Togo joins Inter-African Coffee Organization, targets 50,000 T annual production by 2030 

TOGO – Togo has formally joined the Inter-African Coffee Organization (IACO) after submitting its Instrument of Acceptance for the 2020 Agreement in early April.  

This formal step confirms Togo’s legal commitment to the organization’s terms, which promote sustainable coffee governance and enhanced collaboration among African coffee-producing nations. 

Togo initially agreed to the IACO agreement in May 2023, and its recent ratification marks a significant move toward reinforcing its coffee sector.  

The IACO’s Secretary General, Solomon Rutega, welcomed the development, describing it as a clear indication of Togo’s dedication to increasing African ownership over its agricultural resources.  

He also emphasized Togo’s political will to engage meaningfully in regional coffee industry discussions. 

The Secretary General of Togo’s Coordination Committee for the Coffee and Cocoa Sectors (CCFCC), Enselme Gouthon, labeled the move as strategic.  

He highlighted the government’s target of producing 50,000 tonnes of coffee annually by 2030—nearly double the current production figures. 

In November 2024, Prime Minister Victoire Tomegah reiterated the government’s commitment to improving prices for farmers and other participants in the coffee supply chain. The administration is also working to stimulate broader interest in coffee cultivation and trade within the country. 

Togo’s efforts include a planned investment of at least US$18.5 million in coffee production, exceeding the US$16.3 million earmarked for cocoa.  

This funding will support the rehabilitation of aging coffee plantations and more efficient use of farming inputs to increase productivity and exports. 

According to official government data, Togo’s coffee production rose from 10,950 tonnes in 2013 to 27,330 tonnes in 2023—an increase of nearly 150% over the 10-year period. 

Exports also grew, reaching 60,000 bags (60kg) from March 2023 to February 2024, up from 50,883 bags the previous year. 

This progress stems from both government and private sector initiatives to strengthen reforms launched in 1996.  

The reforms included creating the CCFCC to manage liberalization and regulation efforts formerly overseen by the Office des Produits Agricoles du Togo (OPAT).  

These initiatives aim to restore growth despite recent socio-economic challenges, including terrorism, governance issues, and economic instability. 

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.