AGP Executive Report

Togo’s Nuclear Push: President Faure Gnassingbé attended a World Nuclear Symposium in London to explore nuclear energy options, stressing that Togo’s near-term goal is partnerships and capacity-building rather than rushing into a plant. AI for Environment & Agriculture: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI projects, including tools using satellite imagery for agriculture, environment, and local languages. Community Conservation Under Threat: The Weto Platform warns of new borrow pits and river works in the Akwapim-Togo Mountain Range, citing weak consultation and risks to slopes, roads, water quality, and aquatic life. Girls’ School Kits: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for girls under SWEDD+, expanding to 150,000+ beneficiaries across 1,500+ localities. Cartography & Climate Justice Angle: A UN vote backed by Togo and the African Union promotes equal-area map projections (Equal Earth) to correct how Africa is represented—framed as “cognitive justice” with real-world impacts on education and media.

Security & Environment Spillover: Drones hit a Russia-linked, US/EU-sanctioned cargo vessel off Africa’s coast, raising fears that the Ukraine war’s logistics and coastal risks could extend into African waters. Climate Data & Tech: Senegal is moving ahead with homegrown nanosatellite work to collect environmental and climate data, part of a wider African push for space capability. Community Conservation Under Threat: Ghana’s Weto Platform warns that borrow pits, river excavation and related impacts around the Akwapim-Togo Mountain Range are destabilising slopes, increasing mud and turbidity, and threatening water, farms and aquatic life. Togo Energy Planning: President Faure Gnassingbé says Togo is exploring nuclear energy options at a London symposium, focusing on partnerships and energy security rather than immediate plant construction. AI for Agriculture & Environment: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to build public-sector AI tools using satellite imagery, including for agriculture and environmental applications. Water Stress: Nairobi faces a major planned shutdown of the Sasumua Water Treatment Plant, affecting hospitals, schools and parts of the city. Education & Risk: A report highlights deteriorating public school conditions in Togo, arguing map symbolism can’t replace urgent repairs and student safety. Cartography & Representation: The UN General Assembly adopted Togo-led “Correct the Map” support for equal-area projections, aiming to reduce distortions that affect how Africa is taught and represented.

UN & Maps for “True Size”: The UN General Assembly backed a Togo-led resolution to move schools, media and digital platforms toward equal-area projections like Equal Earth, voting 164–1 (with the US against) to reduce Mercator distortions that make Africa look smaller. Air Quality & Public Health: On UN Clean Air for Blue Skies Day, a new AfriCAN brief says more than 20 African countries still miss WHO air-pollution limits, with West Africa seeing many days of unsafe PM2.5 linked to Saharan dust plus everyday emissions. Energy & Climate Tech: Togo’s leaders used a London nuclear symposium to push for partnerships and energy security planning, while Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to apply AI to public-sector work including agriculture, environment and local languages. Wildlife Conservation: A tagged osprey shot in Ghana highlights risks to migratory raptors across West Africa and calls for better tracking and cross-border cooperation. Local Environment & Data: Togo’s school kit push for girls and Lomé’s broader public-service digital push sit alongside the country’s growing focus on practical, measurable development.

Air Quality Watch: A new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries still miss even the WHO’s loosest air pollution limits, with West Africa seeing many days in 2025 above safe PM2.5 levels—fueling calls for better monitoring and action. Clean Air Day: On the UN’s International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, the same report highlights how dust, traffic, cooking smoke and waste burning keep damaging public health across the region. Nuclear Energy Options: President Faure Gnassingbé attended a World Nuclear Symposium in London, pushing Togo’s focus on studying nuclear as a long-term energy security option while building partnerships and capacity. AI for Environment & Public Services: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to drive public-sector AI, including tools using satellite imagery for agriculture, environment and local languages. UN Map Shift (Cognitive Justice): The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, urging use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth so Africa isn’t visually minimized—an issue framed as truth and power, not just cartography. Togo Education Reality Check: A commentary questions the gap between map diplomacy and deteriorating school infrastructure, spotlighting unsafe public school conditions. Wildlife Conservation: A tagged osprey shot in Ghana is cited as a warning for migratory raptors, with calls for better tracking across West Africa’s flyways.

