Country Profile · No. 50

Togo

Capital / Admin Capital

LoméPopulation: ~9.1MIndependence: 1960 (April 27)

First President

Sylvanus Olympio (1960–1963)Current President: Faure Gnassingbé (Serving since February 2005)

Geography & Borders

Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Bight of Benin (Atlantic Ocean). Long, narrow West African coastal nation stretching north from the Atlantic.

Demographics & Language

Traditional indigenous beliefs (~44%), Christianity (~43%), Islam (~14%). Official: French language. National languages include Ewe, Kabiyé. Major groups: Ewe (~42%), Kabiyé (~26%), Ouatcha (~16%).

Economy & GDP

Phosphate mining and export, agriculture (cocoa, coffee, cotton), regional transit trade through the Port of Lomé.

Global Diaspora

1. France (~50k–70k), 2. Ghana (~30k), 3. Germany (~15k), 4. United States (~10k–15k). U.S. Hubs (States / Cities): New York (New York City), Maryland (Silver Spring), Texas (Houston).

Major Conflicts

Togolese political crises surrounding prolonged dynastic rule and democratic protests during the 1990s and 2000s.

3 Must-See Sites

1. Koutammakou (Land of the Batammariba) (UNESCO-listed traditional region famous for its iconic two-story fortified mud-brick tower houses called Takienta), 2. Lake Togo (Scenic coastal lagoon popular for water sports and traditional fishing villages like Togoville), 3. Fazao Massafa National Park (Togo's largest wildlife reserve featuring rugged mountainous terrain and forest elephants).

Quick Facts

Capital Lomé is one of the few capitals in the world located directly on an international border (sharing a border crossing seamlessly with Ghana); major West African cultural hub for traditional West African Vodun practices.