Faure Gnassingbé urges a shift beyond traditional cooperation models

President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé of Togo has been attending the FII Priority Europe summit since June 18, 2026. This high-level gathering focuses on financing reindustrialisation, strengthening supply chain resilience, and addressing labour transformations in the age of artificial intelligence.

Speaking at the international forum, the Togolese leader advocated for a fundamental rethinking of Europe-Africa relations. He called for a framework built on shared strategic interests, productive investment, and better management of economic interdependencies.

Moving past traditional aid and cooperation

During his address, Faure Gnassingbé noted that Europe and Africa now face similar challenges amid global geopolitical tensions and economic competition. He argued that conventional models based on aid or traditional cooperation no longer reflect today’s realities.

“It is no longer about talking about aid or classic cooperation, but about building a more balanced strategic relationship between Europe and Africa,” he stated.

The Togolese leader stressed that both continents must create partnerships capable of addressing new issues related to economic, energy, and technological sovereignty.

Strategic autonomy through managed interdependencies

Faure Gnassingbé also shared his vision of strategic autonomy. He sees it not as a retreat into isolation, but as a better organisation of economic relations between states. Recent crises, he said, have shown the importance of interdependencies—provided they are more secure, balanced, and predictable.

The President believes Europe and Africa possess natural complementarities that can foster the emergence of a new cooperation model.

Towards a win-win Europe-Africa partnership

The Togolese head of government reminded the audience that Europe is seeking reliable partners to secure supplies and boost competitiveness, while Africa needs capital, technology, and infrastructure to accelerate its economic transformation.

“These needs do not oppose each other. They can reinforce one another,” he affirmed.

For Faure Gnassingbé, the Euro-African partnership must now be conceived as a convergence of strategic interests benefiting both continents.

Togo aims to cement its status as a West African logistics hub

Turning to Togo’s national strategy, the President reaffirmed the country’s ambition to become a leading logistics, industrial, and commercial platform in West Africa. This vision rests on several key pillars:

• modernising the port of Lomé;
• developing regional transport corridors;
• facilitating trade;
• digitising procedures.

He said these infrastructures benefit not only Togo but also contribute to the economic resilience of the entire sub-region.

An Africa focused on production and value creation

Faure Gnassingbé emphasised Africa’s determination to move beyond its traditional role as a raw material supplier. The continent, he stressed, aspires to become a space for production, processing, and innovation capable of creating more value locally.

He also noted that a more industrialised and better-integrated Africa would present a significant opportunity for Europe and international investors.

Togo boosts its profile among global investors

Beyond strategic debates, Togo’s participation at the FII Priority Europe summit offers a chance to showcase the country’s logistical, industrial, and financial assets to global economic decision-makers. For Lomé, this international presence aligns with efforts to attract more investment, forge transformative partnerships, and strengthen its position as a regional economic hub.

The summit gathered several prominent figures, including Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of the Future Investment Initiative Institute, and Richard Attias, founder and executive committee chairman of the institution, alongside political leaders, investors, and heads of international financial institutions.