AGP Executive Report

Ukraine-Africa Security: A Russian-flagged, US/EU-sanctioned cargo ship, Lady Mariia, was hit by drones off Africa on Sept. 6, raising fears the war’s reach is widening into coastal trade routes. WAEMU Economy: BCEAO kept its policy rate at 3% on Sept. 9, while Togo announced a new fuel price schedule—unleaded gasoline up to CFAF 817/litre. Togo Business & Tech: Lomé entrepreneur Medede Bidassa profiles Laitify, a dairy-farming tech startup using sensors, QR traceability and AI. Procurement Integrity: GNEBTP-Togo expanded its procurement compliance push to site and office staff as ARCOP enforcement tightens. Aviation Safety: ICAO is in Lomé for a technical assistance mission through Sept. 14 to strengthen airport safety oversight. Rights & Press Freedom: CPJ urged action after Togolese journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted in a mistaken-identity case. Sports (Lomé link): Rangers International beat AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties in Lomé to reach the CAF Champions League second round.

UN Cartography Push: Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution won UN General Assembly backing (164-1, with 6 abstentions), urging wider use of more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth to reflect Africa’s true relative size. Brand Protection & Innovation: In Lomé, Togo’s INPIT urged entrepreneurs to register trademarks and industrial designs to fight counterfeiting and strengthen competitiveness. Aviation Safety: ICAO is in Togo for technical assistance on airport safety oversight, supporting Lomé’s push to stay a regional aviation hub. Fuel Prices: Togo raised retail fuel prices again—unleaded gasoline to CFAF 817/litre—citing oil-market pressures. Economy & Rates: BCEAO kept its main policy rate at 3%, while inflation stayed contained but oil risks remain. Security & Crime (Nigeria): Lagos police arrested fraud syndicates targeting traders, uncovering a list of 125+ potential victims and alleging kidnappings for ransom. Sports (Lomé): Enugu Rangers beat AS Sobemap on penalties in Lomé to reach the CAF Champions League second round.

CAF Champions League: Enugu Rangers edged Benin’s AS Sobemap 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Lomé, setting up a final qualifying-round clash in October. Monetary Policy: BCEAO kept its policy rate at 3% as inflation stayed contained, while fuel-price moves continue to feed price risks. Fuel Costs: Togo raised retail prices again: unleaded gasoline to CFAF 817/litre and diesel to CFAF 766/litre, citing oil-market pressure. Business & Innovation: INPIT urged entrepreneurs in Lomé to protect trademarks and industrial designs early, and Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead for public-sector AI projects. Aviation Safety: ICAO is supporting a technical mission to review Togo’s airport safety oversight and emergency readiness. Press Freedom: CPJ called for action after Togolese journalist Roland Yaovi Kodjo was kidnapped and assaulted in a mistaken-identity case. Regional Security: Togo and neighbors met to coordinate on Sahel-linked displacement and refugee protection. Local Economy: School canteens will push more locally grown foods, boosting demand for Togolese farmers. International Spotlight: The UN adopted the “Equal Earth” push to show Africa’s true size, with Togo leading the effort.

Fuel Prices in Togo: Retail gasoline jumped to CFAF 817/litre (from 725) as diesel rose to CFAF 766 (from 750), with kerosene and other fuels also up—moves blamed on higher oil-market pressure and regional inflation trends. UN “Correct the Map” Push: The UN General Assembly backed an Africa-led resolution to promote more accurate world map projections (Equal Earth), with Togo leading and the US the lone no vote—sparking debate on how maps shape education and global power perceptions. School Canteens, Local Food: Togo plans to boost the share of locally grown crops in school meals, prioritising purchases from small farmers to improve nutrition and strengthen food security. Togo AI Lab Hiring: Lomé is recruiting a technical lead for public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. Nuclear Energy Talks: President Faure Gnassingbé is in London for the World Nuclear Symposium, urging Africa to build skills and regulatory capacity while tackling the “capital problem.” Market Fire in Kpalimé: A blaze destroyed part of Château market stocks in Kpalimé; authorities are investigating the cause and reviewing market layout and fire-prevention measures. Regional Security & Refugees: Togo is hosting a ministerial meeting with Sahel-affected neighbours to improve coordination on refugee protection and non-refoulement.

