What to Know Before Visiting Togo?

Country Facts:
 Togo’s population is made up of around 40 tribes.
 Bargaining is commonplace in Togo, with many items deliberately overpriced to
compensate for this fun pastime! Cheeky!
 Togo and its surrounding regions were known as “the slave coast” between the
16th and the 18th century because Europeans would come to the region in
search of slaves.
 Togolese usually have two to three meals a day and they are very hospitable.
 The society in Togo was divided according to traditional and non-traditional lines.
The kings, Vodou priests, and paramount chiefs are the elite. The educated,
business professionals and government officials entail modern elite.
 Children remain at home till they reach five years of age. Kids go to school for
formal education once they cross this age limit.
 Togo had a great railway network during the reign of the German. During the
outbreak of First World War in 1914, Togo was drawn into a conflict.
  Slavery was abolished in Togo in the nineteenth century.
 Togo has many limestone mines which have created employment opportunities.
 Togolese health care system is poor due to lack of resources to put up modern
health facilities and high population growth rate.
 Togo has a low percentage of educated adults, the highest number being women
who can not read and write.
 The Togo government only provides 24.7 percent of the money required for
education.
 The Mont Agou at 986 m above sea level is the highest mountain in Togo.
Source:
1. https://facts.uk/19-thrifty-facts-about-togo/
2. https://thefactfile.org/togo-facts/

Country Flag:
Capital: Lome is the capital of Togo.
Government: Politics of Togo takes place in a framework of a presidential republic,
whereby the President of Togo is both head of state and head of government. ...
Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament. Since independence
the party system is dominated by the authoritarian Rally for the Togolese People.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Togo
Prime Minister: Komi Sélom Klassou is Prime Minister of Togo since 2015.
Economy: The economy of Togo has struggled greatly. The International Monetary
Fund (IMF) ranks it as the tenth poorest country in the world, with development
undercut by political instability, lowered commodity prices, and external debts. While
industry and services play a role, the economy is dependent on subsistence agriculture,
with industrialization and regional banking suffering major setbacks. For the 2019
estimate, GDP per capita in Togo will be $1826 in PPP per capita and $671 in nominal
per capita.
Population: The population of Togo was estimated to be 7.889 million in 2018.
Religion by Percentage:  According to a 2004 estimate by the University of Lome, the
most recent data available, the population is 33 % traditional animist, 28 % Roman
Catholic, 14 % Sunni Muslim, 10 % Protestant, and 10 % other Christian
denominations.
Source: https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/africa/to-religion.htm

Top Togo Foods: Togolese cuisine is characteristic of many other Western African
cuisine, with the additional influences of German and French cuisines. This special and
unique combination is what makes the foods in Togo among the very best ethnic foods
of Africa. Staple foods found in the Republic of Togo include plantain, beans, yam, millet
and rice. But maize (corn) is the most commonly used of all staples in Togolese cuisine.
Fish and seafoods comprise a major source of protein. Additional sources of protein
come from “bush meat” – small to medium-sized wild animals – amphibians, birds,
mammals and reptiles – which are hunted for consumption. Below are top “must try”
dishes for visitors to Togo:

 Djenkoume: Djenkoume are traditional Togolese tomato cornmeal fritters that

are typically served as an accompaniment to other dishes. They are made with
crushed garlic, grated ginger, minced onions, red palm oil, chopped tomatoes,
tomato paste, chicken broth, and cornmeal. The ingredients are combined and
cooked until the concoction develops a thick consistency. Djenkoume fritters are
served while hot, and it is recommended to pair them with grilled meat.
 Gboma Dessi: Gboma dessi is a hearty, traditional dish from Togo that usually
combines beef and spinach, though other types of meat may also be used. Diced
meat is browned and slowly stewed alongside tomatoes, garlic, onions, ginger,
chili peppers, and gbotemi spice blend, which usually incorporates cloves, anise,
cardamom, and ajwain seeds. Boiled spinach is added last, and the dish is
typically served alongside rice or traditional ablo or akoumé dumplings.

