PRESSETAHITI.COM
Togolese newspapers and news media from Lomé
In Togo, news is followed in French through the state daily Togo-Presse, private papers such as Liberté, sites like Icilome and Togo First, the ATOP agency and the public broadcaster TVT, most of them easy to access online from abroad.
From colonial origins to Togo-Presse
Togo had newspapers as early as the German period and later under French mandate. After independence in 1960, Togo-Presse became the state's reference daily. Pluralism took hold in the early 1990s, when many private titles appeared in Lomé.
Which newspapers to read in Lomé?
Togo-Presse, published by the state, covers government activity and official announcements. The private daily Liberté takes a more critical tone towards those in power. Between these two poles, many Lomé weeklies mix investigations, political columns and social affairs.
French and the national languages
French is the language of Togo's print press. Ewe, spoken in the south, and Kabiye, in the north, are the two national languages and dominate the airwaves, where private and community radio stations run a growing number of phone-in programmes.
Kara, Sokodé, Dapaong: regional news
Outside Lomé, news travels mainly by radio: Radio Kara, the public station in the north, and local stations in Sokodé, Atakpamé, Kpalimé or Dapaong. Printed papers circulate little in these towns, where the mobile phone has taken over as the main source.
Icilome, Togo First and digital media
Sites such as Icilome and Togoweb publish political and social news around the clock, often shared on Facebook and WhatsApp. Togo First specialises in business, in French and English, which makes it a natural entry point for foreign investors.
The role of ATOP and the official portal
The Togolese Press Agency, ATOP, distributes official dispatches on cabinet meetings, visits and decrees. The government portal Republicoftogo adds to this public communication; it is useful for texts but should be read as an institutional source.
TVT and Radio Lomé, the public service
Togolese Television, TVT, and Radio Lomé make up the national public broadcaster, with news bulletins in French and the national languages. Part of the programming is streamed live online, so you can follow it from Paris or Brussels.
The Togolese diaspora and its sites
A large Togolese diaspora lives in France, Germany and the United States. It follows events on national sites and social media, and also reads newspapers from neighbouring Ghana or Benin, which often cover Togolese affairs closely.
Lomé port, phosphates and the Sparrow Hawks
Togo First tracks the autonomous port of Lomé, phosphates, the free zone and the business climate. In sport, football is king: the Sparrow Hawks, the national team, and the Togolese league fill the sports sections of news sites.
Press freedom and regulation
The High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication, HAAC, regulates the media and can suspend a title. The 2024 constitutional reform, which moved the country towards a parliamentary system, drew sharply contrasting coverage depending on the newspaper.
Free Togolese sites and checking sources
Most Togolese sites are free, and Togo-Presse offers a digital edition. To cross-check, compare a pro-government outlet, a critical paper and a regional source from West African and continental news media, checking dates and bylines each time.
Private radio, the heart of public debate
Since the 1990s, dozens of private radio stations have broadcast in Lomé and the provinces, including faith-based stations. Their morning press reviews summarise the day's papers in Ewe or Kabiye, and many also stream their programmes online.
How to follow Togo from abroad
- Read Togo-Presse each morning for the official version, then a private title such as Liberté for a more critical view.
- Check ATOP dispatches to confirm cabinet decisions and official appointments.
- Follow Togo First if you are interested in Lomé port, phosphates or investment in Togo.
- Watch TVT or listen to Radio Lomé live to hear bulletins in French and the national languages.
- Turn on alerts from Icilome or the pages of Togolese outlets for breaking news.
- Before sharing, check the date and byline, because old articles often resurface on WhatsApp.
Access and subscriptions for Togolese media
| Media type | Access | Note |
|---|---|---|
| News sites (Icilome, Togoweb) | Free | Funded by advertising |
| Togo-Presse digital edition | Paid subscription, price varies | Print edition sold in Lomé |
| Private print papers | Single-copy sales | Distributed mainly in the capital |
| TVT and Radio Lomé | Free live stream | Online streams subject to availability |
| ATOP agency | Free | Institutional dispatches |
| Togo First | Mostly free | Business content in French and English |
Key facts about the press in Togo
- Print press language: French; national languages: Ewe and Kabiye
- News agency: ATOP, Togolese Press Agency
- Public broadcasting: TVT (Togolese Television), Radio Lomé and Radio Kara
- Reference state daily: Togo-Presse; business title: Togo First
- Regulator: HAAC, High Authority for Broadcasting and Communication
- Time zone: GMT, UTC+0 all year; currency: CFA franc (XOF)
Mistakes to avoid when reading Togolese media
- Treating Togo-Presse or the Republicoftogo portal as neutral sources, when they relay the communication of the Togolese state.
- Trusting a fake site that borrows the name of a Lomé newspaper with a slightly altered address.
- Sharing an old article about protests in Lomé as if it described what is happening today.
- Taking a satirical column or an opinion piece from a weekly paper for factual reporting.
- Using paywall-bypass sites to read a paid edition, as they often carry malware.
Common questions about Togo's newspapers
What is Togo's main daily newspaper?
Togo-Presse, founded around independence, is the reference state daily, published by the government. The private daily Liberté is the other most cited title. Reading both together is useful, because their editorial lines on government action differ markedly.
Where can I find Togolese business news?
Togo First is the most specialised site, with articles on Lomé port, phosphates, agriculture and business climate reforms. It publishes in French and English, which makes it convenient for an international readership following the country.
Do Togolese media publish in Ewe or Kabiye?
The print press remains almost entirely in French. Public and private radio stations, however, broadcast widely in Ewe and Kabiye, including press reviews and debates, which reaches listeners in rural areas and in the north of Togo.
Can I watch TVT from abroad?
Yes, Togolese Television offers live programmes and clips online and on its social media accounts. Stream availability can vary, and since Togo runs on GMT, programme times are easy to convert from Europe.