Togo Unveils New Strategy to Drive Diaspora Investment
- Apr 29
- 2 min read
The Togolese government has introduced a new national strategy aimed at strengthening the economic role of its citizens living abroad, in a move designed to channel diaspora resources into national development.
The policy, approved in Lomé last week, marks an updated framework for engaging Togolese communities overseas, replacing an earlier plan introduced more than a decade ago. Officials say the new approach is intended to transform diaspora contributions from scattered individual efforts into a more coordinated force for economic growth.
Developed with support from the International Organization for Migration and the African Development Bank, the initiative falls under the SDE4R project, which focuses on using diaspora engagement to stimulate private investment, entrepreneurship, and long-term resilience.
Authorities say the strategy will prioritize sectors critical to the country’s development, including agriculture, innovation, business creation, and financing for productive ventures. Beyond monetary remittances, the government also plans to tap into the professional expertise, technical skills, and global networks of Togolese nationals abroad.
Speaking on the initiative, Edem Komi Amoudokpo, director of Togolese abroad, noted that the framework is meant to create a clearer structure for collaboration between the state and the diaspora in advancing national goals.
As part of the rollout, the government has launched a national diaspora registry. The database is expected to help map the skills, professional experience, and investment capacity of Togolese citizens living overseas, making it easier to align opportunities with development needs at home.
Official estimates indicate that close to one million Togolese were living outside the country as of late 2022, although some projections place the figure nearer to 1.5 million. This community continues to represent a major source of remittances, business partnerships, property investment, and cross-border trade.
In shaping the strategy, Togo is also drawing lessons from other African countries such as Morocco, Senegal, and Mali, all of which have established dedicated systems for diaspora participation in national development. Officials believe the new framework could significantly strengthen private sector growth and economic resilience in the years ahead.
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