Togolese businesses seek to expand into Senegal and Egypt through new trade partnerships, despite significant challenges in market access and trade imbalances.
Intra-African trade growth
The expansion of trade within Africa is creating new opportunities for businesses in Togo, although entering diverse markets like Senegal and Egypt, which have different economic conditions, remains a challenge. CCI-Togo's role
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Togo (CCI-Togo) is working to connect Togolese businesses with their counterparts in Senegal and Egypt. Its president, José Kwassi Symenouh, met with ambassadors from both countries on October 17, 2026, to discuss trade facilitation and new partnerships. Trade with Senegal
The goal with Senegal is to link business operators and help them access markets, especially under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The group also discussed challenges at the borders. Senegal is already a key export destination for Togo, accounting for 6.2% of its exports in the second quarter of 2025, according to INSEED. Trade imbalance with Egypt
Trade with Egypt is highly unbalanced. In 2025, Togo imported $30.29 million worth of Egyptian goods, while it only exported about $302,000 to Egypt. Construction materials, sweet products, and fuels are among the main imports. Both sides are exploring cooperation in areas like medicines, agriculture, technology, and construction. Future plans
The Egyptian minister of Foreign Affairs, along with business leaders, is expected to visit Togo in the first quarter of 2027. For CCI-Togo, the next step is to turn diplomatic discussions into commercial agreements and tangible projects for national companies.
