Keypoints:
- US positions Lomé Port as key gateway to Africa
- Strategic move to counter China’s growing influence
- Togo’s port sees rising cargo volumes and global rank
THE United States has thrown its weight behind the Port of Lomé, Togo’s principal maritime gateway, as it intensifies its commercial engagement in West Africa. The move is part of Washington’s broader strategy to counter China’s growing economic footprint on the continent.
Led by Chargé d’Affaires Joann Lockard Michaels, US Embassy officials visited the Lomé Port and Container Terminal on July 21, meeting with local authorities and stakeholders to assess investment opportunities and logistical strengths.
The Port of Lomé, now Africa’s fourth busiest container port, offers deep-water access, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a strategic location on the Atlantic coast—making it an increasingly attractive hub for American businesses.
‘With advanced deep-water capabilities and modern logistics infrastructure, the Port of Lomé presents unmatched access for US companies looking to expand their footprint across Africa,’ the Embassy said on X (formerly Twitter).
A strategic gateway for West Africa
The Port of Lomé handled 30.64 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, up from 30.09 million tonnes in 2023. It also climbed to 93rd place in global container port rankings, marking its fourth consecutive year among the world’s top 100 ports.
Located in a tax-free logistics zone, the port benefits from political stability and centrality, serving as a key transshipment hub for landlocked neighbours including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Around 70 percent of Togo’s economic activity is linked to maritime trade, with the port contributing over 75 percent of the country’s total tax revenue, according to official figures.
Its robust performance and regional role have made it a strategic entry point not just for goods, but for Washington’s renewed commercial diplomacy in Africa.
US plays catch-up in Africa trade race
The Embassy’s outreach is part of a broader push to reconnect US businesses with African opportunities. With China, Turkey, and Gulf states ramping up investments in ports, logistics, and infrastructure, Washington is eager to avoid falling behind.
By highlighting high-performing African ports like Lomé, US officials hope to encourage private sector engagement and promote more balanced trade flows.
‘Togo’s port is more than just a gateway—it’s a regional engine,’ said a senior trade advisor in Lomé. ‘For the US, it offers a timely opening into one of the fastest-growing trade corridors in Africa.’
Embassy officials are also urging interested American firms to reach out for tailored business advisory and matchmaking services aimed at boosting US-Africa trade volumes.
Lomé’s rise reflects new African trade dynamics
Beyond its ranking and volume metrics, the Port of Lomé reflects a broader shift in Africa’s trade logistics. As countries seek to assert greater control over export routes and reduce overreliance on older colonial-era systems, ports like Lomé are stepping up.
For Togo, the attention from Washington is both a recognition of progress and an opportunity to deepen international partnerships. For the US, it’s a foothold in a region where strategic influence is increasingly determined not just by diplomacy—but by logistics.
