The development of a logistics hub in the West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea is one of three main pillars of the National Development Plan (PND) released by Togolese president Mr Faure Gnassingbe on March 4. The government is targeting a growth rate of 7.6% in GDP by 2022.

The line is expected to be developed through a public-private partnership (PPP) in line with the Togo government’s strategy of using private finance to fund 65% of the PND, which is estimated to cost more than Central African Francs 4.6 trillion ($US 7.9bn).

The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo (CCIT), Mr Germain Meba, said the development of the Tema - Ouagadougou main line in neighbouring Ghana highlighted the need for Togo to keep abreast with developments in the region and stay competitive.

“We must also set up our network as soon as possible,” Meba said. “Without a railway junction, port traffic is likely to be diverted to neighbouring countries, such as Ghana.”

Togo currently has a small network used to transport phosphate from production sites to port. However, no passenger and mainline freight services have operated in the country since the mid 1990s.

Togo Invest

The government-owned Togo Invest Holding (TI) has been charged with developing the line. TI says Togo’s deep-water port in Lomé has the potential to attract large vessels, and the development of the line would unlock economic benefits in the regions.

“The vision of the Togo Transport Corridor is centred on the construction of a new heavy rail line combined with improvements in road and telecommunication infrastructure that extends from the port of Lomé to the northern border crossing of Cinkasse,” TI says.

“The Transport Corridor project aims not only to support the development and growth of the Togolese economy, but also to stimulate cross-border trade and the growth of the hinterland economies; these goals will be achieved by developing strategic infrastructure and investing in large scale anchoring projects.”