A 2024 constitutional amendment further strengthened President Gnassingbè’s authority, while parliamentary elections secured a constitutional majority for the ruling party. Political opposition, journalists and civil society actors face harassment, and fundamental freedoms of assembly and the press have been curtailed. The judiciary lacks independence and remains subject to political control.
Despite recent growth, Togo continues to face deep economic inequality and structural weaknesses. Public debt has reached a critical level, while access to basic services remains inadequate, especially in rural areas. Heavy reliance on external funding persists, but its impact is limited by structural obstacles.
Attacks by Islamist groups in the north and the effects of climate change pose major challenges. The government prioritizes power preservation over structural reforms, while regional and gender inequalities remain stark. Shrinking education budgets and weak implementation of development plans further undermine governance capacity.
