Essentials
- City
- Lomé, Maritime Region, Togo
- Population
- Approx. 1,900,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 15-25 Mbps (Fiber available in hubs up to 100 Mbps via Canalbox/TogoCom)
- Currency & Banking
- West African CFA franc (XOF); 1 USD ≈ 610 XOF, 1 EUR = 655.95 XOF (fixed peg)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; stick to bottled brands like Voltic or BB (approx. 500 XOF per 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / E sockets
- SIM Card
- TogoCom and Moov Africa; 10GB data approx. 10,000 XOF ($16)
- Banking for Expats
- Ecobank (Headquarters in Lomé), Orabank, and Société Générale; ATMs widely available but cash-heavy society
- Accommodation
- Modern serviced apartments in Cité OUA or villas in Nyékonakpoé
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate; mobile money (T-Money/Flooz) is huge, cards only in high-end hotels/supermarkets
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, booking.com, and local agencies like Agence Immobilière de Lomé
- Budget Accommodation
- Hotel Onomo (mid-range hub) or Alice Hotel (approx. 25,000 XOF/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Kodjoviakopé (beachfront near Ghana border) or city center near Grand Marché
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Cité OUA (secure, upscale) or Nyékonakpoé (vibrant, cafe-dense)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Woelab (01 BP 1032 Lomé) - pioneers in tech; or Energy Generation Hub
- Best Cafe for Work
- Moka Coffee Shop ($5-10 for lunch/coffee) or Les Galeries (Boulevard du 13 Janvier)
- Networking Events
- Tech gatherings at Woelab or events hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce (CCIF Togo)
- Social Events for Expats
- Meetups at Institut Français du Togo or the 'Lomé Expats' Facebook group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Gozem (super app for motorcycle taxis, cars, and delivery)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Local rentals via Gozem or private arrangements at Hotel de la Paix
- Best Beach Nearby
- Aneho Beach (45 mins away) or Pure Beach Club (private, Avepozo)
- Top Regional Airline
- ASKY Airlines (Hubbed in Lomé)
- Top International Airline
- Ethiopian Airlines, Air France, Brussels Airlines
- Highway Access
- N1 (Northbound to Burkina Faso) and the International Coastal Highway (N2)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Lomé Railway Station (mostly freight/limited pass); Main bus hub at Gare de Kara
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass; pay-per-ride on SOTRAL buses (approx. 200-500 XOF)
- Regional Travel
- Shared taxis or buses to Cotonou, Benin (3 hours) or Accra, Ghana (3-4 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Clinique Biasa (Rue des Hydrocarbures) - High standard private care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centre de Bien-être (Nyékonakpoé) or sessions at Pure Beach on Sundays
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gym at Hotel 2 Février (Luxury) or Moving Togo (Boulevard du 13 Janvier)
- Laundry Services
- Pressing de Lomé or local 'Blanchisseries' found in residential areas
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Gozem or Deliv'too (Order from top restaurants online)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fufu with light soup or Djenkoumé (cornmeal tomato paste cake)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- L'Atelier (Offer veggie bowls) and local markets for fresh produce
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie de Marseille (Boulevard du 13 Janvier) for French pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Grand Marché (Lomé's central market) and Champion Supermarkets
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Assiyé (Local marketplace) or Jumia
- Grocery Delivery
- Kado-Kado or direct delivery via Gozem Food
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Kodjoviakopé beach bars or rooftop at Hotel 2 Février
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie BB Lomé (Brewers of Castel and Guinness)
- Wine Bars
- La Cave de l'Amitié (near Rue de l'Oti)
- Street Food Stalls
- Night stalls at Akodésséwa for grilled tilapia and Akpan
- Popular International Cuisine
- Alt-München (German/International) or Le Croustillon (French)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Monument de l'Indépendance and the Cathédrale du Sacré-Cœur
- Museums & Art Venues
- Palais de Lomé (Contemporary art in former governor's palace)
- Historical Sites
- Akodésséwa Fetish Market (World's largest voodoo market)
- Religious Sites
- Grande Mosquée de Lomé and Sacré-Cœur Cathedral
- Annual Events
- FESTHEF (International Theater Festival) and Togo Fashion Week
- Cultural Districts
- Kodjoviakopé (Historic and artistic neighborhood)
- Theater Venues
- Institut Français du Togo (Boulevard Circulaire)
- Local Markets
- Assigamé (Grand Marché) for famous 'Nana Benz' textiles
- Music Scene
- Live Afrobeats and Highlife at Miami 228
- Street Art
- Murals around the University of Lomé and Palais de Lomé perimeter
- Cooking Classes
- Workshops at various boutique guest houses in Nyékonakpoé
- Art Galleries
- Galerie l'Africaine or Galerie d'Art Damawuzan
- Historic Buildings
- The German-built wharf ruins on the Rue du Commerce
- Local Heritage
- Ewe and Guin-Mina cultural traditions; Voodoo heritage sites
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Lake Togo (Agbodrafo) - Boating and relaxation (30 mins drive)
- National Parks Nearby
- Koutammakou (UNESCO site - 6 hours north) or Fazao-Malfakassa (Central Togo)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The beachfront promenade (Route d'Aflao) early morning
- Scenic Viewpoints
- 7th Floor of Hotel 2 Février for a 360-degree city view
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lagoons near Aneho and the mangroves of the Mono River
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Public beaches in Baguida (permits/local coordination recommended)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- DHL (Rue de l'Oti) and La Poste Togolaise
- Tech Repair Services
- Small kiosks in Dékon (The electronics district)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Omnisports de Lomé
- Language Classes
- Institut Français (French) or local tutors for Ewe via Facebook
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Library of the University of Lomé or the Institut Français Reading Room
- Community Centers
- Bluezone de Cacavéli (Solar-powered community/work spaces)
- Gaming Lounges
- Lomé Gaming Hub (various locations near university)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino at Hotel Sarakawa
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 450,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 18,000,000 XOF / $30,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 250,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10,000,000 XOF / $16,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 550,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 33,000,000 XOF / $54,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 300,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 18,000,000 XOF / $30,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 650,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 52,000,000 XOF / $85,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 350,000 XOF per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 28,000,000 XOF / $46,000)
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate 27% (25% for industrial entities)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 13% (Standard for UEMOA region)
- Tax System
- Territorial/Worldwide basis for residents (183+ days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 18% (Standard Rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Basic rules within the OHADA framework
- Property Tax
- Taxe Foncière (approx. 15% of annual rental value)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration fees approx. 5-9% of purchase price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific visa yet; most stay on tourism/business visas with foreign income unreported