Togo Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in Togo, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals.
Select Country Guide
Distribution & Sales Channels
Last published date:

Togo’s compact geography, investor-friendly one-stop shop for company registration, direct flights to the United States and the Port of Lome’s role as a major West African transshipment hub, make Lome a smart entry point for U.S. companies. Many companies may succeed by importing through the Port and then distributing to regional markets, partnering with Lome-based importers or wholesalers that already have established regional networks, leveraging Togo’s special industrial zones for light assembly and re-export activities. Digital single-window systems for customs and port operations help reduce delays and simplify clearance.

Distribution & Sales Channels

Most goods arrive by sea through the Port of Lome, a deep-water port that operates 24/7 and serves as a regional transshipment hub. The Lome Container Terminal handled over 2 million TEUs in 2024, up from 1.9 million in 2023 and 1.8 million in 2022, with further expansion underway. 

From Lome, inland distribution moves primarily by road to Ghana, Benin, and northward to Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Gnassingbe Eyadema International Airport supports urgent and high-value shipments, with direct flights to New York and Washington or one-stop flights via Paris and Brussels. The Adetikope Industrial Platform (PIA) outside Lome functions as a dry port, offering bonded warehousing, light assembly, and re-export options that shorten last-mile delivery times. PIA also functions as a hub for goods moving between the Sahel and the Port of Lome.

Major integrated logistics operators, including Africa Global Logistics (AGL) under Mediterranean Shipping Company, provide combined port, airport, and inland services. Customs and port processes are increasingly digitized through the Guichet Unique du Commerce Exterieur (SEGUCE/GUCE) single window and the Port Community System, helping reduce delays.

Using an Agent or Distributor

Togo does not legally require a local agent. Exporters often appoint a Lome-based importer or wholesaler to cover retail, in land distribution and regional markets. To find partners, consult the Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Togo (CCI-Togo) business directories and the investment promotion agency (API-ZF / Invest in Togo).

Establishing an Office 

Company registration is handled through the Centre de Formalites des Entreprises (CFE) one-stop shop at CCI-Togo. The CFE portal supports name checks and provides guidance on legal forms (e.g., SARL/LLC). 
For the latest Investment Climate Statement (ICS) which includes information on investment and business environments in foreign economies pertinent to establishing and operating an office and to hiring employees, visit the U.S. Department of State’s Investment Climate Statements website.

Direct Marketing 

U.S. companies often reach Togolese consumers through reseller networks and modern retail chains in Lome. Digital channels can also be effective when paired with local fulfillment partners to handle delivery and customer service.

Joint Ventures/Licensing

Business entities in Togo follow OHADA corporate law (SARL, SA). There is no general local-partner requirement outside regulated sectors, but partnerships can speed up market entry and ease local compliance. Ensure that technology and licensing agreements are properly registered for tax and intellectual property protection.

Express Delivery

DHL Express and UPS provide door-to-door service in Lome (typical transit is 2–5 business days from the U.S., depending on routing and service). FedEx usually operates via local partners or brokers. Electronic customs clearance via SEGUCE/GUCE helps speed processing for express shipments.

Due Diligence

  • Check logistics partners’ operational record at the Port of Lome and via SEGUCE/GUCE.
  • Order a U.S. Commercial Service International Company Profile (ICP) for background and reputational checks.
  • Verify local registration and good standing via CFE and CCI-Togo.

×

Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

Limitations

As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

Privacy

The Chatbot does not collect information about users and does not use the contents of users’ chat history to learn new information. All feedback is anonymous. Please do not enter personally identifiable information (PII), sensitive, or proprietary information into the Chatbot. Your conversations will not be connected to other interactions or accounts with ITA. Conversations with the Chatbot may be reviewed to help ITA improve the tool and address harmful, illegal, or otherwise inappropriate questions.

Translation

The Chatbot supports a wide range of languages. Because the Chatbot is trained in English and responses are translated, you should verify the translation. For example, the Chatbot may have difficulty with acronyms, abbreviations, and nuances in a language other than English.

Privacy Program | Information Quality Guidelines | Accessibility