Togo
Togolese RepublicRepublique Togolaise
republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
Togo as the 2015 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 164 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Introduction
1 fieldBackground
French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature.
Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. After years of political unrest and condemnation from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community.
Geography
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
20 fieldsTerrain
- gently rolling savanna in north;
- central hills;
- southern plateau;
- low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
Land use
- agricultural land:
- 67.4%;
- arable land 45.2%;
- permanent crops 3.8%;
- permanent pasture 18.4%
- forest:
- 4.9%
- other:
- 27.7% (2011 est.)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 0.17 cu km/yr (63%/3%/34%)
- per capita:
- 33.46 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards
hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues
- deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel;
- water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry;
- air pollution increasing in urban areas
Environment - international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
- signed, but not ratified:
- none of the selected agreements
Geography - note
the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna
People and Society
35 fieldsAge structuremale left, female right · (2015 est.)
Note
Per 1,000 population(2015 est.)
Male · female(2015 est.)
Ethnic groups
African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
Languages
French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
Sex ratio
- at birth:
- 1.03 male(s)/female
- 0-14 years:
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years:
- 1 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years:
- 0.99 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years:
- 0.89 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over:
- 0.76 male(s)/female
- total population:
- 0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Major infectious diseases
- degree of risk:
- very high
- food or waterborne diseases:
- bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
- vectorborne diseases:
- malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
- respiratory disease:
- meningococcal meningitis
- water contact disease:
- schistosomiasis
- animal contact disease:
- rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Government
Republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule; President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); Prime Minister Komi KLASSOU (since 5 June 2015)
22 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale, 91 seats, elected 25 July 2013one dot, one seat
Percent of vote
Country name
- conventional long form:
- Togolese Republic
- conventional short form:
- Togo
- local long form:
- Republique Togolaise
- local short form:
- none
- former:
- French Togoland
Capital
- name:
- Lome
- geographic coordinates:
- 6 07 N, 1 13 E
- time difference:
- UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes
Constitution
- several previous;
- latest adopted 27 September 1992, effective 14 October 1992;
- amended 2002, 2007 (2015)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
- citizenship by birth:
- no
- citizenship by descent only:
- at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo
- dual citizenship recognized:
- yes
- residency requirement for naturalization:
- 5 years
Executive branch
- chief of state:
- President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005)
- head of government:
- Prime Minister Komi KLASSOU (since 5 June 2015)
- cabinet:
- Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
- elections/appointments:
- president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits);
- election last held on 25 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020);
- prime minister appointed by the president
- election results:
- Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 58.8%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 35.2%, Tchaboure GOGUE 3.1%, other 3.8%
Legislative branch
- description:
- unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (91 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
- elections:
- last held on 25 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
- election results:
- percent of vote by party - UNIR 46.7%, CST 28.9%, Rainbow Alliance 10.8%, UFC 7.7%, independent 0.8%, other 5.1%;
- seats by party - UNIR 62, CST 19, Rainbow Alliance 6, UFC 3, independent 1
Judicial branch
- highest court(s):
- Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into the Criminal Chamber and the Administrative Chamber, each with a chamber president and advisors);
- Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges including the court president)
- judge selection and term of office:
- Supreme Court president appointed by decree of the president of the republic upon the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a 9-member judicial, advisory, and disciplinary body;
- other judge appointments and judge tenure NA;
- Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly;
- judge tenure NA
- subordinate courts:
- Court of Assizes (sessions court);
- appeals courts;
- tribunals of first instance (divided into civil, commercial, and correctional chambers; Court of State Security; military tribunal
Political parties and leaders
Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Dodji APEVON]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]; National Alliance for Change or ANC [Jean-Pierre FABRE]; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO]; Rainbow Alliance (a coalition including CAR and CDPA) [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]; Save Togo Collective or CST (a coalition including: ANC and PSR) [Ata Messan Zeus AJAVON; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR [Abi TCHESSA]; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Limbiye Edawa Kadangha BARIKI (since 14 July 2009)
- chancery:
- 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- telephone:
- [1] (202) 234-4212
- FAX:
- [1] (202) 232-3190
Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission:
- Ambassador Robert E. WHITEHEAD (since 7 May 2012)
- embassy:
- 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome
- mailing address:
- B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300
- telephone:
- [228] 2261-5470
- FAX:
- [228] 2261-5501
Flag description
- five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow;
- a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner;
- the five horizontal stripes stand for the five different regions of the country;
- the red square is meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people;
- green symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture;
- yellow represents mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity;
- the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and Togo's independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National anthem
- name:
- "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)
- lyrics/music:
- Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH
note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992
Economy
This small, sub-Saharan economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for a significant share of the labor force.
38 fieldsGDP - composition, by sector of origin(2014 est.)
Trading partnersexports left, imports right
By end use% of GDP
Economy - overview
This small, sub-Saharan economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for a significant share of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop.
Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves. The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly.
Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed over recent years. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms.
Gross national saving
10.7% of GDP (2014 est.) · 10.5% of GDP (2013 est.) · 16.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Agriculture - products
- coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum;
- livestock;
- fish
Central bank discount rate
2.5% (31 December 2010) · 4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 112
Stock of narrow money
$1.036 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $1.084 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 151
Stock of broad money
$2.061 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $2.035 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 153
Stock of domestic credit
$1.642 billion (31 December 2014 est.) · $1.621 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 144
Current account balance
-$591 million (2014 est.) · -$567 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$494.3 million (31 December 2015 est.) · $507 million (31 December 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Debt - external
$984.4 million (31 December 2014 est.) · $903.3 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Exchange rates
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 494.42 (2014 est.) · 494.42 (2013 est.) · 510.53 (2012 est.) · 471.87 (2011 est.) · 495.28 (2010 est.)
Energy
23 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 83,000 kW(2012 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
1.63 million Mt (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Communications
8 fieldsPer 100 inhabitants(2014 est.)
Telephone system
- general assessment:
- fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system
- domestic:
- microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system;
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 50 telephones per 100 persons with mobile-cellular use predominating
- international:
- country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie (2010)
Broadcast media
- 2 state-owned TV stations with multiple transmission sites;
- 5 private TV stations broadcast locally;
- cable TV service is available;
- state-owned radio network with multiple stations;
- several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations;
- transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2007)
Transportation
8 fieldsMerchant marine, 61 ships by typeone square, one ship
Airports by runway lengthpaved only
Networkskm
Waterways
50 km (seasonally navigable by small craft on the Mono River depending on rainfall) (2011) country comparison to the world: 102
Military
6 fieldsMilitary branches
Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre), Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, TAF), National Gendarmerie (2013)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2012)
Manpower available for military service
- males age 16-49:
- 1,577,572
- females age 16-49:
- 1,589,715 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues
3 fieldsDisputes - international
- in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary;
- talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River
Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees (country of origin):
- 18,444 (Ghana) (2014)
- IDPs:
- undetermined (2015)
Illicit drugs
transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “Togo.” The World Factbook 2015. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/togo/2015.