UN Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” by 164 votes to 1, backing the Equal Earth projection to better reflect Africa’s true size; the US was the lone no vote. US Visas: The US published E-2 investor visa eligibility lists—only Togo, Senegal and Liberia are on the West Africa E-2 treaty list, while 10 African countries qualify overall. AI for Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery and work on local languages. Sahel Displacement Talks: Lomé hosted regional security and refugee-protection talks with Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana to improve coordination as displacement pressures coastal states. Coast Protection Update: WACA-Togo says 25 of 26 groynes are completed along the Agbodrafo–Goumoukopé–Gbodjomé–Kpémé stretch, extending protected coastline to 26 km. Business & Markets: Fabric importers in Lomé want changes to trade regulation; a fire severely damaged Kpalimé’s Château market, destroying grain and food stocks. Education & Inclusion: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for 150,000+ girls, expanding coverage under SWEDD+. Energy/Skills: Stakeholders are pushing to upgrade Adidome Farm Institute into an Agric and Veterinary tertiary college.

Coastal Protection: Togo’s WACA-Togo project says 25 of 26 groynes are done along the Agbodrafo–Goumoukopé–Gbodjomé–Kpémé coast, with the last structure in Kpémé still under construction; the work extends protection to 26 km and includes beach nourishment, backed by CFAF 33.48 billion financing. Education for Girls: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for 150,000+ girls across 1,500+ localities under SWEDD+, expanding from the 2025 rollout. Food Security Support: Japan signed a CFAF 800 million rice assistance deal for 2026, with subsidized sales to vulnerable households and proceeds earmarked for development projects. Digital & Health Leadership: Profiles spotlight Togolese tech entrepreneur Gaëlle Matina Egbidi (SOLIMI, TogoTech) and SUNU Santé Togo’s Agbe Florent Attiogbe. Global Map Politics (Togo-led): The UN backed the “Correct the Map” push, encouraging Equal Earth-style projections that show Africa’s true size; Togo led the resolution with AU support, while the US voted against. Regional Security: JNIM’s commander says Mali’s April 25 offensive marks a new Sahel phase, while reports also describe a deadly JNIM ambush on Russian “Africa Corps” forces in Mali. Peace Efforts in Ghana: Ghana’s National Peace Council held talks with security and media on de-escalation pathways for the Bawku conflict.

Agriculture & Food Security: Togo expanded farmer financing and support in the first half of 2026, with Ecobank input loans nearing CFAF 170m for about 900 farmers, ProMIFA kits for 2,059 farmers, and training for 1,098 more via “learning wheels,” while PRIMA-Togo supplied 5.7 tons of certified seeds and backed agri-entrepreneurs and SMEs. Rice Aid: Japan signed a CFAF 800m (200m yen) deal for subsidized rice under its 2026 Kennedy Round, with proceeds earmarked for development projects. Education Reform: Togo plans career-oriented classes from upper primary and science-focused middle/high schools starting 2026-2027, including sessions led by professionals and company visits. Justice & Inclusion: Government moves to merge judicial officers and auctioneers into one “court commissioner” profession, and adopted a draft law strengthening rights and protections for people with disabilities. UN Cartography: The UN General Assembly backed the Togo-led “Correct the Map” push for more accurate world maps showing Africa’s true size, with the US the only dissenting vote.

