Togo’s faure gnassingbé champions a refreshed europe-africa strategic partnership

President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, has been actively participating in the FII PRIORITY Europe summit since June 18, 2026. This high-level gathering convenes to address critical global topics, including the financing of reindustrialization efforts, enhancing supply chain resilience, and navigating the evolving landscape of work in the era of artificial intelligence.

From this prominent international platform, the Togolese leader passionately advocated for a fundamental redefinition of relations between Europe and Africa. He called for a new framework built upon shared strategic interests, robust productive investment, and a more effective management of economic interdependencies.

faure gnassingbé urges a move beyond outdated cooperation models

During his address, President Gnassingbé emphasized that Europe and Africa now face increasingly similar challenges. This convergence occurs within a global context characterized by escalating geopolitical tensions and intense economic competition.

He asserted that traditional models, which primarily rely on aid or conventional cooperation, are no longer adequate to address contemporary realities.

“It is no longer about discussing aid or classic cooperation; rather, it is about constructing a more balanced strategic relationship between Europe and Africa,” he stated.

For the Togolese head of state, both continents must forge partnerships capable of responding to new imperatives related to economic, energy, and technological sovereignty.

strategic autonomy founded on managed interdependencies

Faure Gnassingbé also articulated his vision for strategic autonomy, which he views not as a retreat into isolation, but as a more organized approach to economic relations among nations.

He highlighted that recent global crises have underscored the critical importance of interdependencies, provided they are made more secure, equitable, and predictable.

The President of the Council firmly believes that Europe and Africa possess inherent complementarities that can foster the emergence of an innovative cooperation model.

europe-africa: paving the way for a mutually beneficial partnership

The Togolese head of government reiterated that Europe actively seeks reliable partners to secure its supply chains and bolster its competitiveness. Concurrently, Africa requires capital, advanced technologies, and robust infrastructure to accelerate its economic transformation.

“These needs are not opposing; in fact, they can mutually reinforce each other,” he affirmed.

For Faure Gnassingbé, the Euro-African partnership must now be conceived as a convergence of strategic interests, ultimately benefiting both continents.

Togo aims to solidify its status as a west african logistics hub

Turning to Togo’s national strategy, the President of the Council reaffirmed the nation’s ambitious goal: to become a leading logistics, industrial, and commercial platform in West Africa.

This forward-looking vision is primarily underpinned by:

• the ongoing modernization of the Port of Lomé;
• the strategic development of regional corridors;
• initiatives to facilitate trade;
• and the comprehensive digitalization of procedures.

He underscored that these infrastructural advancements not only benefit Togo but also significantly contribute to the economic resilience of the entire sub-region.

an africa focused on production and value creation

Faure Gnassingbé strongly emphasized Africa’s determination to transcend its historical role as merely a supplier of raw materials.

The continent, he stressed, aspires to evolve into a dynamic hub for production, transformation, and innovation, capable of generating greater value locally.

He further suggested that a more industrialized and integrated Africa would present substantial opportunities for Europe and for international investors.

Togo boosts its profile among global investors

Beyond the high-level strategic discussions, Togo’s participation in the FII PRIORITY Europe summit serves as a crucial opportunity to showcase the country’s logistical, industrial, and financial strengths to global economic decision-makers.

For Lomé, this international presence aligns with its objective to attract more investments, forge impactful partnerships, and solidify its position as a key regional economic hub.

The summit brought together numerous prominent figures, including Yasir ben Othman Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Future Investment Initiative Institute, and Richard Attias, founder and Executive Committee President of the institution, alongside other political leaders, investors, and heads of international financial institutions.