Air Quality: A new Africa Air Quality Brief warns that many West African countries, including Togo, have recorded long stretches of unsafe PM2.5 levels, with dust, traffic, cooking smoke and waste burning all playing a role—pushing the need for better monitoring and cleaner air action. Energy & Climate: Togo is exploring nuclear energy options at a London summit, with President Faure Gnassingbé stressing energy security and emissions cuts while positioning nuclear as a long-term partnership rather than an immediate build. Digital Environment Tools: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead to build public-sector AI using satellite imagery, including work aimed at agriculture, environment and local languages—an effort that could strengthen climate and land-use decision-making. Global Map Policy: The UN General Assembly adopted a Togo-led resolution to promote more accurate equal-area world maps (Equal Earth), a move supporters frame as “cognitive justice” that can reshape how Africa is taught and represented. Regional Environment Data: Senegal’s space push includes a nanosatellite designed to collect environmental and climate data, showing how West Africa is using space tech to track risks. Governance & Pollution Risk: Liberia’s petroleum regulator joined AFRIPERF, aiming to strengthen safety and environmental protection standards as offshore oil and gas activity grows.

AI for Environment & Agriculture: Togo AI Lab is recruiting a technical lead in Lomé to oversee public-sector AI projects, including machine-learning and generative AI tools using satellite imagery for sectors like agriculture, health, education and the environment, with a parallel push to support local languages. Clean Energy Debate: Togo’s Council of Ministers president told a nuclear symposium in London that Africa should be treated as a partner and market for nuclear technology, arguing it can help strengthen energy security while cutting emissions. Cartography & Climate-Linked Education: The UN General Assembly adopted a Togo-led resolution to promote equal-area map projections in schools, media and digital platforms, backing “Correct the Map” so Africa is shown closer to its true size than on Mercator. Girls’ Education & Sustainability: Togo launched its second school kit campaign for girls under SWEDD+, expanding to 150,000+ beneficiaries across 1,500+ localities, aiming to keep vulnerable girls in primary to secondary education. Air Pollution Watch: A new Africa Air Quality Brief warns that more than 20 African countries still miss WHO air-pollution guidelines, with West Africa seeing many days above safe PM2.5 levels.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164–1 (with six abstentions) to encourage use of the Equal Earth equal-area projection, aiming to reduce Mercator distortions that have made Africa look smaller and to support “cognitive justice” in education and public information. Air Quality Warning: On the UN Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries still miss WHO PM2.5 limits, with West Africa seeing many days above the daily guideline in 2025—driven by Saharan dust plus everyday pollution sources. Agroecology in Action: ECOWAS launched a €20m regional agroecological innovation project in Lomé to scale climate- and environment-smart farming practices, with Togo involved in multiple projects supporting farmers’ groups, NGOs and researchers. Raptors Across Borders: Conservationists highlight the risks to West Africa’s migratory raptors after a tagged osprey was shot in Ghana, calling for better tracking and cooperation across the flyway. Petroleum Oversight: Liberia’s regulator (LPRA) joined the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF) to strengthen safety and environmental protection as offshore oil and gas activity expands.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” push, voting 164–1 (with six abstentions) to encourage use of equal-area projections like Equal Earth so Africa’s relative size isn’t distorted like on Mercator. Air Quality & Health: On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a new Africa Air Quality Brief warns that over 20 African countries still miss WHO air pollution limits, with West Africa seeing many days above safe PM2.5 levels in 2025. Agroecology for Climate-Smart Farming: ECOWAS launched a €20m West Africa Agroecological Innovation Promotion Project in Lomé to scale farming practices adapted to regional climate and environmental challenges. Raptors in Peril: Conservationists highlight the risks migratory raptors face across West Africa, after an osprey tagged in Scotland was shot in Ghana, underscoring the need for flyway-wide protection. Petroleum Governance: Liberia’s regulator (LPRA) joined the African Petroleum Regulators Forum to strengthen safety and environmental oversight as the country expands its oil and gas program. Togo Education Reality Check: A commentary links Togo’s map diplomacy to urgent needs on the ground, pointing to crumbling school infrastructure despite big symbolic moves.

