Despite ongoing reforms and infrastructure upgrades across West Africa, the Port of Lomé in Togo has emerged as a critical maritime hub, drawing intense interest from global powers like the United States and Russia.
The surge in trade volume between Asia and West Africa has transformed Lomé into a regional container powerhouse, prompting major ocean carriers like MSC to deploy ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), boosting liner connectivity for ports across the region.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Lomé, led by Chargé d’Affaires Richard C. Michaels, toured the port and met with Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) management to explore commercial opportunities for American businesses.
The U.S. has pledged to expand its African market access through Lomé, citing its advanced deep-water capabilities, cutting-edge equipment, and annual throughput exceeding 30 million tons.
“Ongoing infrastructure expansion, including a dry-port and industrial zone, positions Lomé as a growing gateway for U.S. trade,” the embassy noted.
This follows a recent meeting in Washington between U.S. President Donald Trump and leaders from West African nations—Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal—focused on trade amid reduced U.S. aid to the continent.
Meanwhile, Russia has solidified its strategic foothold by ratifying a military cooperation agreement with Togo, signed earlier this year.
The deal includes joint military exercises, training exchanges, weapons support, and collaboration on hydrography, navigation, and piracy prevention.
Vladimir Gruzdev, a member of Russia’s Government Commission on Legislative Activity, highlighted Togo’s strategic value, noting, “The busiest seaport in West Africa is located on its territory.”
Observers suggest this agreement grants Russia unfettered access to Lomé, with provisions for Russian military ship visits.
The competition for Lomé comes as Nigeria’s shipping industry struggles. The Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), led by Chairman Boma Alabi, has warned that high cargo operation costs are driving business to neighboring ports like Lomé and Angola, with lost cargo often ending up in Nigerian markets.
Alabi also criticized proposed Free On Board (FOB) charges at Nigerian ports, arguing they would further stifle trade and economic growth.
Related reports from Dangote indicate Africa loses $90 billion annually to imported substandard fuel, underscoring the economic stakes in regional port efficiency.
As Lomé’s strategic importance grows, the rivalry between the U.S. and Russia, coupled with local challenges in Nigeria, signals a new chapter in West Africa’s maritime landscape, with implications for trade, security, and regional development.
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