Kpomé, August 3, 2026 — Addressing the persistent challenge of youth employment in Togo, authorities are now championing a pragmatic strategy: transforming trained individuals into thriving rural entrepreneurs. In Kpomé, within the Maritime region, fifty young people have recently achieved a significant milestone, receiving essential equipment to immediately launch their agricultural and livestock ventures.
The official handover of this vital equipment, held on July 20 under the guidance of Dotsè Medjina, Secretary-General of the Maritime Regional Governorate and representative of the Governor, signifies the successful conclusion of a rigorous three-month professional training program. This intensive course specifically focused on high-potential trades within the agropastoral sector.
Beyond training: the commitment to immediate equipment provision
A common stumbling block for many professional integration programs often emerges post-training. Numerous young individuals acquire valuable skills but then lack the crucial capital required to initiate their own businesses.
In Kpomé, however, this traditional approach has been innovatively reversed. Following their comprehensive training, beneficiaries are now equipped with a complete startup kit. This includes essential tools such as motocultivators, motor pumps, sprayers, quality seeds, fertilizers, electronic scales, fencing rolls, advanced irrigation and water storage systems, wheelbarrows, and various construction materials.
The primary aim is to empower these emerging producers to launch their operations without delay, bypassing the often-protracted search for additional funding.
The agropastoral sector: a key driver for rural job creation
The fifty beneficiaries have received specialized training across several sectors deemed vital for rural development in Togo. The program specifically encompasses market gardening, poultry farming, the raising of small ruminants, and pig production.
By providing these young people with tailored equipment, public authorities aim not only to foster their financial independence but also to bolster local production and invigorate rural economies across the region.
Strategic investment: emphasizing diligence and accountability
During the ceremony, Dotsè Medjina underscored the significant responsibility accompanying this endowment. He urged beneficiaries to utilize the equipment diligently to ensure the profitability and long-term sustainability of their new ventures.
Furthermore, he encouraged the young entrepreneurs to fully embrace their roles and emerge as proactive contributors to the economic growth of their respective communities.
A national strategy for Togolese food sovereignty
This impactful initiative is an integral part of the ‘Professional Training and Support for Professional Integration’ project, originally launched in 2025 by the National Agency for Employment (ANPE) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources, and Food Sovereignty.
Through this comprehensive program, Togo aims to move beyond purely theoretical training, establishing an employment policy more acutely focused on fostering income-generating activities. The strategic emphasis on the agropastoral sector clearly reflects this direction, with the overarching ambition to cultivate a new generation of young producers. These individuals are expected to transform their acquired skills into sustainable businesses, thereby making a lasting contribution to the nation’s food sovereignty.