UN Map Shift for Africa’s True Size: The UN General Assembly backed a Togo-led push to use more accurate equal-area world maps (Equal Earth), voting 164–1 with six abstentions—an effort framed as “cognitive justice” to correct long-running Mercator distortions that make Africa look smaller. Air Pollution Watch: On International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries still miss WHO PM2.5 limits, with West Africa seeing many days above the daily guideline—fueling calls for better monitoring and action. Agroecology in Lomé: ECOWAS launched a €20m regional agroecological innovation project in Lomé to scale climate-adapted farming practices, with Togo involved in multiple funded projects. Raptors Across Borders: Conservationists highlight the risks migratory raptors face in West Africa, after an osprey tagged in Scotland was shot in Ghana—urging stronger tracking and cooperation along flyways. Togo School Safety Gap: A sharp critique links map “diplomacy” to crumbling public school infrastructure, arguing symbolism can’t replace urgent repairs and investment. West Africa Agroecology Innovation: ECOWAS’ €20m PIA-AO project aims to scale agroecological solutions for family farms facing climate and environmental pressures.

UN Climate & Health: A new Africa Air Quality Brief says more than 20 African countries still miss WHO air pollution limits, and in 2025 parts of West Africa were above the daily PM2.5 guideline for over 120 days—driven largely by Saharan dust plus everyday pollution sources. UN Cartography for Equity (Togo-led): The UN General Assembly backed a Togo-sponsored push to promote the Equal Earth equal-area map projection, with 164 votes in favour; the goal is to correct long-running Mercator distortions that make Africa look smaller, and to encourage schools and media to use more accurate projections. Agroecology in the Region: ECOWAS launched a €20m Lomé-based West Africa Agroecological Innovation Promotion Project (PIA-AO) to scale climate- and environment-adapted farming practices, with Togo involved in multiple projects. Togo Education & Maps: Togo says it will revise school geography materials by year-end to reflect the UN-backed Equal Earth approach. Oil & Environment Governance (Liberia): Liberia’s petroleum regulator joined AFRIPERF, aiming to strengthen safety and environmental standards as the country expands its offshore oil and gas oversight.

Health & Economy: The UN Economic Commission for Africa is helping governments, including Togo, measure how health spending boosts jobs, household stability, and business activity—highlighting that out-of-pocket costs still push millions into poverty. Petroleum Governance: Liberia’s Petroleum Regulator Authority was inducted into the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF), a move aimed at stronger safety and environmental oversight as offshore oil and gas expands. UN Maps & Education: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map,” endorsing the Equal Earth projection to better reflect Africa’s true relative size; Togo says it will update school geography books. Agroecology in Lomé: ECOWAS launched a €20m regional agroecology innovation push in Lomé to scale climate-adapted farming practices, with Togo involved in multiple projects. Fuel Integrity in Togo: Togo begins nationwide inspections under its automated petroleum product marking system from October 1 to curb fraud and smuggling while protecting tax revenue. Quality for SMEs: Togo’s quality authority is running Q-Boost to help businesses adopt ISO 9001-style quality management for better market access.

Agroecology in Lomé: ECOWAS launched the €20 million West Africa Agroecological Innovation Promotion Project (PIA-AO) in Lomé on Sept. 4, with funding from AFD and the EU, aiming to scale climate-smart farming practices and support local organizations and farmers’ groups across the region. Fuel integrity drive: Togo will start nationwide inspections under its Automated Marking System (SAM) on Oct. 1 to curb fuel fraud and smuggling, using chemical tracers and mobile lab testing across depots, stations and tankers. Quality for SMEs: HAUQE’s Q-Boost (ISO 9001) programme met in Lomé to help businesses build quality management systems and improve market access, with support delivered through GIZ and the AfPQ initiative. Agroforestry and mechanization: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa says mechanization must be organized via service centers for small farms, and stresses better monitoring of reforestation and reforms to improve women farmers’ land, finance and tech access. UN map shift with local impact: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-sponsored “Correct the Map,” promoting Equal Earth equal-area projections over Mercator; Togo says it will update school geography books to reflect the change. Women’s digital finance: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, combining mobile financial products with training in Togo and other countries.

