Africa · Western Africa

Togo

Togolese Republic

Flag of Togo
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC
🏛️ Capital
Lomé
👥 Population
8,095,498
📐 Area
56,785 km²
💱 Currency
West African CFA franc (Fr)
🗣️ Languages
French
📞 Calling Code
+228
🕐 Time Zones
UTC
🌐 Region
Africa / Western Africa

About Togo

Togo is West Africa's slender, often-overlooked gem — a country of remarkable cultural diversity packed into one of the continent's narrowest territories, stretching just 56 kilometers wide at its most slender point from the Gulf of Guinea in the south to the Sahel in the north. What Togo lacks in size it more than compensates for in depth of experience: the country encompasses dense southern rainforests, rolling savannah highlands, stunning waterfalls, vibrant urban energy in Lomé, and some of the most authentic traditional cultures in the entire West African region.

Lomé, the only African capital city that directly borders another country on the coast, exudes a particular Franco-Africain charm — a place of broad palm-lined boulevards, colorful colonial architecture, excellent seafood restaurants, and the legendary Grand Marché, where thousands of market women (the Nana Benz, who built fortunes trading imported Dutch wax cloth) have dominated commerce for generations. The city's beachfront esplanade is a lively gathering place where drummers, footballers, and families mingle on white sands that stretch uninterrupted for kilometers.

Northern Togo opens into a completely different world — the Kara Region and the Tamberma Valley are home to the Batammariba people, builders of the extraordinary takienta fortified tower houses that UNESCO has recognized as a World Heritage Site. The sacred Voodoo traditions that originated in this region spread with the slave trade to Haiti, Brazil, and beyond, and Togo remains one of the most powerful centers of voodoo practice in the world. For travelers willing to venture off the standard West African circuit, Togo delivers encounters of genuine cultural depth.

History & Background

The territory that is today Togo was inhabited by waves of migrating Voltaic and Bantu peoples over many centuries before becoming the heart of the Atlantic slave trade's reach into West Africa from the 15th century onward. The Kingdom of Dahomey to the east and the Ashanti Confederation to the west competed for influence across the region, and thousands of Togolese people were sold into slavery and transported to the Americas — a legacy whose spiritual dimension is preserved in the vodun traditions that crossed the Atlantic with them.

European contact began with the Portuguese in the late 15th century, but it was German colonial ambition that stamped the country's modern boundaries. Germany established the Togoland protectorate in 1884, building the first significant road and railway infrastructure. After Germany's World War I defeat, Togo was divided between Britain and France; the French administered Togo as a League of Nations mandate and subsequently a UN trust territory until independence was declared on April 27, 1960. Post-independence Togo was dominated for nearly four decades by President Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who came to power in a 1967 military coup and ruled until his death in 2005. His son Faure Gnassingbé has led the country since, amid ongoing pro-democracy movements calling for political reform.

Culture & People

Togo is home to over 40 distinct ethnic groups, with the Ewe in the south and the Kabye in the north being the largest, each maintaining distinct languages, musical traditions, weaving techniques, and ritual practices that give the country extraordinary cultural variety for its size. French is the official language of government and education, but Ewe and Kabye function as lingua francas across their respective regions, and traditional indigenous languages remain the primary tongues of daily village life. Christianity and Islam are both widely practiced alongside indigenous spiritual traditions, with many Togolese maintaining a fluid relationship between all three.

Voodoo — known locally as vodun — is not a fringe practice in Togo but a living spiritual system recognized by the state and practiced openly. The Akodessawa Fetish Market in Lomé, the world's largest voodoo market, sells ritual materials sourced from across West Africa and draws both local practitioners and curious international visitors. Annual vodun ceremonies in communities across the south are vibrant, powerful events involving elaborate costumed possession dances, drumming, and communal rituals that express a complex spiritual worldview connecting the living with ancestors and natural forces. Togolese music — particularly the Ewe agbadza drumming tradition and the urban coupe-decale dance music that sweeps the airwaves — gives the country a soundtrack that is thoroughly its own.

Food & Cuisine

Togolese cuisine is deeply satisfying, built on the West African staple tradition of starchy bases paired with boldly flavored soups and stews. Fufu — pounded cassava or yam formed into smooth balls — and akume (maize dough) are the foundations of most meals, eaten with the right hand and dipped into groundnut soup, palm nut soup (abenkwan), or tomato-based stews enriched with smoked fish or goat meat. Grilled fish and brochettes (meat skewers) are omnipresent at roadside stalls throughout the country and represent some of the most satisfying street eating in West Africa.

