Facing rising jihadist threats and trade uncertainties, the country diversifies its global alliances through new security and economic engagements.

Highlights:

● Russia-Togo military cooperation pact ratified, targeting northern security threats

● U.S. eyes Lomé Port as a key logistics hub for African trade

● Tariff risks loom over growing U.S.-Togo trade, despite AGOA preferences 

Togo is moving to strengthen its position in a shifting geopolitical landscape by deepening ties with both Russia and the United States — two rival powers whose influence is playing out across Africa.

On Tuesday, July 22, Russia’s legislative committee approved a bill to ratify a new military cooperation agreement with Togo, which had been signed months earlier. The pact covers joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, troop training, and emergency medical assistance.

“This agreement establishes a legal foundation for deeper bilateral support in the field of security,” said Vladimir Grouzdev, President of the Russian Association of Lawyers, as quoted by Russia’s state press agency.

The move comes as northern Togo, particularly the Savanes region, faces a resurgence of jihadist violence. It also reflects Moscow’s growing military footprint across Africa, following similar agreements with Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and São Tomé and Príncipe — part of a broader pivot away from French and American influence in the region.

Despite the security pivot toward Russia, Togo is not turning its back on the United States. Just a day earlier, on July 21, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Richard Michaels visited the Autonomous Port of Lomé to evaluate the site’s potential for American companies.

Highlighting its deep-water capacity and modern infrastructure, Michaels noted that Lomé’s port is Africa’s fourth busiest container port. The visit aligns with broader efforts to deepen bilateral trade with Togo. According to UN data, Togolese exports to the U.S. hit $97 million in 2024, up from $20 million in 2021, while U.S. exports to Togo reached $284 million.

However, uncertainty looms. In April 2025, the Trump administration introduced a blanket 10% tariff on African exports, raising concerns among Togolese exporters. Although Togo still qualifies for benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), local producers fear repercussions for key exports like cocoa, coffee, shea, soy, and textiles — the latter supported by the industrial platform in Adétikopé.

These dual-track engagements signal Lomé’s commitment to a multipolar diplomacy, turning to Moscow for hard security, while reinforcing its economic partnership with Washington.