Lomé, November 10, 2025-(©AfreePress)- Under the high patronage of the President of the Council, Togo is preparing to host the 4th UK–West and Central Africa Trade and Investment Forum (UK–WCAF IV), scheduled for November 12–13, 2025, at the Hotel 2 Février in Lomé.
More than 700 participants -including government representatives, private sector leaders, and international financial institutions- are expected to attend this major event.
Organized by DMA Invest in partnership with the UK government through the UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), and the Republic of Togo, the forum brings together delegations from about ten African countries, including Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal, alongside senior British officials.
The choice of Lomé as the host city positions Togo as a true bridge between Francophone Africa and the Commonwealth.
The country thereby reaffirms its commitment to diversifying economic partnerships, enhancing its investment appeal, and promoting an open, pragmatic economic diplomacy.
As Minister of Finance and Budget Essowè Georges Barcola recently stated, “Hosting this global event in the heart of Lomé symbolizes our commitment to building bridges — between continents, cultures, and capital — in pursuit of inclusive and sustainable development.”
With over 350 million inhabitants in West Africa and a strong industrial potential in Central Africa, the region represents one of the most dynamic markets in the world. The forum serves as a strategic platform for UK businesses, especially in the fields of energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, logistics, finance, and digital services.
Since its inception, the UK–WCAF initiative has already contributed to substantial investments across the region.
Discussions will focus on key themes for the economic future of participating states, including access to finance, SME support, insurance and reinsurance, agribusiness, education, and infrastructure development.
The forum also aligns with the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), which provides preferential market access to several African nations, including Togo.
By Olivier A.