UN Map Push for Africa’s True Size: Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution backed by the UN General Assembly (164 votes to 1, with the US the lone no) encourages use of the Equal Earth projection in schools and public life, aiming to fix long-running Mercator distortions that made Africa look smaller. Education Reform in Togo: Togo will introduce career-oriented classes from upper primary and expand science-focused tracks in middle and high schools starting 2026-2027, with early exposure to jobs via professionals and company visits. Girls’ School Support: Togo’s SWEDD+ program plans to distribute kits to more than 150,000 girls in 2026-2027, rolling out from Sept. 9 across 1,500 communities. Judicial Overhaul: A draft law would merge judicial officers and auctioneers into a single “court commissioner” profession to modernize justice services. Disability Rights: Cabinet adopted a draft law to strengthen promotion and protection of rights for people with disabilities, including health, education, work, accessibility and social protection. Justice in Labone Robbery Case: An Accra court ordered police to file disclosures in the Augustine Okechuku Maazi attempted robbery case, remanding him to Sept. 16.

Education Reform: Togo will roll out career-oriented classes from upper primary through science-focused middle and high schools in 2026-2027, using early exposure to real jobs via professionals, company visits and science weeks. Justice Modernization: The government is drafting a law to merge judicial officers and auctioneers into one profession of “court commissioner,” aiming to improve how justice services work. Disability Rights: A new draft law would strengthen protections for people with disabilities across health, education, work, accessibility and social protection, including extra safeguards for women and children. Girls’ School Support: Togo’s SWEDD+ program will expand school kit distribution to over 150,000 girls in 1,500+ communities starting Sept. 9. Tax & Financial Crime Training: Lomé hosts the OECD Francophone Academy on tax and financial crime, with a focus on fraud, illicit flows and investigative skills for revenue officials. UN Cartography Push: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map,” encouraging use of Equal Earth to better reflect Africa’s true size, with the US the lone vote against. Energy Tender: Togo kicks off a solar tender for a new plant in Agoe Nyive, with prequalification due Sept. 15. Diplomacy: Cambodia and Togo held first bilateral consultations in Lomé, discussing trade, investment, agriculture, tourism and air connectivity.

UN Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” with 164 votes to 1, urging governments, schools and tech firms to use equal-area projections like Equal Earth so Africa isn’t shown as smaller than it is; the US was the lone “no,” and the resolution is non-binding and does not ban Mercator for navigation. Togo’s Cost and Pushback: Separate reporting says Togo spent about $2 million on lobbying, tours and consulting tied to the UN campaign, drawing criticism amid a cost-of-living squeeze. Foreign Security Footprint: Northern Togo is seeing a growing presence of Russian African Corps personnel and Turkey-linked SADAT-linked actors, raising concerns about sidelining national forces and sovereignty. Health as Investment: UN Economic Commission for Africa highlighted a push to measure health spending as an economic return, with Togo among participating countries. Agriculture and Exports: Togo’s coffee and cocoa exports fell sharply in 2025-2026, while Lomé hosted the launch of a €20m regional agroecology program under ECOWAS. Regional Energy Debt: Nigeria’s electricity customers in Benin and Togo reportedly owe $28.33m for ancillary services over three years.

UN Map Shift for Africa’s True Size: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” on Sept. 4, endorsing the Equal Earth equal-area projection to better show Africa’s relative size; the vote was 164–1 with the US opposing and six countries abstaining. Togo’s Push and Next Steps: Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said the resolution is non-binding and doesn’t ban Mercator for navigation, but urges governments, schools and tech firms to use fairer projections and teach map limits. Local Impact on Education and Perception: Supporters argue the long-used Mercator projection has visually diminished Africa in classrooms and public life, while Equal Earth aims to restore a more accurate global view. Agroecology Funding in Lomé: ECOWAS launched a €20m regional agroecology innovation project in Lomé, with Togo involved in three projects to scale climate-smart farming practices. Togo’s Coffee and Cocoa Exports: In the 2025–2026 season, Togo’s coffee exports fell to 2,600 tons and cocoa to 8,900 tons, as production rose but exports dropped amid quality and traceability concerns.

