Ready to unlock a gateway to a booming market? Togo is rolling out the red carpet for UK investors, offering a unique opportunity to tap into both Francophone and Anglophone Africa. This is a chance to be part of something big!
On Wednesday, November 12th, Lomé, Togo, became the vibrant host of the fourth UK-West and Central Francophone Africa (UK-WCAF) trade and investment forum. This marked a significant milestone, as it was the first time this event took place on African soil. The forum drew nearly 700 participants, including key policymakers, investors, and business leaders from around ten countries.
The two-day event was packed with country presentations, insightful thematic panels, engaging roundtables, productive B2B meetings, and valuable networking sessions. The core focus? Exploring investment opportunities, forging strong trade partnerships, and discovering innovative financing tools designed to boost economic cooperation between the United Kingdom and Francophone West and Central Africa. Participants also highlighted their respective national economic priorities and recent market reforms aimed at attracting more investment.
President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, "We are opening a new chapter today in the partnership between the United Kingdom and Francophone Africa. Investing in Togo means entering the growth corridor linking Lagos, Cotonou, Lomé, Accra and Abidjan, and gaining access to both Francophone and Anglophone markets." He was referring to a regional market that boasts a population of over 450 million people!
For Togo, this forum was a golden opportunity to showcase its strengths. They've been working hard to improve their business climate and attract foreign investment, particularly highlighting their deep-water port and competitive fiscal reforms.
Adding to the momentum, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the opening session between the Togolese government and British economic actors. This MoU covers several crucial sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, and agro-industry.
President Gnassingbé urged participants to think long-term. He encouraged British partners to "look to the future with us, to invest not only in traditional infrastructure but also in Africa’s new growth frontiers: the green economy, the local processing of critical raw materials, digital finance and creative industries."
But here's where it gets interesting... Could this be the beginning of a major shift in investment strategies, focusing on the African continent? What are your thoughts on this strategic move? Share your opinions in the comments below!
