• The 2026 budget for rural roads is set at CFA23bn

• The allocation is down 28% from 2025, marking a second straight decline

• Funding will focus on completing ongoing rural infrastructure projects

Togo plans to allocate CFA23 billion in 2026 to the development and rehabilitation of rural roads, according to the government’s budget projections. The funding will support projects overseen by the ministry in charge of rural access and feeder roads, with the aim of improving transport infrastructure in rural areas.

The allocation represents a 28% decline from the CFA32 billion budgeted in 2025. It continues a downward trend in public spending on rural roads. In 2025, funding had already fallen by 39% compared with 2024, when planned expenditure stood at CFA53 billion. Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the successive cuts.

Despite the reduced envelope, several projects are underway. These include the construction of 21 modular structures across the country’s five regions, with work progressing at varying stages, according to official statements. The government is also continuing a broader program focused on building and rehabilitating rural feeder roads.

With the 2026 budget, authorities say the priority will be to continue and complete ongoing works rather than launch major new projects. The stated objective remains to improve rural populations’ access to basic socio-economic services and to ease the transport of agricultural produce to markets.

Esaïe Edoh