UN Map Push for Africa’s True Size: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution by 164 votes to 1, urging wider use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth to better reflect Africa’s relative size; the US voted against, while six countries abstained, and the vote is non-binding with no border changes. Togo’s Diplomatic Win: ITUC-Africa and GIGS praised Togo’s leadership, saying Mercator distortions have shaped education and perceptions for centuries. What Changes Next: The resolution encourages governments, schools, publishers and tech platforms to update how they present maps, without banning Mercator for navigation. India’s Map Condition: India backed the UN move but warned any UN map must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official position. Visa Pressure for Africans: US released DV-2026 selectee figures showing 16 African countries included, but many winners still face uncertainty as a September 30 deadline nears. Health in Focus (Anambra): Anambra launched a campus HIV response initiative across 27 tertiary institutions to strengthen prevention and support for young people. Justice in Ghana: A Nigerian woman was sentenced to seven years in hard labour in Ghana for human trafficking and prostitution.

UN Map Overhaul (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push to move away from the Mercator projection and encourage equal-area options like Equal Earth, passing 164–1 with six abstentions; the resolution is not legally binding and does not ban Mercator for navigation, but it aims to change how Africa’s size is taught and shown worldwide. Local Impact (Togo): Coverage says Togo will revise school maps after the UN vote, tying the global decision to classroom materials and public perception. Diplomatic Ripples: India supported the UN resolution but insisted any UN map must depict Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh according to India’s official map, warning against “inaccurate” depictions. Debate & Pushback: The US voted against, calling the move ideological; Ukraine abstained over how Crimea is shaded on the proposed map. Business & Finance (Women): AXIAN and the AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses across five countries, including Togo, using mobile money and training.

UN Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution backing the Equal Earth equal-area projection to better reflect the true relative size of continents, with 164 votes in favour, 1 against (the US) and 6 abstentions; the Mercator map is not banned, but governments, schools and tech platforms are urged to use more accurate options where land-size matters. Togo in the Spotlight: Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said maps shape education and perceptions, and Togo plans to update its own school geography books first. Africa’s Push: The African Union hailed the vote as a step toward ending long-standing distortions that made Africa look smaller. India’s Caveat: India voted for the resolution but insisted any depiction of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh must match India’s official maps, warning against “inaccurate” or “misleading” portrayals. Ukraine Abstains: Ukraine abstained over how occupied Crimea is shown on the proposed map, calling it an unacceptable violation of international law.

UN Map Overhaul: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution by 164 votes to 1 (with the U.S. the lone no), backing the Equal Earth equal-area projection to show Africa’s true relative size and reduce the apparent scale of places like the UK and US on the centuries-old Mercator map; the vote also keeps Western Sahara separate from Morocco. Local Impact: Togo says it will be the first country to update school geography books with the new projection by end-2026, after UN approval. Regional Backing: The African Union hailed the decision as a step toward fairer representation, praising Togo’s leadership. Culture & Business: In Togo, Masina Ategou won Best Promoter of the Year 2026 at the Togo Show Business Awards, while AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance push for 34,000 women-led businesses across five countries. Health & Safety: A report warns of cannabis “toffees” and soft drinks targeting children in Togo’s Volta Region, prompting calls for tighter enforcement.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly has adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution, backing the Equal Earth equal-area projection to show Africa’s true relative size and make North America and Europe look smaller; the vote was 164 in favour, 1 against (the United States), and 6 abstentions. Togo’s Role: Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey said maps shape education and perceptions, arguing distorted cartography has long “symbolically minimised” Africa. What Changes (and What Doesn’t): The move is non-binding and does not ban Mercator; it encourages governments, schools, media and digital platforms to use equal-area maps when relative size matters. Diplomatic Pushback: The US called the effort an ideological distraction, while Ukraine abstained over concerns tied to how occupied territories are portrayed. Regional Backing: The African Union welcomed the decision and urged wider adoption across institutions and public-facing platforms.