The Port of Lomé in Togo is drawing unusual attention as global powers jostle for influence in West Africa. Landlocked states like Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso rely on this route for survival, making it a prize in the new struggle for access.
The deep-water facility, the only one of its kind in the Gulf of Guinea, offers “unrivaled maritime access and proximity”, according to a recent report by the Independent.
The United States has stepped up its outreach in Togo. In recent weeks, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Richard C. Michaels toured parts of the country, pushing agriculture as a way to create jobs and improve food security.
“The clearest signal of U.S. interest came during Michaels’ July 21 visit to the Port of Lomé and Lomé Container Terminal,” the paper reported. He pitched American investment in logistics and infrastructure as a “win-win” for both countries.
His message comes at a time when Washington is keen to check Russia and China’s growing footprint across West Africa. From trade to military cooperation, the region has become a stage where rival ambitions collide.
Russia Signs Military Pact with Togo
Barely a month before Michaels’ port visit, Togolese and Russian defense officials signed a military cooperation agreement. The deal covers joint training and equipment supply for Togo’s security forces.
Russian officials described it as proof that “Togo’s strategic value lies not only in coastal logistics but also in inland security operations.”
Analysts say such agreements show how smaller African states, often overlooked, are now courted as key partners.
The Port of Lomé, with its modern container terminal, serves as a gateway not just for Togo but also for Sahel nations cut off from the sea.
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