how to improve the passenger experience and who should manage the gateway. Visa-Free Travel: Togo says African nationals with valid passports can visit without a visa, though travellers must still meet immigration requirements. Lake Togo Plans: Togoville is seeking investors to develop a waterfront site for restaurants, water sports and craft shops, with proposals due December 11. Travel Safety: The United States advises against travel to some northern border areas of Togo because of security risks. Coastal Resilience: Togo has accepted 26 coastal protection structures between Gbodjomé and Kpémé; remaining project work is expected to continue into 2027.

Entry Rules: African nationals with valid passports can visit Togo visa-free, but must still meet immigration requirements; check the latest conditions before travelling. Lomé Airport: Togo has handed duty-free operations to Lagardère Travel Retail amid renewed scrutiny of sanitation and airport services—a key test for the capital’s ambitions as a regional travel hub. Lake Togo: Togoville is seeking investors for a waterfront site that could host restaurants, water sports and craft shops; proposals are due December 11. Festivals: Anloga’s Hogbetsotso Za on November 7 will welcome the Gonja Kingdom’s Yagbonwura as guest of honour, adding a major cultural draw for visitors. Coastal Travel: Togo has completed 26 shoreline protection structures between Gbodjomé and Kpémé, part of a wider project to limit erosion and protect coastal communities. Safety: US travel advice warns of serious risks in Togo’s northern border areas; visitors should check current advisories and plan routes carefully.

Lomé Airport: Following a high-profile sanitation failure and years of operational problems, Togo is handing duty-free management at Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport to Lagardère Travel Retail. The move aims to improve operations but has sparked debate over privatization and national control. Lake Togo Tourism: Togoville is inviting investors to develop a 2,428-square-metre waterfront site for restaurants, water sports and craft shops, complementing canoe trips and nearby attractions. Proposals are due December 11. Coastal Protection: Togo has accepted 26 shoreline defenses between Gbodjomé and Kpémé, part of a wider project to limit erosion; remaining work is scheduled to continue through June 2027. Travel Safety: A revised US advisory warns against travel to parts of Togo’s northern border areas because of terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime, while stopping short of advising against visits to the country as a whole.

Travel Safety: The US has warned its citizens against travel to parts of Togo’s northern border areas, citing terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime; the advisory does not cover the country as a whole. Lake Togo Tourism: Togoville’s municipality is seeking investors to develop a 2,428-square-metre waterfront site for restaurants, water sports and craft shops, with proposals due December 11. Coastal Protection: Togo has accepted 26 shoreline defenses between Gbodjomé and Kpémé, part of a wider project scheduled to finish in 2027. Cultural Tourism: Anloga’s November 7 Hogbetsotso festival, which celebrates Anlo heritage and draws on migration history linked to present-day Togo, will welcome Gonja Kingdom leader Yagbonwura Bii-Kunuto Jewu Soale I as guest of honour.

Travel Safety: The US has warned citizens against travel to Togo’s northern border areas, citing terrorism, kidnapping and violent crime; the advisory does not discourage visits to the country as a whole. Lake Togo Tourism: Vo 2 municipality is seeking investors to develop a 2,428-square-metre waterfront site in Togoville, with plans potentially including restaurants, water sports and craft shops. Proposals are due December 11. Coastal Protection: Togo has accepted 26 shoreline defenses between Gbodjomé and Kpémé. The wider project is 70% complete and scheduled to wrap up in June 2027. Cultural Calendar: Anloga’s Hogbetsotso Za festival on November 7 will welcome Gonja Kingdom leader Yagbonwura as guest of honour. The celebration of Anlo heritage also highlights the people’s migration from present-day Togo.

Lake Togo Tourism: Togoville’s municipality is seeking investors to develop a 2,428-square-metre waterfront site for restaurants, water sports, recreation and handicraft shops. Proposals are due December 11, with priority for projects that create local jobs and promote local products. Coastal Protection: Togo has accepted 26 shoreline structures between Gbodjomé and Kpémé, part of a wider project to curb erosion and replenish beaches. Remaining work is expected to continue through June 2027. Culture & Travel: Anloga’s Hogbetsotso Za festival on November 7 will welcome the Gonja Kingdom’s leader as guest of honour. Organisers say activities will draw visitors and support local businesses, offering a cultural stop for travellers exploring the Togo-Ghana coast. Entry: Togo is among the destinations Nigerian passport holders can visit visa-free, according to a recent passport ranking.

Coastal Protection: Togo has accepted 26 shoreline defenses between Gbodjomé and Kpémé, part of a CFAF 33.48 billion project to slow erosion and replenish beaches. Remaining work is due by June 2027. Festival Travel: Anloga’s Hogbetsotso celebration on November 7 will welcome Gonja’s Yagbonwura as guest of honour. Organizers say the festival will showcase Anlo heritage and support local businesses. Regional Routes: A new road-trip feature follows the journey from Accra to Lomé, capturing the people and places along this well-travelled corridor. Visa Access: Congo-Brazzaville plans visa-free entry for citizens of all African countries from January 1, 2027; permitted stays and entry conditions are still to be confirmed.