India Now Largest Buyer of Togo’s Exports as China Dominates Imports

BREAKING NEWSAugust 28, 2025 at 1:27 PM UTC

TLDR

Togo’s trade data for the first quarter of 2025 show Asia tightening its grip on the country’s external flows
India absorbed 21.3% of Togo’s exports, equal to CFA55.15 billion ($91 million), largely agricultural and mining products
On the import side, China supplied 25.8% of purchases, worth CFA114.8 billion ($190 million), reflecting Togo’s growing dependence on Chinese-manufactured goods

Togo’s trade data for the first quarter of 2025 show Asia tightening its grip on the country’s external flows, with India leading exports and China consolidating its dominance as the main supplier.

India absorbed 21.3% of Togo’s exports, equal to CFA55.15 billion ($91 million), largely agricultural and mining products such as clinker and cotton, according to official data. Burkina Faso followed with 10.4% and the Ivory Coast with 9.1%. Together with Ghana, Mali, France, and Benin, the top 10 export partners accounted for 74.4% of total external revenue.

On the import side, China supplied 25.8% of purchases, worth CFA114.8 billion ($190 million), reflecting Togo’s growing dependence on Chinese-manufactured goods and equipment. France (6.6%) and India (6.1%) trailed. The top 10 suppliers provided 64% of imports, underlining both diversification and higher reliance on Asia.

The trends highlight an increasingly strategic Lomé-Asia trade corridor, raising both risks of dependency and opportunities for deeper economic integration.

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Key Takeaways

Togo’s trade flows underline Asia’s growing influence in West African economies. India’s rise as the largest export partner strengthens agricultural and resource links, while China’s dominance on the import side reflects its role in infrastructure, equipment, and port logistics. This dynamic mirrors a broader continental trend where African markets pivot eastward as Asian partners offer both capital and consumer demand. The concentration of exports in a few commodities exposes Togo to price volatility, especially in phosphates and cotton, while heavy reliance on Chinese imports could challenge local industry. At the same time, the Lomé port’s position as a redistribution hub enhances the country’s role in regional trade. Balancing diversification with Asia’s growing pull will be central to Togo’s economic strategy.

Togo

Economy

Trade

Asia

India

China

Exports

Imports