 Crevettes aux Poivrons: This simple stir-fry from Togo combines shrimps and
diced or sliced peppers - traditionally red, green, and yellow bell peppers. Other
 common additions include ginger, garlic, and onions that can be diced and fried,
or optionally puréed into a paste which goes under the name n’toutou. The
ingredients are shortly stir-fried until the shrimps are thoroughly cooked. The dish
can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a light main course, usually accompanied by
cooked or fried sweet potatoes.

 Riz sauce arachide: It tastes as rich as it looks, even if it’s just a particularly
simple dish. The people of Togo eat riz sauce arachide as a complete meal, and
tourists should enjoy a serving before their trip back home. The two major
ingredients of this dish are peanuts and rice. The peanuts are first ground and
then made into a healthy and delicious sauce, and then poured over cooked rice.
The ingredients are fresh and tasty, which give the dish a unique flavor. In
addition, the ingredients are fat free, yielding a flavorful yet very healthy delicacy.

 Koklo Meme: Koklo meme sounds like an exotic dish, but it’s actually a very
familiar one. Still, the Togolese ingredients and way of cooking give it a unique
and distinctive flavor. Koklo meme is just grilled chicken with a spicy chili sauce.
As with any other grilled food, the chicken is served juicy and hot, with the
trademark smoky flavor. A sauce made from fresh chili is served with the
chicken, either drizzled onto the chicken or served separately as a dip.

 Sodabe: Sodabe is what the people of Togo fondly call their version of palm
wine. Palm wine is an alcoholic drink that is prepared from the sap of palm trees,
such as coconut palms, which are found all over Togo. Sodabe is often served in
bowls carved from the shells of coconuts. Sodabe has high alcohol content, so
tourists should be cautious when drinking this beverage. During celebrations and
festivals, sodabe is often served everywhere. The taste is strong but unique. This
local drink is something that you should try when you visit Togo.

 Pate: Pâtéis a Togolese dish that is made from maize. The maize is ground into
flour and then combined with water to make a dough. Pâtés may be
accompanied by different kinds of sauces that are usually made from vegetables
such as okra, spinach, and ademe. Thick stews that use locally grown produce
may also be served alongside the dish. However, Pâtécan also be served with
nonvegetable sauces and dips. Meat sauces and dips most often use poultry and
smoked fish as the base ingredients. In some more exotic locales, even rats are
used.

 Fufu: Fufu is a traditional food in Togo that is considered a countrywide favorite.

Its main ingredient is yam. To make fufu, the yam is first boiled and then mashed.
Afterward, it is made into a dough, which is then cooked to form fufu. Fufu can be
eaten on its own. However, most of the time, the Togolese prepare various dips
and sauces to add flavor to the snack. Fufu is regularly sold in both street stalls
and restaurants. It can be eaten as a heavy snack or as a side dish to bigger,
heartier meals.
Language: The official language is French. Two indigenous languages were
designated politically as national languages in 1975: Ewé (Ewe: Èʋegbe) and Kabiyé.
The two national languages tend to be used regionally: Ewé in the south from Lomé to
Blitta, and Kabiye from Blitta to Dapaong in the north. Togo is a multilingual country,
which according to one count has 44 languages spoken.. The official language is
French. Two indigenous languages were designated politically as national languages in
1975: Ewé (Ewe: Èʋegbe) and Kabiyé.

Dress for Men and Women: Togo people are friendly and free, women often wear long
wrapped around skirts or dresses and nothing as a top. However, knees are advised to
be covered. There is a common outfit that very closely resembles American men's
pyjamas--a button-up shirt and pair of pants with a drawstring. In fact, men often buy
men's PJs at the Dead Yovo market and wear them to meetings or any public occasion.

Holidays: There are several national holidays in Togo such as:

 New Year's Day
 Easter Monday
 Independence Day
 Labour Day
 Ascension Day
 Eid al-Fitr
 Whit Monday
 Martyrs' Day
 Eid al-Adha
 Assumption of Mary
 All Saints' Day
 Christmas Day
Travel Tips:

