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Togo

Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa. It borders Ghana, Benin, and Burkina Faso, and has a short coastline on the Gulf of Guinea where its capital, Lomé, is located. French is the official language, and the economy is based largely on agriculture and phosphate mining.

Geography

Togo is a long, narrow country on the West African coast with a tropical climate. Its landscape includes a coastal plain, central hills and mountains, and northern savanna.

History

The territory was part of German Togoland before being transferred to French administration after World War I. Togo gained independence in 1960.

Government and politics

Togo is a republic. Recent constitutional changes, promulgated in 2024 and implemented over the following year, shifted the system from presidential to parliamentary according to Britannica.

Economy

Agriculture is central to the economy, with crops such as cassava, yams, maize, cotton, coffee, and cacao. Togo is also a major phosphate producer and has industries including food processing and cement.

People and languages

Togo has a diverse population with multiple ethnic groups, including the Ewe, which is often described as the largest. French is official, while Ewe, Kabiye, and other local languages are widely spoken.

Key facts

  • Togo is a narrow West African state stretching from the Gulf of Guinea to Burkina Faso.
  • It borders Ghana, Benin, and Burkina Faso.
  • Lomé is the capital and largest city on the coast.
  • The economy depends on agriculture and phosphate mining.
  • Togo became independent from France on 27 April 1960.
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Canadian context

Togo is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which creates an institutional connection relevant to Canadian readers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Togo?
Togo is a country in West Africa, officially called the Togolese Republic.
What is the capital of Togo?
The capital and largest city is Lomé.
What language is spoken in Togo?
French is the official language, and several indigenous languages are also spoken, including Ewe and Kabiye.
When did Togo become independent?
Togo became independent on 27 April 1960.
What countries border Togo?
Togo borders Ghana, Benin, and Burkina Faso.
What is Togo known for economically?
Its economy relies heavily on agriculture, and it is one of the world’s notable phosphate producers.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Togo
    Supports: Basic geography, capital, official language, area, population, borders, and memberships.
  2. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Togo
    Supports: Capital, geography, population, languages, religion, economy, and constitutional changes.
  3. Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/summary/Togo
    Supports: Concise national profile including area, population, capital, languages, economy, and government change.
  4. CIA World Factbook — https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/about/archives/2022/countries/togo/summaries
    Supports: Historical background including transfer to French rule and independence in 1960.
  5. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-14106781
    Supports: Country profile, independence, capital, population, languages, and economic context.
  6. Nations Online Project — https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/togo.htm
    Supports: Population and capital city information.
  7. ECOWAS — https://ecowap.ecowas.int/media/ecowap/naip/files/Togo_English.pdf
    Supports: Area, borders, coastline, administrative regions, independence date, and French as official language.