Togo Country Report

Togo is a small developing country in West Africa. The primary threats to the safety and security of foreign nationals are from petty and violent crime, civil unrest and road traffic accidents. Corruption is endemic and has been one of the main obstacles to the country’s socio-economic development. Infrastructure is underdeveloped and often inadequate in both urban and rural areas. The country experienced mass protests in 2017 and 2018 over President Faure Gnassingbe’s perceived authoritarian tendencies and unwillingness to relinquish his family’s long hold on power. However, the regime’s heavy-handed response and restriction on protests have significantly curtailed opposition activities and influence and Gnassingbe was elected for a controversial fourth term as president in February 2020.

Petty opportunistic street crime is the primary concern for foreigners, although carjackings and armed robberies targeting pedestrians and motorists are also reported. Unrest occurs with some frequency in Togo, primarily triggered by political tensions between President Faure Gnassingbe's Union for the Republic (UNIR) and the opposition. There is a low but credible terror threat in Togo stemming from transnational terrorist outfits operating in the Sahel. There are currently no significant conflict risks in Togo.

There are no major aviation safety concerns..

Togo has an extensive road network, albeit of mediocre quality, and is often characterized by hazardous driving conditions.

The ports are considered relatively efficient.

While electricity supply is adequate in the capital, service provision drops considerably outside of Lome and is prone to blackouts. Internet penetration rates and connectivity are limited to the capital and are typically characterized by slow speeds and outages.

A new cybersecurity center in Togo is poised to add into efforts by individual African countries to secure the continent's cyberspace.

Major and often deadly flooding is a significant concern during the rainy season, with torrential precipitation frequently crippling overland travel and causing damage. Togo is vulnerable to periodic droughts during the dry season that runs from October through April, often exacerbated by late precipitation and unequal rain distribution. Soil erosion, coastal erosion and deforestation are a major concern in Togo and have increased the country’s vulnerability to flooding.

Malaria is widespread, while meningitis, tuberculosis, cholera and dengue fever are also present. Medical facilities are limited across the country, including in the capital, and any major procedures will require evacuations to more developed countries in the region or in Europe. Pharmacies in urban centers are generally stocked with common medications, although shortages and issues pertaining to counterfeit drugs are a concern. Water supplies are adequate in the capital, although tap water is not generally advised for consumption.

Togo has been relatively stable in recent years under the rule of President Gnassingbe, although discontent with the regime remains high and the country has experienced sporadic waves of mass protests in recent years. Corruption remains an enduring issue in Togo, with allegations of graft leveled against senior officials and the economic elite. Rule of law has improved, although the judiciary remains closely aligned with the ruling party, and a culture of impunity for elites has yet to be effectively curbed.