Togo
Science Granting Council
Summary
The Ministry of Higher Education and Research leads Togo’s national work on higher education, scientific research and innovation. Its mandate includes the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of state policy in higher education and research. Togo joined the Science Granting Councils Initiative in 2025 as it seeks to strengthen its research and innovation system and develop the foundations for a national science and innovation fund.
Council details
The Ministry of Higher Education and Research is responsible for Togo’s national policy framework for higher education and research. Its role includes the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of state policy in these areas, as well as support for scientific research, research and development, and institutions that contribute to knowledge generation and innovation.
Strengthening Togo’s research and innovation system
Togo is working to strengthen its national research and innovation system and align it more closely with the country’s development priorities. The Ministry of Higher Education and Research has been reviewing and updating the National Research and Innovation Policy 2021-2030 to ensure that research and innovation contribute more effectively to national, regional, and international commitments.
The ministry has also been engaging development partners on the financing of research, innovation and technological development. In June 2026, discussions with the West African Economic and Monetary Union focused on collaboration to strengthen Togo’s research and innovation system, promote the use of research results, and support their contribution to socio-economic development.
A member of the SGCI since 2025
Togo officially joined the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) in 2025. SGCI announced Angola and Togo as new members at the All Partners Forum in Accra, Ghana, on 15 September 2025.
Togo first participated in SGCI activities as an observer during the 2024 annual meeting in Gaborone, Botswana. Togo submitted its application in November 2024 and was accepted by SGCI’s donor executive committee in July 2025.
Through its SGCI membership, Togo aims to learn from longer-standing member countries and strengthen research programmes in priority areas, including agriculture, health, energy, information and communication technologies, the digital economy, and the environment and climate change.
Developing research funding capacity
Togo is working to strengthen the structures needed to finance and manage research and innovation. SGCI reports that a feasibility study, supported by the European Union, has been conducted for a national science and innovation fund, although the proposal has not yet been adopted.
This work reflects Togo’s ambition to build a stronger national research funding ecosystem and to develop the institutional foundations needed to support researchers, innovators and research-performing organisations.
Building regional partnerships
Togo is also deepening regional engagement on science, technology and innovation. In May 2026, the ministry met with the Economic Community of West African States to discuss preparations for the third African Forum on Research and Innovation, scheduled for October 2027 in Accra, Ghana.
The ministry also supported the idea of national research and innovation forums in ECOWAS member states. These forums would help organise national innovation ecosystems, showcase local initiatives, and prepare researchers and innovators for regional and continental engagement.
Togo has also participated in broader regional research and innovation events. In October 2025, the country participated in the 15th Forum National de la Recherche Scientifique et de l’Innovation Technologique in Ouagadougou. At the forum, Togo highlighted the importance of a resilient innovation ecosystem, support for young researchers and inventors, technology transfer, intellectual property, public-private partnerships, and suitable financing mechanisms for research and innovation.
Supporting innovation and applied research
Recent initiatives in Togo include UNIPOD-Togo, launched in February 2025 at the University of Lomé with support from UNDP. The space is dedicated to innovation, applied research and entrepreneurship, and includes modern laboratories, an incubation space, and a technology transfer office for students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
UNIPOD-Togo reflects the country’s broader efforts to connect research, innovation and entrepreneurship and to create practical pathways to turn ideas into products, services and solutions.
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