Togo is reviewing plans for managing and operating seven agricultural processing centers in the northern Kara region, about 420 kilometers from Lomé. Farmers, investors and local officials began discussions in the capital on November 9, 2026, to examine proposals for running the facilities, which are intended to strengthen agricultural value chains in the region.
Seven Centers to Improve Crop Collection and Storage
The centers, spread across Kara's seven prefectures, will collect, store and pre-process crops grown in designated agricultural development zones (ZAAP). The pre-processed crops will then be sent to factories at the Broukou agro-industrial park in Dankpen municipality, where construction has begun.
Dr. Lombo Yao, technical adviser to Togo's minister responsible for agriculture, fisheries, livestock and food sovereignty, said crops handled at the collection centers would be supplied to factories at the industrial park.
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the centers are intended to improve links between farmers and processing companies, giving manufacturers more reliable access to raw materials.
Making the Centers Economically Viable
The studies under review are expected to set out how the centers will be managed and operated. Project coordinator Anakoma Bikpeta said the facilities could generate jobs for young people and women in farming, services and technical operations.
The project was estimated to cost CFAF 35.19 billion in 2022, with the African Development Bank (AfDB) providing 47% of the financing. The bank wants the project to strengthen links between local farmers and food processors, helping them supply domestic, regional and international markets.
The next challenge is to ensure the centers can operate sustainably while providing farmers with reliable buyers for their crops.
Dr. Amadou Bassiou Diallo, who represented the AfDB at the meetings, said the bank wants to help Togo develop a modern agricultural sector capable of supplying local processing industries. The goal is to ensure farmers produce enough to meet demand from processors serving domestic, regional and potentially international markets.
The first phase of the Kara agropole project covers 11,100 hectares across 31 planned agricultural development zones, along with the construction of seven agricultural processing centers.
Ayi Renaud Dossavi