Lomé's restaurants and maquis (informal outdoor eateries) offer the full range of West African flavors at very affordable prices. Grilled tilapia from the coastal lagoons, served with piment sauce and fried plantain, is the quintessential Lomé meal. In the north, the food becomes simpler and more reliant on millet, sorghum, and dried fish. Palm wine tapped fresh from raffia palms is the traditional social drink across southern Togo, while tchoukoutou — a thick, mildly fermented sorghum beer drunk communally from a shared calabash gourd — is the northern equivalent. Fresh tropical juices — baobab, tamarind, and sobolo hibiscus — provide excellent non-alcoholic refreshment throughout the country.

Top Attractions

  • Tamberma Valley (Koutammakou) — A UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Togo, home to the Batammariba people's extraordinary takienta multi-story mud tower houses that have served as fortified family compounds for centuries.
  • Akodessawa Fetish Market, Lomé — The world's largest voodoo market, where stalls overflow with dried animal parts, herbs, and ritual objects used in vodun ceremonies — a unique and unforgettable cultural encounter.
  • Kpalimé — A highland town in southwestern Togo surrounded by waterfalls, butterfly sanctuaries, and scenic hiking trails through coffee and cacao plantations with sweeping views to Ghana.
  • Lomé Grand Marché — One of West Africa's most vibrant urban markets, famous for its rows of Nana Benz women traders dealing in colorful wax prints, crafts, food, and the full energy of West African commerce.
  • Togoville — A historic lakeside village on the shores of Lake Togo, accessible by pirogue, where the German colonial treaty was signed in 1884 and a revered Catholic basilica draws thousands of pilgrims annually.
  • Fazao-Malfakassa National Park — Togo's largest national park, covering savannah and forest ecosystems in the central hills with resident elephants, buffalo, hippos, and rich birdlife.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Obtain your visa in advance through the Togolese embassy in your home country or via the e-Visa portal — visa on arrival is not available for all nationalities.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for entry into Togo; carry your International Certificate of Vaccination as it will be checked at the border.
  • Carry sufficient CFA francs (West African franc) in cash — credit cards are rarely accepted outside the largest hotels in Lomé and ATMs can be unreliable in regional towns.
  • Negotiate mototaxi (zemidjan) fares clearly before boarding; these motorcycle taxis are ubiquitous and very affordable for local movement within cities and towns.
  • Be respectful when visiting traditional village ceremonies or fetish shrines — always ask permission before photographing rituals or sacred objects.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended; use DEET insect repellent and sleep under a net, particularly in rural areas and during the rainy season.
  • French is widely spoken in Lomé and useful throughout; learning a few Ewe phrases ("Afi fo?" meaning "How are you?") will be received with genuine delight by locals.

Visa Overview

Togo offers an e-Visa system for most nationalities, allowing travelers to apply online before arrival for stays of up to 90 days. The process is straightforward and typically takes a few business days to approve. Citizens of ECOWAS member states can enter Togo freely without a visa. Visitors are required to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at entry — this requirement is strictly enforced. Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond your intended departure date from Togo. Visa fees and requirements can change; always verify through the official Togo e-Visa portal before travel.

Getting Around

Lomé's Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport is the main entry point, with connections to Paris, Addis Ababa, Casablanca, and several West African hubs. Within the country, bush taxis (shared Peugeot 504s or minibuses) connect major towns along main routes at low cost, though comfort and schedules are variable. Zemidjans (motorcycle taxis) are the fastest local transport in towns. In Lomé, taxis are readily available; negotiate fares before boarding. The road between Lomé and Kpalimé is well-paved; northern routes can be challenging in wet season. Car rental with a driver is recommended for comfortable exploration of regional sites.

Safety Notes

Togo is relatively safe compared to some West African neighbors, with low levels of violent crime affecting tourists. Lomé's beach areas and some market zones see occasional petty theft; avoid displaying valuables and be alert in crowded spaces, especially after dark. Political demonstrations occur periodically, particularly in Lomé — monitor local news and avoid large gatherings. Health precautions are important: malaria is endemic, water should be bottled or filtered, and medical facilities outside Lomé are very limited. Register with your embassy upon arrival for an extended stay and maintain emergency contact numbers at hand.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Togo.

