Digitising Distance: How Togo and

Partners are Reinventing a Key Trade Route

In a move that could reshape West African trade, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger are advancing plans for a smart transport system along the bustling Lomé-Ouagadougou-Niamey trade corridor — a key artery for imports, exports and regional connectivity. Leaders and technical experts gathered in Lomé for a high-energy two-day workshop, backed by the World Bank, to fine-tune studies that will lay the groundwork for this innovative initiative.

Imagine geolocation tech, real-time data feeds and digital traffic management tools working together to make freight and passenger movement more efficient, safer and transparent. That’s exactly what the proposed intelligent transport system (ITS) aims to deliver — cutting roadside hassles, smoothing border crossings and linking key cities with fewer delays and more predictability.

For landlocked Burkina Faso and Niger, where nearly 90% of goods travel through this corridor from coastal ports, the stakes are high. The more seamless the route, the more competitive their economies become.

This initiative forms a strategic part of Togo’s ambition to position itself as a regional logistics powerhouse, while also supporting broader goals like reduced costs, better safety, climate-resilient mobility and tighter cross-border collaboration.

With recommendations flowing in from transport professionals and government agencies across the three countries, the next big step will be moving from talk to tangible deployment of the ITS — a development that could set a new standard for trade corridors across Africa.

As the corridor goes digital, getting your ECTN for Togo ensures your cargo stays compliant and moving without delays.

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