As the saying goes: “the world has been populated by migration”. However, migration flows are not uniform; some countries are better known as countries of departure, some as destination or host countries and some as both. What about Togo? This small West African nation, which borders the Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, is experiencing complex migration dynamics. However, the figures show that it remains primarily a country of departure, even though its role as a host country has grown in recent years.

The available data highlights the significant size of the Togolese diaspora. According to international estimates, approximately 543,000 Togolese people were living abroad in 2019, representing almost 7% of the country’s population. A government census in 2022, put the size of the Togolese abroad at 950 000. While the majority initially settle in the West African sub-region (Ghana, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria), a growing proportion continue on to Europe, North America or Asia.

There are several factors driving Togolese emigration namely lack of skilled jobs and low local incomes, seeking higher education opportunities abroad and a long tradition of mobility within the ECOWAS region.

The diaspora is more than a statistic – it represents a vital economic resource and a key driver of national development. According to the World Bank, remittances account for around 7% of the national GDP. These transfers support household consumption, education, health and sometimes investment. In short, migration is essential for the survival and economic resilience of the country.

Togo: a host country for refugees and regional migrants

Although Togo is primarily recognised as a country of departure, it also plays a role as a host country. Although immigration is less widespread, it is still very much a reality. In 2019, approximately 279,000 foreigners comprised 3.5% of Togo’s population. Most of these people came from neighbouring countries (Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso) with which Togo shares trade and family ties.

In recent years, regional instability has reinforced this trend. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), by the end of  2024, Togo was already hosting almost 48 700 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily fleeing violence in the Sahel region. While these arrivals pose challenges in terms of housing, education, health and protection, they also serve as a reminder that Togo must embrace its dual role as both a country of departure and a land of solidarity.

Togo: a strategic transit point

Togo’s geography has earned it the status of a transit country. Located at the heart of the Abidjan–Lagos corridor and home to the deep-water port of Lomé, the country is a key transit point for both people and goods. Migrants from Central Africa and the Sahel pass through the country en route to Ghana, Nigeria and beyond. This transit exposes the territory to the risks of human trafficking, irregular migration and smuggling, necessitating increased vigilance and enhanced regional cooperation.

Departure or arrival? Interpreting the statistics

A comparison between the 543,000 Togolese emigrants and the 279,000 immigrants recorded in 2019 – a figure that does not even include recent refugees – clearly illustrates the situation: Togo experiences far more departures than arrivals. The Togolese diaspora is nearly twice the size of the foreign population residing in Togo. Official census data on the diaspora further underscores this imbalance.

However, reducing Togo to a mere “country of origin” would be incomplete. The presence of tens of thousands of refugees and migrants passing through, the density of regional traffic and the country’s humanitarian reception policy also establish it as a host and transit country. The situation is therefore hybrid, although emigration continues to dominate overall.

Challenges and prospects

Acknowledging Togo’s status as primarily a country of departure demands nuanced and well-balanced policy action.

Better documentation of migration flows is essential, given that discrepancies between international estimates and national census data highlight the importance of harmonised, transparent data collection systems.

Promoting the diaspora requires facilitating investment, lowering remittance transfer costs and fostering the transfer of skills and knowledge.

Strengthening reception requires enhancing housing infrastructure, expanding access to social services and ensuring protection for refugees and asylum seekers.

Creating local opportunities through youth employment support, entrepreneurship promotion and investment in agriculture and innovation can help reduce the pressure to emigrate.

Cooperation at the regional level is crucial. Since migration in West Africa is inherently cross-border, it must be managed in a coordinated manner through ECOWAS.

Togo is clearly a country of departure, with a dynamic diaspora whose financial contributions play a decisive role in the national economy. At the same time, it is increasingly becoming an important host and transit country in the heart of West Africa. Recognising this dual migratory identity is essential for crafting policies that uphold human rights and benefit both migrants and local communities.