West African CFA franc (XOF) Fr
Updated: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.016337
AAVE 0.000009
ADA 0.006392
AED 0.006261
AFN 0.109954
AKT 0.002152
ALGO 0.013019
ALL 0.139388
AMD 0.617616
AMP 2.694608
ANG 0.003070
AOA 1.564408
APE 0.010163
APT 0.002157
AR 0.000381
ARB 0.008480
ARS 2.612302
ATOM 0.000979
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002458
AVAX 0.000157
AWG 0.003052
AXS 0.001302
AZM 14.492022
AZN 0.002898
BAKE 7.099566
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.016599
BBD 0.003410
BCH 0.000005
BDT 0.209655
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000641
BIF 5.138440
BMD 0.001705
BNB 0.000002
BND 0.002185
BOB 0.020420
BRL 0.008901
BSD 0.001705
BSV 0.000085
BSW 4.104228
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.024056
BTG 0.002577
BTN 0.164428
BTT 4,552.795829
BUSD 0.001701
BWP 0.023547
BYN 0.005124
BYR 33.368724
BZD 0.003431
CAD 0.002435
CAKE 0.000683
CDF 3.940907
CELO 0.016213
CFX 0.031617
CHF 0.001415
CHZ 0.102009
CLP 1.670545
CNH 0.011441
CNY 0.011432
COMP 0.000068
COP 5.592796
CRC 0.781017
CRO 0.024971
CRV 0.004452
CSPR 0.661373
CUC 0.001702
CUP 0.040828
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.000732
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.037239
DAI 0.001703
DASH 0.000029
DCR 0.000093
DEM 0.002982
DFI 2.577055
DJF 0.304035
DKK 0.011394
DOGE 0.017893
DOP 0.102053
DOT 0.001405
DYDX 0.011778
DZD 0.227932
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000382
EGP 0.089756
ENJ 0.051003
EOS 0.017681
ERN 0.025574
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.278348
ETC 0.000190
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001522
FEI 0.001703
FIL 0.001625
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003843
FKP 0.001291
FLOW 0.053915
FLR 0.236014
FRAX 0.001718
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.006668
GALA 0.687490
GBP 0.001291
GEL 0.004425
GGP 0.001291
GHC 199.888565
GHS 0.019989
GIP 0.001291
GMD 0.126285
GMX 0.000203
GNF 15.005855
GNO 0.000014
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.056962
GT 0.000154
GTQ 0.013028
GUSD 0.001706
GYD 0.356375
HBAR 0.016527
HKD 0.013378
HNL 0.045880
HNT 0.002968
HOT 3.807827
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.047212
HTG 0.223096
HUF 0.562114
ICP 0.000524
IDR 30.588574
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005203
IMP 0.001291
IMX 0.009383
INJ 0.000225
INR 0.164428
IQD 2.232142
IRR 2,973.458922
ISK 0.209140
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001291
JMD 0.269690
JOD 0.001209
JPY 0.269505
KAS 0.039924
KAVA 0.024752
KCS 0.000228
KDA 0.183475
KES 0.219578
KGS 0.149104
KHR 6.912281
KLAY 0.045212
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.012114
KPW 1.532238
KRW 2.295802
KSM 0.000331
KWD 0.000527
KYD 0.001415
KZT 0.764656
LAK 38.426594
LBP 152.839266
LDO 0.003657
LEO 0.000191
LINK 0.000121
LKR 0.563446
LRC 0.162027
LRD 0.292776
LSL 0.028531
LTC 0.000024
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.033598
LUNC 32.416341
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.010911
MAD 0.016809
MANA 0.016783
MBX 0.057289
MDL 0.030439
MGA 7.597649
MGF 37.988246
MINA 0.010649
MKD 0.093367
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.579021
MNT 6.136338
MOP 0.013779
MRO 0.684701
MRU 0.068470
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.082598
MVR 0.026357
MWK 2.954191
MXN 0.031078
MXV 0.003527
MYR 0.006970
MZM 108.829210
MZN 0.108829
NAD 0.028531
NEAR 0.000350
NEO 0.000670
NEXO 0.001982
NFT 7,092.966341
NGN 2.262628
NIO 0.062640
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016477
NPR 0.263208
NZD 0.003050
OKB 0.000014
OMR 0.000656
ONE 0.011662
OP 0.013017
ORDI 0.000378
PAB 0.001705
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005900
PEPE 388.274352
PGK 0.007658
PHP 0.106969
PI 0.019627
PKR 0.472080
PLN 0.006689
POL 0.015703
PTE 0.305633
PYG 9.954176
QAR 0.006206
QNT 0.000007
QTUM 0.001736
ROL 81.472323
RON 0.008147
RPL 0.000893
RSD 0.178130
RUB 0.142974
RUNE 0.002182
RVN 0.714872
RWF 2.518436
SAND 0.023355
SAR 0.006393
SBD 0.013756
SCR 0.024309
SDD 102.337470
SDG 1.023375
SEK 0.017194
SGD 0.002185
SHIB 288.866107
SHP 0.001291
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.039290
SLL 39.289935
SNX 0.006780
SOL 0.000014
SOS 0.971594
SPL 0.000284
SRD 0.064473
SRG 64.472852
SSP 9.739484
STD 37.670294
STN 0.037670
STX 0.004320
SUI 0.001400
SVC 0.014918
SYP 22.135723
SZL 0.028531
THB 0.057436
THETA 0.007529
TJS 0.015698
TMM 29.835906
TMT 0.005967
TND 0.005098
TOP 0.004097
TRL 83,812.952312
TRX 0.005082
TRY 0.083813
TTD 0.011553
TUSD 0.001703
TVD 0.002458
TWD 0.054222
TWT 0.003001
TZS 4.487094
UAH 0.076674
UGX 6.800078
UNI 0.000189
USD 0.001705
USDC 0.001703
USDD 0.001703
USDP 0.001706
USDT 0.001703
UYU 0.068665
UZS 20.078907
VAL 2.951825
VEB 147,832,867.263168
VED 1.478329
VEF 147,832.867263
VES 1.478329
VET 0.196141
VND 44.351514
VUV 0.205337
WAVES 0.005667
WEMIX 0.008727
WOO 0.126412
WST 0.004730
XAF 1.0000
XAG 0.000028
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004614
XCG 0.003070
XCH 0.001083
XDC 0.051822
XDR 0.001259
XEC 209.864407
XEM 2.981881
XLM 0.007652
XMR 0.000003
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001132
XTZ 0.005191
YER 0.403029
ZAR 0.028531
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.475774
ZMK 33.483377
ZMW 0.033483
ZWD 0.617009
ZWG 0.045634
ZWL 114.027730

