Published: February 3, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Togo Travel Advisory and Togo Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
U.S. Embassy Lomé:
4332 Boulevard Eyadema, Cité OUA, B.P. 852, Lomé.
Tel: + (228) 22-61-54-70.
Hours: Monday-Thursday: 0730-1700, Friday: 0730-1230.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
Interested U.S. private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
Togo Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise increased caution in Togo. Some areas have increased risk. Travelers should not travel to the northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso due to potential terrorism and kidnapping and areas north of Kande due to potential for terrorism.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lomé as being a CRITICAL-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Togo.
Criminals may target foreigners based on perceived affluence or perceived vulnerability. In recent years, violent crime has become increasingly prevalent throughout the country. Incidents have included the use of machetes and knives, firearms, and makeshift weapons, as well as the use of ruses or trickery to lure in a victim. Robbery victims should comply with the demands of perpetrators, as perpetrators may be armed, and resisting may cause the situation to escalate to violence. There have been sophisticated armed robberies, often committed by organized transnational criminal groups. Residential and business burglaries are frequent in Lomé. Crowds sometimes target criminals (real or perceived) for vigilante justice. Since 2022, the government of Togo has enacted increased security measures including increased security patrols, checkpoints, police raids, and judicial measures meant to dismantle criminal networks.
Closely monitor surroundings when using ATMs due to the risk of petty theft during and after ATM use. Only use ATMs during the day, and then only in areas with many people and guards around if possible.
Pickpocketing incidents and theft are common in Togo, especially along the beach and in the market areas of Lomé. Avoid certain areas within Lomé at night, including public beaches and Boulevard du Mono (aka the “beach road”) due to elevated risk of crime. Avoid beach areas with no security apparatus, even during daylight hours; purse-snatchings and muggings regularly occur in these areas. Avoid public beaches and Togo’s border areas with Ghana due to crime. The police and the military actively patrol the Ghana border due to higher crime levels. Although the border is open 24 hours, it should be avoided after dark. Do not visit the Grand Marché area alone during the day; avoid the area altogether in the evening.
There are incidents of carjacking and other violent crimes targeting travelers along roads in Togo, especially outside of major cities. Roadside criminals are more likely to target travelers after dark. Recent open-source reporting indicates that car crime syndicates use Lomé’s port to transport stolen cars from the United States.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Togo, indicating that criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
The U.S. Department of state advises travelers reconsider travel to the northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso due to risks of terrorism and kidnapping associated with violent extremist organizations in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. Kidnappings are also associated with maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lomé as being a MEDIUM-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. Travelers are encouraged to not travel to the northern border region adjacent to Burkina Faso and do not travel to areas north of Kande adjacent to Benin due to the potential for terrorism.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Togo, indicating that terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.
There are currently no known indigenous terrorist organizations operating in Togo, although regional violent extremist organizations (including affiliates of al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State) in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger exploit Togo’s porous borders and limited security resources to communities and Togolese security services in northern Togo. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, Jama'a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) committed its first attack in northern Togo in November 2021. Between that attack and this report’s publication in October 2024, there have been 48 other attacks or violent incidents associated with JNIM in Togo, all in the Savannes region and the majority in Kpendjal Prefecture. Recorded incidents include attacks against civilians and police and military outposts, as well as improvised explosive device (IED) detonations that have injured or killed security service members and civilians alike.
In early October 2024, JNIM carried out its second deadliest attack in Togo. JNIM militants targeted a trench construction site near the border with Burkina Faso, resulting in the deaths of nine Togolese soldiers and 10 civilians.
Incidents of violent extremist attacks in northern Togo may be underreported due to government suppression of reporting on terrorism.
As of this report’s publication, the current embassy personnel travel policy prohibits travel north of the town of Dapaong and Highway N24 or Highway N28, along with the prefectures of Kpendjal and Kpendjal-Ouest without special authorization. Embassy personnel may not remain overnight in areas north of Mango.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed Lomé as being a MEDIUM-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Togo, indicating that demonstrations, protests, and/or strikes occur frequently, and/or that local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond adequately. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
Togo held legislative elections in April 2024. In April, the National Assembly approved constitutional changes that converted Togo’s political structure from a presidential to a parliamentary system with two executive positions: the President of the Republic and the President of the Council. Opposition leaders claimed the amendments were disguised as a way to keep President Gnassingbe in power. During the debate over the constitutional changes, Togolese authorities arrested nine opposition leaders, broke up an opposition-coalition press conference with tear gas, and banned opposition protests. As of October, officials have continued to crackdown on political dissent on social media throughout the country.
