What is the capital of Togo?

Togo’s capital is Lomé, a city located in the extreme southwest of the country, on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is the administrative, economic, cultural and political heart of this West African country.

Lomé is Togo’s largest city, with a population of over 1.5 million. Its strategic geographical position, close to the borders of Ghana and Benin, makes it an important crossroads for regional trade.

Lomé became Togo’s capital in 1897, during the period of German colonization. It replaced the more easterly town of Aného, due to its more favorable position for maritime trade.

When Togo came under French mandate after the First World War, Lomé retained its status as capital. It remained the country’s nerve center at independence in 1960, and has continued to develop as an economic and political center.

Today, Lomé is home to Togo’s government institutions, including the Presidency of the Republic, the National Assembly, ministries and numerous embassies. It is also the headquarters of several regional and international organizations, reinforcing its role in West African diplomacy.

Economically, Lomé plays a central role thanks to its autonomous port, considered one of the most important in the region. It handles import-export traffic not only for Togo, but also for landlocked neighboring countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The deep-water port of Lomé is an engine of growth for the Togolese economy.

The city is also home to numerous markets, including the famous Grand Marché de Lomé, where fabrics, handicrafts, foodstuffs and products from all over West Africa are sold.

Lomé is also an important cultural center. Museums include the National Museum of Togo, which traces the country’s history and traditions. The city is also home to the University of Lomé, the country’s largest, founded in 1970, as well as numerous schools and training institutes.

In terms of religion, Lomé reflects Togo’s diversity, with the coexistence of traditional African cults, Christianity (in the majority) and Islam. Emblematic places of worship, such as the Sacré-Coeur cathedral and Lomé’s central mosque, bear witness to this plurality.

Like many African capitals, Lomé faces many challenges associated with rapid urbanization: waste management, access to drinking water, traffic, social inequalities. Urban development projects are underway to modernize infrastructure, particularly roads, outlying districts and port facilities.

The city is also sensitive to the effects of climate change, particularly coastal erosion which threatens certain coastal areas.

Lomé has been the capital of Togo since 1897. Located on the Atlantic coast, it is a major economic center thanks to its port, and the political and cultural heart of the country. A dynamic, cosmopolitan city in full expansion, it reflects the contemporary challenges of West Africa, while retaining its own identity. Whether through its history, its economy or its diversity, Lomé plays an essential role in Togolese national life.

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