Migration among Togolese youth is often viewed as a pursuit of better career opportunities. Leaving one’s country seems like a safer path to self-fulfillment. However, this phenomenon presents significant challenges, both for the migrants themselves and for Togo’s socio-economic development.

Unemployment and underemployment have long been significant issues in Togo, particularly affecting young people. A large proportion of the youth, both graduates and non-graduates, work in the informal sector, taking up jobs such as ‘zémidjan’ (motorbike taxi) drivers or vendors of adulterated petroleum products. Faced with this precarious situation, many are turning to migration as a potential solution to improve their living conditions.

In 2024, an Afrobarometer study conducted through CROP revealed that 23% of Togolese respondents favoured emigration. Among them, 55% men and 48% women expressed a willingness to leave, with the primary motivation being the search for stable and well-paying employment.

The mass migration of young people has significant implications for the country’s development. It results in a loss of human capital due to the repeated departure of qualified youth. Additionally, it weakens the social fabric, as the exodus of young people can destabilise family and community structures, leading to further social challenges.

Initiatives to address employment challenges

In response to these challenges, the Togolese government, in collaboration with international organisations, has launched several initiatives aimed at promoting the professional integration of young people.

In collaboration with  GIZ, Togo has implemented a cooperative dual training system that aligns with the needs of the labour market. The first cohort of trainees completed their training in 2018, which facilitated their professional integration.

A study conducted by the French National Employment Agency (l’Agence nationale pour l’emploi – ANPE) in 2013 identified several job-creating sectors, including agriculture, mining, construction and public works, ICT, transport and logistics, and health. Policies and opportunities in these sectors could significantly improve young people’s employability..

While migration among the youth in Togo offers hope for a better future, it also poses a significant challenge to the country’s employment and development sectors. Strengthening national policies and diversifying professional opportunities is essential to reduce the exodus of talent and foster sustainable, inclusive development in Togo.