Togo is increasingly becoming a strategic battleground for influence between France and Russia as both countries intensify efforts to strengthen ties with the West African nation.
Since gaining independence from France in 1960, Togo has maintained close diplomatic relations with Paris. However, the country has in recent years begun deepening engagement with Russia, which is seeking to expand its influence beyond the Sahel region into the Gulf of Guinea.
France’s concern over Moscow’s growing presence was evident in April when French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot visited Togo — the first visit by a French foreign minister to the country in 24 years. One of the key objectives of the trip was to counter Russia’s increasing rapprochement with Lome.
Paris is particularly uneasy over Togo’s continued cordial relations with neighbouring Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — all former French colonies now governed by military juntas that have cut ties with France and strengthened alliances with Russia.
According to Togolese political analyst and essayist, Madi Djabakate, France’s renewed attention toward Togo is largely an attempt to stop the steady decline of its influence in the region.
In 2025, Russia signed a military cooperation agreement with Togo under which Moscow deploys military instructors, aircraft and naval assets to support the country’s fight against jihadist attacks in the northern region.
The agreement could also create room for the Russian paramilitary Africa Corps, successor to the Wagner mercenary group, to extend its activities into mineral-rich Togo.
Beyond security interests, both France and Russia are eyeing the strategic Port of Lome, regarded as the deepest seaport in West Africa.
Russia’s ambassador to Togo and Benin disclosed in March that Moscow intends to use the port as a logistics hub for transporting Russian goods into Togo and landlocked Sahel countries.
As part of its broader strategy, Russia is also proposing the construction of a railway linking the port to northern Togo and the Burkina Faso border, alongside an oil pipeline along the same route.
Moscow has equally intensified its soft power efforts in the country.
Plans are underway for the appointment of a resident Russian ambassador, expansion of scholarship opportunities, the establishment of a Russian language centre and musical performances in Lome by artists from the Moscow Conservatory.
Djabakate noted that Russia has adopted a strong psychological and political approach in gaining influence across Africa, relying on anti-Western narratives, emphasis on sovereignty, rejection of Western democratic standards and quick security partnerships.
France, on the other hand, is leveraging its economic strength and development support to retain relevance in Togo.
Paris is currently funding the renovation of a university hospital in Togo equipped with modern facilities and supporting the creation of a centre of excellence focused on programming and artificial intelligence.
French officials insist such projects represent practical and concrete contributions to the country’s development.
Despite the growing rivalry, neither France nor Russia can claim clear success in addressing insecurity in the region.
Military governments in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, alongside their Russian partners, have struggled to halt the spread of extremist violence, just as French troops previously failed before being expelled from the Sahel states.
Meanwhile, Togo under President Faure Gnassingbe appears determined to maintain balanced relations with both powers.
The country recently sent the Speaker of its parliament to a France-backed African summit in Kenya aimed at rebuilding Paris’ influence on the continent.
At the same time, Gnassingbe is expected to attend a Russia-Africa summit scheduled to hold in Moscow in October, further underlining Togo’s effort to keep diplomatic ties open with both sides.