Togo rallies investors to boost livestock sector with AfDB support

TOGO – Togo has put its livestock sector at the center of national development priorities, hosting a high-level investment forum in Lomé last week that brought together policymakers, private investors, and international partners to chart the way forward for an industry considered underdeveloped but full of potential.

The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Fisheries, Livestock and Transhumance and supported financially by the African Development Bank (AfDB), underscored the importance of making livestock a driver of food security, economic growth, and rural resilience.

“Livestock remains underestimated, yet it should be a national priority,” said Dr. Matéyendou Lamboni, Secretary General for Animal Resources, as he called for coordinated efforts to unlock the sector’s potential.

Representing the AfDB, Dr. Eklu Atiobevi Somado described the industry as “a promising engine for the Togolese economy,” noting that the government’s strategy could attract structural investments capable of reshaping rural livelihoods.

Minister Katari Foly-Bazi emphasised the broader stakes, stressing that livestock development is central to national stability. 

“Supporting livestock is not just investing in an agricultural subsector; it is investing in the security and resilience of our country,” he said.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, Togo’s livestock population reached about 38 million heads in 2024, dominated by poultry, and is projected to climb above 41 million in 2025. 

The pig, sheep, and goat subsectors are also expanding, thanks in part to strengthened vaccination campaigns. Yet officials acknowledged that sustaining this growth requires large-scale investments in production, processing, and animal health infrastructure.

Data indicates that animal feed imports, a critical input for livestock expansion, are set to rise from 1.89 million kilograms in 2023 to approximately 2.16 million kilograms by 2028, growing at an annual rate of 2.1%.

Youth and digital innovation in agriculture

In a related development, Togo is also preparing to host its first AgTech Hackathon, scheduled for September 4–7, 2025, in Tindjassi, Mô prefecture. 

The event, organised by FSRP-Togo in partnership with Togo Tech, will challenge students from the Ecole Supérieure d’Agronomie (ESA) to design and refine digital solutions for agriculture.

Organisers said the most promising projects will receive technical assistance, deployment support, and funding to maximise their impact on food security and rural development.

Bouab Kpanté, Director of Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Financing, said the initiative highlights youth engagement as a cornerstone of agricultural transformation.

He noted that the hackathon aligns with broader efforts to modernise farming systems and build resilience to climate change, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

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