Togo’s president champions stronger africa-europe economic partnership in rome

In Rome, at the FII PRIORITY Europe 2026 summit held from June 17 to 19, Togo’s President, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, advocated for a reinvigorated economic collaboration between the African continent and Europe. As a distinguished guest at this forum, which focused on bolstering Europe’s competitiveness, the Togolese head of state underscored his nation’s ambition to serve as a pivotal regional logistics hub, integral to reshaping global value chains.

FII PRIORITY Europe Summit: Faure Gnassingbé, esteemed guest in Rome

President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé participated in the FII PRIORITY Europe summit proceedings on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the elegant Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri. Having arrived in the Italian capital the day prior, the Togolese leader attended the event at the invitation of Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Chairman of the FII Institute, the summit’s organizing body.

Bringing together heads of state, international investors, and economic policymakers under the theme “Europe Reimagined: Capital, Sovereignty, and Strategic Autonomy,” the summit explored crucial mechanisms for financing reindustrialization, enhancing the resilience of supply chains, and transforming labor in an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. According to figures presented by the organizers, the Eurozone’s growth is projected to reach approximately 1.2% in 2026, with the potential for an additional 800 billion euros in private investments across the continent over the next decade.

Africa-Europe Partnership: Togo highlights investment appeal

During his address, President Gnassingbé emphasized the promising opportunities he believes an enhanced economic partnership between Africa and Europe could unlock. Driven by some of the globe’s most dynamic growth rates, the African continent is emerging as a prime destination for investment flows, the development of vital connectivity and logistics infrastructure, and the deepening of regional integration. This is a key area for the African economy.

Togo, he further elaborated, is committed to playing its full part in this momentum by leveraging its strategic position as a regional logistics platform. Lomé proudly showcases the robust performance of its Autonomous Port, the expansion of integrated industrial zones, and the comprehensive reforms undertaken to significantly improve its business climate. The overarching goal is to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI) and strengthen the crucial corridors linking the nation to its landlocked neighbors.

“A natural gateway to the West African hinterland, serving shared growth,” stated Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of Togo.

Regional Connectivity: Lomé’s diplomatic and economic push

This visit to Rome forms part of a busy week for Togolese economic diplomacy. Just three days prior, President Gnassingbé had presided over the opening of the inaugural African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition in Lomé. This series of initiatives clearly demonstrates the Togolese government’s unwavering commitment to making connectivity—spanning port, air, and digital infrastructure—a cornerstone of its national development strategy and a topic of interest for pan-African journalism.