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Cities in Togo 84
Browse all cities and towns
Adjengré Agadji Agbelouve Amlame Amlamé Amou Oblo Aného Aneho Anié Anie Atakpame Atakpamé Badou Badou Bafilo Bassar Bassar Blitta Blitta Blitta-Gare Bombouaka Cinkassé Dapaong Dapaong Datoudjena Ezimé Gando Namoni Gboto Koissidamé Gouloungoussi Guerin Kouka Guérin-Kouka Kabou Kambolé Kande Kanté Kara Kara Kologon Konohoué Korbongou Koussountou Kouve Kouvé Kpagouda Kpalimé Kpalime Kpessi Kpété Béna Kpohe Edrokope Lomé Lome Mandouri Mango Mango Mantche Moritan Naki-Ouest Namon Nano Niamtougou Niamtougou Notsé Notse Nyamassila Pagala Gare Sokodé Sokode Sokou Kpodzi Sotouboua Sotouboua Tabligbo Tabligbo Tado Takpamba Tandjouare Tchamba Tchamba Togoville Tohoun Tomegbé Tsévié Tsevie Vogan Vogan

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Togo needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Togo?
The capital of Togo is Lomé.
What currency does Togo use?
Togo uses the West African CFA franc (Fr) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Togo?
The official language(s) of Togo include French.
What is the population of Togo?
Togo has a population of approximately 8,095,498 people.
What region is Togo in?
Togo is located in Africa, specifically in the Western Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Togo?
The international dialing code for Togo is +228.
What time zones does Togo observe?
Togo observes the following time zone(s): UTC.
What is the current time in Togo?
The local time in Togo is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Togo?
Togo covers a total area of 56,785 km².
How many states or provinces does Togo have?
Togo is divided into 10 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Togo in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Togo in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Togo?
Visa requirements for citizens of Togo vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.