When Gozem, a Lomé-based super app, closed a $30m Series B round in February 2025, it briefly placed Togo among Africa’s top five startup funding destinations, alongside Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt. For a country of just eight million people, the moment was significant. It was not an anomaly, but rather the most visible sign of an ecosystem that has been quietly developing over the past decade.
Togo rarely dominates continental tech headlines, yet its mix of business-friendly reforms, a bilingual innovation environment and increasing government focus on the digital economy is drawing growing attention from investors and entrepreneurs across Francophone Africa.
The ecosystem, while still nascent, is becoming more structured. Data from Tracxn indicates that Togo is home to more than 300 registered startups, of which only a small proportion have secured formal external funding. Together, these companies have raised over $2bn across all rounds, although this total is heavily concentrated in a limited number of large deals. The market has attracted more than 60 investors, recorded dozens of funding rounds and seen a handful of acquisitions.
Gozem remains the standout success. Founded in 2018 as a motorcycle taxi platform, it has expanded into a multi-service super app spanning ride hailing, food delivery, e-commerce, vehicle financing and digital banking through Gozem Money. The company now operates in 16 cities across Togo, Benin, Gabon and Cameroon, serving more than one million users and working with around 40,000 driver partners. Its latest funding round drew support from MSC Group and Al Mada Ventures, reflecting growing confidence in Francophone West Africa as an integrated market.
Beyond Gozem, a small but diverse group of startups is emerging. Fintech firms such as Semoa Group are expanding across multiple African markets, while MiaPay is building one of the region’s larger e-commerce platforms. In green technology, Rôbalôtô is introducing connected waste management solutions in schools, and NUKUNU Solar is developing AI-driven mini grids for off-grid communities. The launch of the TogoTech collective in 2024, bringing together 15 local startups, signals a growing effort to build visibility and advocacy within the ecosystem.
At the centre of this development is a strengthening support infrastructure. Djanta Tech Hub, a 3,000 square metre campus in central Lomé developed by the government in partnership with Co-Creation Hub, is designed as a leading bilingual innovation centre. It hosts an incubator, a coding academy, a fabrication laboratory, co-working spaces and a dedicated programme supporting female entrepreneurs. Its connection to Co-Creation Hub, which also operates Nairobi’s iHub, provides valuable links to wider African innovation networks.
Alongside it, WoeLab continues to play an important grassroots role. As one of Africa’s earliest maker communities, it offers an open innovation space that has helped nurture local talent. Together, these institutions provide a foundation that many comparable countries in the region still lack.
Despite this progress, the investment landscape remains shallow. Development finance institutions dominate, with the European Union among the most active by portfolio and the International Finance Corporation supporting Gozem with a $10m commitment. Private venture capital is beginning to emerge, but remains limited in depth and breadth.
The most pressing challenge is the shortage of early-stage capital. Only a small fraction of startups have raised funding, leaving a significant gap at pre-seed and seed level. Plans by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Togo to launch a dedicated startup fund in 2026 are a positive step, but broader participation will be needed. Angel networks, co-investment structures and eventually pension fund involvement will be critical to building a sustainable funding pipeline.
Togo’s position within sub-Saharan Africa is defined by several structural advantages. It ranked first on the World Bank’s ease of starting a business indicator in 2020, ahead of Rwanda, highlighting its administrative efficiency. Its membership of UEMOA and the OHADA legal framework allows companies to expand across eight Francophone markets with relatively limited regulatory friction. However, it still lags behind regional leaders such as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, both of which have implemented Startup Acts that provide tax incentives and formal recognition for innovative firms.
Togo’s own startup legislation, approved by the Council of Ministers in 2023, has yet to be ratified. Until it is fully enacted and operational, the country risks losing momentum to its more proactive neighbours.
Further progress will depend on action across several fronts. Legislative clarity is essential, with the Startup Act needing full implementation, including certification mechanisms and fiscal incentives. Financially, the creation of a structured seed fund could help support the next generation of companies. Talent development also remains a priority, requiring expanded investment in digital skills training, higher education and engagement with the diaspora.
Equally important is the development of exit opportunities. With only a small number of acquisitions and limited public listings to date, the ecosystem lacks the liquidity signals that typically attract institutional investors. Stronger links to the regional BRVM stock exchange and increased merger and acquisition activity could help address this gap.
Togo already possesses many of the ingredients needed for a credible technology hub. Government commitment, a high-quality innovation campus, a successful flagship startup and a strategic geographic position all work in its favour. The next phase will depend on converting these strengths into a deeper, more mature ecosystem capable of supporting a broader pipeline of scalable companies.