Togo Is Flexing Its ‘Unrivaled Maritime Power’

The port of Lome is becoming increasingly strategic as rival global powers make moves to secure access to the region, including landlocked Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, according to a report by the Independent. The deep-water port offers “unrivaled maritime access and proximity”.

The paper reports that in recent weeks, the U.S. Embassy in Togo has stepped up its economic and diplomatic outreach, with U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Richard C. Michaels touring parts of the country and promoting agriculture as a means of job creation.

“The clearest signal of U.S. interest came during Michaels’ July 21 visit to the Port of Lomé and Lome Container Terminal”, where he is said to have pitched American investment in logistics and infrastructure as a “win-win” for both countries.

His visit, according to the Independent, came after Togolese and Russian defense officials signed a bilateral military cooperation agreement in June focusing on joint training and equipment supply, which Russians said “reflects Togo’s strategic value, not only in coastal logistics but also in inland security operations”.