Country Guide • Togo

Togo is located in West Africa and shares its borders with Burkina Faso to the north, Benin to the east and Ghana to the west, with a short coast on the Atlantic in the south. The country is a narrow strip, rising behind coastal lagoons and swampy plains to an undulating plateau.

Official NameRepublic of Togo
Area56,785km² (21,925mile²)
Population5,429,000
ContinentAfrica
Population per mile²247
Capital CityLomé
ReligionsIndigenous beliefs 51%, Christian 29%, Muslim 20%
LanguageFrench (official and the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
GovernmentRepublic under transition to multiparty democratic rule
CurrencyCfa Franc (CommunautÉ Financiaire Africaine)
GDP$8 billion
GDP per Head$1,500
Natural ResourcesPhosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
Land UseArable Land 41.37%
AgricultureCoffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum, various livestock and fish
IndustryPhosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement; handicrafts, textiles, beverages
TourismAlthough one of the smaller African countries Toga attracts its fair share of visitors. Its capital city, Lomé, (with its fetish market, with intriguing voodoo charms, lotions and potions, is an interesting place to wander) and the beaches that surround it are the big draws for most tourists, while those who push farther off the beaten track can see its unique village cultures and the vivacity of their markets and festivals
Natural HazardsHot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
Health RisksHIV/AIDS, Yellow fever, cholera, malaria, schistosomiasis and other waterborne diseases
ClimateTogo has a tropical climate, from December to January, the Harmattan wind blows from the north. The rainy season lasts from April to July. Short rains occur from October to November. The driest and hottest months are February and March. Average annual rainfall is 40 inches in the north and 70 inches in the west, south west and centre. The average annual temperature in Lome is 27°C throughout the year
TimeGMT/UTC- No UTC/GMT offset
National DaysApril 27 - Independence Day
VisasEveryone except nationals of the member countries of ECOWAS must have a visa to visit Togo. Proof of yellow-fever vaccination is required for entry at the airport, though it's not usually checked at land crossings
British EmbassyEmbassy Details

Information Only

The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.