Togo’s maritime challenges: Why security remains a major issue

This report by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the maritime security landscape in Togo as of August 2016. It details the country's progress in reducing piracy since 2012, the challenges facing its fisheries sector and port infrastructure, and the structural reforms implemented to coordinate state action at sea. The document also discusses the significance of the African Union's Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security, Safety and Development scheduled to be hosted in Lomé.

• Piracy attacks in Togo decreased significantly between 2011 and 2015. After recording 15 attacks in 2012, the country recorded no acts of piracy in 2015, despite 31 attacks occurring across the wider Gulf of Guinea.
• Togo's fisheries sector suffers from a production deficit, producing only 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes annually against a required 70,000 tonnes. This is attributed to overfishing, poor techniques, and a narrow continental shelf of 23 km that prevents the 'upwelling' phenomenon seen in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
• The international flag of free registry created by Togo in 2008 has led to international criticism from the EU and IMO for encouraging illicit, unreported and unregulated fishing. The registry is managed by a Greek company in Athens, meaning Togo lacks control over the 647 vessels flying its flag as of 2015, and these ships provide no jobs for Togolese seamen.
• The Autonomous Port of Lomé experienced a dip in goods traffic in 2012, falling from 8.2 million tonnes to 7.7 million tonnes, due to shipping lines avoiding the area because of piracy. Traffic recovered by 2014, reaching 9.28 million tonnes, with over 40% of transit traffic coming from Burkina Faso.
• Togo established the National Organisation for State Action at Sea (NOSAS) via Decree N° 2014-113 on 30 April 2014 to coordinate maritime interests. However, the report notes a lack of clarity in the hierarchy between the maritime prefect, the advisor for the sea, and the chief of navy staff.
• Small-scale fishermen in Togo face economic and legal hardships because oil tankers anchoring in the outer waters of the port of Lomé attract fish. This leads to fishermen being mistaken for pirates by ship captains, resulting in arrests and fines of 25,000 CFA francs (approximately US$50) imposed by the Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DMA).

APA

Blédé, B., & Diouf, A. (2016). Togo’s maritime challenges: Why security remains a major issue. Institute for Security Studies. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/WAR18_ENG.pdf

Chicago

Blédé, Barthélémy, and André Diouf. Togo’s maritime challenges: Why security remains a major issue. Institute for Security Studies, 2016. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/WAR18_ENG.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Blédé |first1=Barthélémy |last2=Diouf |first2=André |title=Togo’s maritime challenges: Why security remains a major issue |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=August 2016 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/WAR18_ENG.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{bld2016togos, author = {Blédé, Barthélémy and Diouf, André}, title = {{Togo’s maritime challenges: Why security remains a major issue}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2016}, month = aug, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/WAR18_ENG.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }