Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé is championing a bold vision at the FII PRIORITY Europe summit, urging a fundamental reset in Europe-Africa relations. Speaking on June 18, 2026, he emphasized the urgent need for a new partnership model that transcends traditional aid-based cooperation, focusing instead on shared strategic interests and productive investment.
Moving beyond outdated cooperation models
The Togolese leader highlighted how geopolitical tensions and shifting global economic dynamics demand more than conventional aid programs. In his address, he argued that Europe and Africa now face interconnected challenges—from supply chain resilience to the transformative impact of artificial intelligence—that require a fresh approach.
« The time for charity or one-sided cooperation is over. What we need is a balanced, mutually beneficial strategic relationship,» he declared, calling for partnerships built on economic sovereignty, energy security, and technological advancement.
Strategic autonomy through interdependence
Gnassingbé framed strategic autonomy not as isolationism, but as a smarter, more coordinated approach to economic relations. He stressed that recent global crises have proven how critical reliable interdependencies are—provided they are fair, predictable, and well-managed.
The Togolese president pointed out that Europe’s search for dependable partners to secure supply chains aligns with Africa’s need for capital, technology, and infrastructure. « These needs don’t compete—they reinforce each other,» he noted, advocating for a partnership where both continents grow stronger together.
Togo’s rise as West Africa’s logistics hub
During the summit, Gnassingbé also reaffirmed Togo’s ambition to solidify its role as a leading logistics and industrial platform in West Africa. The strategy hinges on key pillars:
- Modernizing the Port of Lomé to enhance trade efficiency
- Developing regional corridors to boost connectivity
- Simplifying trade procedures to facilitate cross-border commerce
- Digitizing administrative processes for transparency and speed
These efforts, he explained, are not just for Togo’s benefit but are designed to strengthen the economic resilience of the entire subregion.
Africa’s shift from raw materials to value creation
The Togolese leader underscored Africa’s determination to move beyond its historical role as a mere supplier of raw materials. He painted a vision of the continent as a hub for production, transformation, and innovation—one that creates wealth locally and offers new opportunities for European investors.
Showcasing Togo’s economic potential
The FII PRIORITY Europe summit serves as a platform for Togo to highlight its logistical, industrial, and financial strengths to global decision-makers. By participating, Lomé aims to attract foreign investment, forge high-impact partnerships, and cement its status as a key economic player in West Africa.
The event brought together top-tier figures, including Yasir ben Othman Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, and Richard Attias, Executive Chairman of the institution. Alongside them were political leaders, investors, and representatives from international financial institutions, all gathered to explore new avenues for collaboration in an era of rapid global change.