UN Map Update: The UN General Assembly backed a new “Equal Earth” world map to replace Mercator’s distortions, with Togo leading the “Correct the Map” push; the vote was 164-1 (the US opposed) and the resolution urges schools and governments to use equal-area maps where true size matters. Fuel Integrity & Pricing: Togo plans nationwide inspections under its petroleum product marking system from October 1, using chemical tracers to curb fraud and smuggling while protecting tax revenue; separate reporting also notes local petrol holding a price edge over imports. Forest & Climate-Smart Farming: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa highlights what’s needed for mechanization and forest restoration to actually help small farmers, stressing service centers, monitoring, and better access for women farmers. Waste & Ocean Protection: Fiji’s “Paddle for Hope” campaign reached Tagage Village, pushing communities to cut single-use plastics and improve recycling and waste management. Quality for SMEs: Togo’s HAUQE reviewed its Q-Boost program to help businesses adopt ISO 9001-style quality systems and improve market access. Women’s Digital Finance: AXIAN and AfDB launched a digital finance programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, combining mobile money tools with training in digital skills and financial literacy.

UN Map Vote on Africa’s True Size: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution (164-1) urging schools and governments to use equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of Mercator, saying maps shape perceptions; Togo’s Foreign Minister Robert Dussey says Togo will be the first to update its geography books. Fuel Integrity in Togo: Togo will start nationwide inspections of its petroleum product automated marking system from October 1 to curb fuel fraud and smuggling, with samples tested via mobile labs. Quality Boost for SMEs: Lomé’s HAUQE reviewed its Q-Boost program (ISO 9001-focused) to help micro, small and medium businesses improve quality management and certification for better market access. Forest Restoration for Climate Resilience: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa discusses how mechanization, reforestation monitoring, and reforms are needed to improve women farmers’ access to land, finance and technology. Women’s Digital Finance: AXIAN and AfDB launched a program for 34,000 women-led businesses across five countries, combining digital finance products with training in financial literacy and digital skills. Drug Cartel Threat in Forests: NDLEA warns of Mexican-linked networks trying to set up meth labs in forest areas of Ogun and Oyo, with arrests reported after operations. Plastic Reduction Push in Fiji: “Paddle for Hope” reached Tagage Village, promoting recycling and cutting single-use plastics to protect coastal waters.

UN Map Shift for Africa: Togo-backed UN General Assembly resolution “Correct the Map” won 164 votes to 1 (US opposed) to promote the Equal Earth projection over Mercator, aiming to stop Africa being visually minimized in education and official communications. Fuel Integrity in Togo: From October 1, Togo will expand nationwide inspections under its petroleum product automated marking system to curb fuel fraud and smuggling, using chemical tracers and mobile lab testing. Quality for SMEs: Lomé hosted HAUQE’s Q-Boost meeting, supporting businesses to adopt ISO 9001-style quality management systems to improve market access and traceability. Forest Restoration & Agroforestry: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa discusses what makes mechanization and reforestation investments work for small farmers, including monitoring and better access to land, finance, and technology for women. Circular Economy Push: The Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum in Yokohama expanded the Asian Circular Cities Declaration to 43 signatory cities and launched an action plan, with Togo-linked participation noted. Ocean Plastic Action (Fiji): Paddle for Hope continues around Viti Levu, pairing community outreach with recycling and waste-management messaging to cut single-use plastics. Women’s Digital Finance (Africa): AXIAN and AfDB launched a programme for 34,000 women-led businesses, combining digital lending with training across multiple countries including Togo.

UN Cartography Shift: Togo-backed UN General Assembly resolution passed 164-1 to promote the Equal Earth projection over Mercator, aiming to show Africa’s true relative size in schools and official communications, with the US voting against. Fuel Integrity in Togo: From October 1, nationwide inspections will test for chemical tracers under Togo’s Automated Marking System to curb fuel fraud and smuggling. Agroforestry & Climate Resilience: FAO Togo’s Dr. Oyétoundé Djiwa discusses what must be in place for mechanization and forest restoration to actually help small farmers, including better access for women. Circular Economy Push: ICLEI Japan’s Asia-Pacific Circular Cities Forum expanded the Asian Circular Cities Declaration to 43 cities and launched an action plan, with Togo-linked participation highlighted. Plastic Reduction at Community Level: “Paddle for Hope” reached Tagage Village in Fiji to fight single-use plastics through local recycling and waste-management messaging. Quality for SMEs: Togo’s HAUQE reviewed its Q-Boost program to help businesses adopt ISO 9001-style quality systems for better market access.