Togo is preparing to launch a new Sahel strategy for 2026–2028 as it seeks to strengthen stability and redefine its role in a changing West African landscape.
The plan will be presented on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Lomé during a meeting hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It replaces the 2021 framework that guided the country’s engagement in the Sahel over the past four years, according to TogoFirst.
The updated approach comes as the region faces ongoing security and political changes. The terrorist threat in the Sahel continues to expand, increasingly affecting countries along the Gulf of Guinea.
At the same time, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States and formed the Alliance of Sahel States.
Togo’s new strategy is designed to respond to these developments by aligning its actions with current realities across security, economic and political areas.
Authorities say the roadmap will focus on strengthening cooperation and adapting regional engagement.
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The meeting in Lomé will bring together stakeholders from across the Sahel to present the strategy’s priorities, which centre on dialogue and collaboration.
Officials also see the gathering as an opportunity to reaffirm Togo’s willingness to engage with members of the Alliance of Sahel States following their exit from ECOWAS.
Since tensions emerged between the two blocs, Togo has taken on a central role in both political and economic engagement. The country remains a key trade gateway for Sahel states, many of which depend on the port of Lomé for supplies across multiple sectors.
What this means for Africa
This mainly shows how divided West Africa is becoming and how countries are trying to adjust quickly. Togo is not just trying to “connect both sides” for influence.
It is also protecting its own economic and security interests. If Sahel countries are unstable or cut off, it affects trade, supply chains, and even security for coastal countries like Togo.
It also means regional cooperation is changing. ECOWAS is no longer the only strong force, and new alliances like the AES are reshaping how countries work together.
For Africa, this could lead to more flexible partnerships, but also more fragmentation if countries start pulling in different directions.
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Image Credit: Eloquent Displays
