Every investor knows that understanding visa options is as important as evaluating the market itself. In this guide, you’ll discover how to secure entry into Togo, explore the country’s sector incentives, compare its approach to neighbors, and learn how ECOWAS membership can simplify your residency journey.

Navigating Togo’s Visa Options

Togo doesn’t offer a dedicated “investor visa,” but you can access the market through existing categories:

Business Visa

To set up operations or attend meetings, you’ll need a business visa. Requirements include[^1]:
– Valid passport (≥ 6 months)
– Completed visa application
– Two passport-size photos
– Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation)
– Travel itinerary or round-trip ticket
– Bank statements showing sufficient funds
– Yellow fever vaccination card

You submit your dossier at a Togo Ministry of Foreign Affairs entry visa requirements office, pay the fee, and typically wait 5–10 days.^2

e-Visa

Citizens of eligible countries can apply through the official Togo e-Visa portal online[^3]:
1. Fill out the form on the portal
2. Upload passport and photo
3. Pay online (≈ 60 USD)
4. Receive visa via email (valid for single or multiple entries, up to 90 days)

Transit Visa

If you’re en route through Lomé–Tokoin International Airport, a 7-day transit visa lets you switch flights without entering the country proper[^1].

Togo’s Approach to Attracting Foreign Capital

Although Togo lacks a formal investor-residency scheme, the government has enacted incentives to draw investors in key sectors.

Historical Context

Since the 2000s, Togo has reformed its investment code to streamline procedures and reduce taxes for new ventures, as detailed in UNCTAD’s Investment Policy Monitor on the Togo Investment Code. Talk of a citizenship-by-investment program has never crystallized, unlike in some island states listed in the Henley & Partners Citizenship by Investment Programs Index.

Sector-Specific Incentives

• Phosphate Mining: As Africa’s fifth-largest producer (USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2022), new mining projects benefit from up to seven years’ corporate tax exemption under Law No. 2019-025[^4].
• Agriculture: Cocoa and cotton farms can secure duty-free imports of equipment and fertilizers, according to the FAO country profile for Togo.
• Logistics: The World Bank overview of Port of Lomé development notes that West Africa’s deep-water hub grants reduced port fees for investors who commit to multi-year terminal leases[^6].

Leveraging ECOWAS for Easier Residency

Togo is a founding member of ECOWAS, which grants you[^7]:
– Visa-free travel for 90 days among member states
– Right to reside and work, provided you register locally

These privileges are enshrined in the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement of Persons.

How Togo Stacks Up Against Neighbors

Compared to Ghana, Senegal or Côte d’Ivoire:
– None of these countries currently has a formal citizenship-by-investment program[^8].
– Togo’s streamlined business visa mirrors regional norms but pairs it with lower company-tax rates for exporters.
– On the World Bank Doing Business 2020 report, Togo ranks 97 out of 190; Ghana is 118, Senegal 123, and Côte d’Ivoire 78[^9].

Recent FDI Trends and Policy Reforms

Foreign direct investment into Togo reached roughly US $440 million in 2021, up from $300 million in 2018, according to the World Bank FDI net inflows data for Togo[^10]. Key reforms include:
– Adoption of OHADA uniform acts to harmonize commercial courts
– One-stop shop for company registration (≤ 7 days)
– Simplified tax-payment portal for non-resident firms

Setting Up for Residency Through Business

While you can’t buy residency outright, here’s a common route:
1. Register a Togolese company (min. XOF 1 million capital) at the Guichet Unique[^11].
2. Apply for a long-stay visa (employment/investor category) using your company documents and proof of funding.
3. Upon arrival, convert to a residence permit at the Ministry of Interior within 30 days.

Your Next Steps in Togo

Togo offers entry points for investors through its business and e-visa schemes, bolstered by sector incentives and ECOWAS privileges. Although there’s no standalone investor visa, ongoing reforms and competitive tax breaks make it a compelling option. If you’re eyeing West Africa, Togo’s blend of stability, strategic port access and evolving investment code deserves a spot on your shortlist.

[^1]: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Togo. Entry visa requirements. https://www.mfa.gov.tg/index.php/en/consular-services/entry-visa
[^2]: VisaGuide.world. Togo Visa Processing Time. https://visaguide.world/africa/togo/visa/
[^3]: Schengen Visa Info. Togo e-Visa application. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/togo-visa/
[^4]: UNCTAD Investment Policy Monitor. Togo Investment Code. https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitoring/laws/3222/investment-code
[^5]: US Geological Survey. Phosphate Rock Statistics. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2022/mcs2022.pdf
[^6]: World Bank. Port of Lomé Development. https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/togo/brief/lome-port
[^7]: Economic Community of West African States. Free Movement Protocol. http://www.ecowas.int
[^8]: Wikipedia. Citizenship by investment. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizenship_by_investment
[^9]: World Bank. Doing Business 2020 – Togo. https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/data/exploreeconomies/togo
[^10]: World Bank. Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$) – Togo. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/BX.KLT.DINV.CD?locations=TG
[^11]: Doing Business 2020. Starting a business in Togo. https://www.doingbusiness.org/en/data/exploreeconomies/togo#STARTING-A-BUSINESS