Protests & Demonstrations
Demonstrations, strikes, marches, and public protests used to be common throughout the country. In 2017, 2018 and early 2019, recurring political demonstrations took place in Lomé and major cities, particularly Sokodé, Bafilo, and Mango, as anti-government protestors called for political reforms. On multiple occasions, these protests escalated to violence. Participants in demonstrations during that time sometimes burned vehicles and other objects or threw stones indiscriminately. Avoid demonstrations and protest routes, as even peaceful demonstrations may turn confrontational. Security forces have used coercive crowd control techniques, including tear gas and batons. There have been reported beatings of demonstrators, as well as deaths of participants and law enforcement officers. Security forces have moved quickly to disperse crowds and remove improvised barricades, especially in response to unauthorized protests along the national highway or near government buildings or universities.
In Lomé, political opposition groups typically seek government authorization to hold events and announce large protests in advance, although unannounced gatherings occurred in the prior decade. Authorized demonstrations in the capital usually proceed along pre-determined routes, according to set times, and are mainly confined to the city center, as well as the neighborhoods of Bé and Agoe. Demonstrations generally do not affect airport and port operations, but traffic disruptions may occur along or near protest routes, impeding road access.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
There have been no recent Anti-U.S./Anti-Western incidents in Togo.
Law Enforcement
- Police - 117
- Gendarmerie - 172
- Fire Brigade – 118
- Kpalime Police: 2441 0053 Gendarmerie: 2441 0108 or 2441 0104
- Kara Police: 2660 6052 Gendarmerie: 2660 6281 or 2660 6161
- Atakpame Police: 2440 0101 or 2440 0123 Gendarmerie: 2440 0388 or 2440 0475
- Sokode Police: 2550 0043 Gendarmerie: 2550 0090
- Dapaong Police: 2770 8031 or 2770 0032 Gendarmerie: 2770 8413
Policing in Togo is based on the French system. There is a national gendarmerie, which is part of the armed forces under the Defense Ministry, and a national police force under the authority of the Minister of Security and Civil Protection. The police are responsible for policing neighborhoods of the capital. All units play a role and share loosely defined responsibilities for internal security of the country. Police and gendarmes often work together. Military personnel sometimes work with police and gendarmes on security matters.
The National Intelligence Agency provides intelligence to police and gendarmes, but does not have internal security or detention facility responsibilities. Police are under the direction of the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, which reports to the prime minister. The gendarmerie falls under the Ministry of Defense, but also reports to the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection on many matters involving law enforcement and internal security. The Ministry of Armed Forces oversees the military. Civilian authorities do not always maintain effective control over the armed forces, gendarmerie, and police; government mechanisms to investigate and punish abuse are often not effective. Members of the security forces have committed some abuses.
Police Response
The emergency line in Togo is 117, with additional numbers found below. Remain respectful and avoid confrontation when interacting with the police or gendarmes. Togolese security forces lack counterterrorism training, and have limited capabilities to detect or intercept terrorists entering the country or their activities.
Vetting of prospective employees with a criminal check requires a visit to the local police station responsible for the employee’s current or most recent residence.
There are several contract security companies in Lomé. Most companies offer 24-hour response capability, alarm systems, static guards, and mobile patrols. All private security guards are unarmed. Some companies will bring police as part of their response protocol. Training, experience, and organizational levels vary widely among security companies and guard contracts.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Togo, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Togo.
Although the law provides criminal penalties for conviction of corruption by officials, the government has not implemented the law effectively; officials frequently engage in corrupt practices with impunity.
The body officially responsible for combating corruption, the High Authority for Preventing and Combating Corruption and Related Offenses (HAPLUCIA), is an independent body that works with the judiciary on strengthening anticorruption practices and oversees adherence of public officials to anticorruption statutes. It also has a public outreach function that includes raising public awareness and referring complaints for legal action.
Other state entities, such as the Government Accounting Office and the Finances Inspectorate, investigate and audit public institutions, but have reported few results. Authorities maintain toll-free and text-messaging lines for citizens to report cases of corruption.
Government corruption is most severe among prison officials, police, and members of the judiciary. There are credible reports judges accept bribes to expedite and render favorable decisions in land-dispute cases.
Cybersecurity
Cybercrimes continue to be a concern, particularly so-called “419” advance-fee fraud scams that involve fake payoff or fake investment schemes. Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including U.S. citizens. Formerly associated with Nigeria, these fraud schemes are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Togo, and pose dangers of financial loss and physical harm. An increasing number of U.S. citizens have been targets of such scams, resulting in losses ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
Typically, fraud scams begin with an unsolicited communication, usually by e-mail or social media, from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of the country. Other common e-mail scams involve an individual claiming to be a U.S. citizen “trapped” in Togo, usually at the airport, and needs financial assistance to return to the U.S. or receive urgent medical care. Scams that are more sophisticated include targeting U.S. businesses and ordering a large amount of their product, contingent on the U.S. business providing banking information or paying legal fees.
Do not send any money; any funds sent are likely unrecoverable. Halt contact with scammers immediately. Do not attempt to recover funds in person. Report the matter immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, a partnership among the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National White-Collar Crime Center (NW3C), and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BIA). Refer to the fraud warning and additional resources on the Embassy website for more information.
Import/Export Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the usage of satellite phones. A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
