In a significant move to tackle the pressing challenge of youth unemployment in Togo, authorities are embracing a practical strategy: empowering beneficiaries of professional training to become self-sufficient rural entrepreneurs. In Kpomé, located within the Maritime region, fifty young individuals have just taken a crucial step forward, receiving the necessary equipment to immediately launch their agricultural and livestock ventures.
This vital equipment handover, conducted on July 20 and presided over by Dotsè Medjina, the Secretary-General of the Maritime Regional Governorate, acting on behalf of the governor, marks the successful conclusion of an intensive three-month professional training program. The curriculum was specifically designed to prepare participants for promising careers in the agropastoral sector.
A new approach: equipping for immediate start-up
A common hurdle in youth integration programs is the post-training phase, where many skilled individuals lack the initial capital to launch their businesses. In Kpomé, this conventional approach has been redefined.
Following their training, the beneficiaries are now equipped with comprehensive start-up kits. These include essential tools such as power tillers, motor pumps, sprayers, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, electronic scales, rolls of fencing, irrigation systems, water storage solutions, wheelbarrows, and various construction materials.
The core objective is to enable these newly trained producers to commence their operations without delay, eliminating the need to wait for additional funding or resources.
Agropastoral sector: a key driver for rural employment
The fifty beneficiaries have been thoroughly prepared to operate in several sectors deemed strategic for rural development. The comprehensive program encompasses market gardening, poultry farming, raising small ruminants, and pig production.
By providing these young individuals with tailored equipment, public authorities aim not only to foster their financial independence but also to bolster local production and invigorate rural economies across Togo.
Strategic investment focused on diligence and accountability
During the handover ceremony, Dotsè Medjina underscored the significant responsibility that accompanies this equipment provision. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the tools diligently to ensure the profitability and long-term sustainability of their agricultural operations.
Furthermore, he called upon the young entrepreneurs to fully embrace their roles and become active contributors to the economic development of their respective communities.
A national strategy for Togo’s food sovereignty
This initiative forms an integral part of the “Formation-métier et accompagnement à l’insertion professionnelle” (Vocational Training and Professional Integration Support) project, which was launched in 2025 by the Agence nationale pour l’emploi (ANPE) in collaboration with the Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche, des Ressources animales et de la Souveraineté alimentaire.
Through this comprehensive program, Togo aims to move beyond purely theoretical training, fostering an employment policy that prioritizes the creation of income-generating activities. The strategic focus on the agropastoral sector exemplifies this direction, with the ambitious goal of cultivating a new generation of young producers capable of transforming their acquired skills into viable businesses and making a lasting contribution to the nation’s food sovereignty.