 Togo is probably one of the nicest places in Western Africa. Roads are pretty
good, distances small, beaches sandy and white, people friendly, hills and
mountains waiting to be explored.
 In Togo, there are about 40 different ethnic groups, the most numerous of which
are the Ewe in the south (46%) (Although along the south coastline they account
for 21% of the population), Kotokoli and Tchamba in the center, Kabyé in the
north (22%).
 Another classification lists Uaci or Ouatchis (14%) as a separate ethnic group
from the Ewe which brings the proportion of Ewe down to (32%).
 The climate is generally tropical with average temperatures ranging from 27°C on
the coast to about 30°C in the northernmost regions, with a dry climate and
characteristics of a tropical savanna.
 Highly variable stretching from north to south. Gently rolling savanna in north;
central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and
marshes.
  Nationals of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and
Sierra Leone may enter Togo visa-free.
 Nationals of all other countries can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of
7 days, if they hold a return or onward ticket. Extension of stay is possible for
additional 90 days.
 There are bush taxis everywhere. These are basically four door cars, with four
people in the back, and two sharing the front.
 There are overland buses from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire and Benin.
 The train service in Togo is not currently available.
 French is the national language and the lingua franca. Virtually no English is
spoken in the whole of the country, aside from business offices and major banks
in the capital.
 Togo is a charming country, but most of the charm comes from the charming
people; this is a small country with a small number of small attractions. Lomé's
markets, both general and voodoo, are the most popular stop in the country
along the road between Ghana and Benin.
 Most goods are not supposed to have negotiable prices. Don't haggle with the
poor woman trying to sell people a banana.
 A liter of gasoline will cost you around 600 CFA, a liter of water around 300 CFA.
A baguette is around 175 CFA and half a pound of local coffee will cost 1,200
CFA. A beer in the supermarket will cost your around 350 CFA, at an expat
restaurant this will be around 1,000 CFA. A coca-cola will cost you between 200
and 400 CFA in the supermarket.
 The most popular souvenirs from Togo tend to be something voodoo related, like
a charm or mask. The obvious place to shop for these curios is Lomé's voodoo
market, although you will be paying tourist trap-premium prices.
 Basic rooms can be found from about 4000 CFA onwards, much lower if you
have a good bargaining position.
 Driving is difficult and dangerous in Togo, with fatalistic overloaded speed
demons chancing it on curves and hills, capital streets swarming with
motorcycles throughout the black of night, and worrisome accident scenes along
the main roads.
 Drink bottled water such as Volta or sachets of "Pure Water". Bissop juice is also
fairly safe as it is boiled, and avoid the lemonade "citron" despite its delicious
aspect. Stay away from road-side meals if possible.
 Greetings are a little more elaborate in Togo. Say hello to everyone when coming
and going. Handshakes are key.


Top 10 Attractions and places to visit:

1. Lome
2. Kpalime
3. Sokode
 4. Togoville
5. Aneho
6. Lake Togo
7. Atakpame
8. Aflao
9. Fazao-Malfakassa National Park
10. Notse
Togo Boys Name:
 Azagba
 Bobo
 Coffie
 Commie
 Fynn
 Odom
 Jojo
 Fram
Top Universities in Togo:
1. Université de Lomé
2. Université de Kara
3. Université Catholique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest - Unité Universitaire du Togo
4. Université des Sciences et Technologies du Togo
Top 10 Websites: Not available on alexa
1. Google.com
2. Youtube.com
3. Facebook.com
4. Xvideos.com
5. Instagram.com
6. Whatsapp.com
7. Xnxx.com
8. Gouv.tg
9. Yahoo.com
10. I-Froo.com
Top 3 Search engines used:
1. Google
2. Bing
3. Yahoo
Top exports:
 Refined Petroleum
  Gold
 Crude petroleum
 Calcium Phosphate
 Cement
Top 5 Cars:
Top cars in Togo includes:
1. BMW
2. Toyota Avensis
3. Corolla Mazda
4. Hyundai Tucson
5. Toyota Yaris
Natural Disasters:
Many types of natural disasters occur in Togo such as:
 Floods
 Bush fires
 Landslides
 High winds
 Coastal erosion
Home Designs / Architecture:
The Togo traditional houses usually have two stories, and either flat or conical thatched
roofs. Koutammakou is an example of a settlement known for its architecture of mud
Takienta tower-houses.
Deaths and Mortality:
In 2019, death rate for Togo was 8.3 per 1,000 people. Death rate of Togo fell gradually
from 18.9 per 1,000 people in 1970 to 8.3 per 1,000 people in 2019.
Source: https://knoema.com/atlas/Togo/Death-rate