Faure gnassingbé champions a new europe-africa strategic partnership
President of the Council, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, has been a key participant at the FII PRIORITY Europe summit, which commenced on June 18, 2026. This high-level gathering focuses on critical global issues, including financing for reindustrialization, enhancing the resilience of supply chains, and navigating the evolving landscape of work in the age of artificial intelligence.
Addressing this influential international platform, the Togolese leader passionately advocated for a fundamental redefinition of relations between Europe and Africa. His vision centers on fostering shared strategic interests, promoting productive investment, and achieving better control over economic interdependencies.
Faure Gnassingbé urges moving beyond conventional cooperation models
During his address, President Gnassingbé highlighted that Europe and Africa now face increasingly similar challenges within a global environment marked by persistent geopolitical tensions and intense economic competition.
He contended that traditional approaches, often based on aid or conventional cooperation, are no longer adequate to address contemporary realities.
“The discourse must shift from classic aid or cooperation to constructing a more equitable strategic relationship between Europe and Africa,” he asserted.
The Togolese leader believes that both continents must forge partnerships capable of confronting new challenges related to economic, energy, and technological sovereignty, crucial aspects of modern governance Africa.
Strategic autonomy built on well-managed interdependencies
Faure Gnassingbé also articulated his perspective on strategic autonomy, clarifying that he views it not as a retreat into isolation, but rather as a more effective structuring of economic relationships between nations.
He pointed out that recent global crises have underscored the vital importance of interdependencies, provided they are more secure, balanced, and predictable.
The President of the Council therefore concludes that Europe and Africa possess natural complementarities that can pave the way for an innovative model of cooperation, strengthening African politics on the global stage.
Europe-Africa: forging a win-win partnership
The head of the Togolese government reiterated that Europe seeks reliable partners to secure its supplies and enhance its competitiveness. Simultaneously, Africa requires capital, technology, and robust infrastructure to accelerate its economic transformation.
“These needs are not contradictory; in fact, they can mutually reinforce each other,” he affirmed.
For Faure Gnassingbé, the future Euro-African partnership must be conceptualized as a convergence of strategic interests, yielding benefits for both continents.
Togo aims to solidify its status as a West African logistics hub
Turning to Togo’s national strategy, the President of the Council reaffirmed the nation’s ambitious goal of becoming a leading logistics, industrial, and commercial platform in West Africa.
This forward-looking vision is underpinned by several key initiatives, including:
- the ongoing modernization of the port of Lomé;
- the strategic development of regional corridors;
- proactive measures for trade facilitation;
- the comprehensive digitalization of procedures.
He emphasized that these infrastructural advancements do not solely benefit Togo but also contribute significantly to the economic resilience of the entire sub-region.
An Africa focused on production and value creation
Faure Gnassingbé stressed Africa’s firm resolve to move beyond its traditional role as merely a supplier of raw materials.
The continent, he highlighted, aspires to evolve into a dynamic hub for production, transformation, and innovation, capable of generating substantial local value.
He further suggested that a more industrialized and integrated Africa would present significant opportunities for Europe and for international investors alike.
Togo boosts its profile among international investors
Beyond the strategic discussions, Togo’s participation in the FII PRIORITY Europe summit serves as a prime opportunity to showcase the country’s logistical, industrial, and financial advantages to global economic decision-makers.
For Lomé, this international presence aligns with its objective to attract greater investment, forge impactful partnerships, and solidify its position as a regional economic hub.
The summit brought together numerous prominent figures, including Yasir bin Othman Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Future Investment Initiative Institute, and Richard Attias, the institution’s Founder and Executive Committee Chairman, alongside various political leaders, investors, and heads of international financial institutions.
