In 2023, electricity consumption in Togo was just 217 kWh per person—about 6% of the global average of 3,853 kWh, or roughly eighteen times lower. Domestic low-carbon electricity generation amounted to only 20 kWh per person, while net electricity imports totaled 1.1 TWh. Imports are not a generation source and cannot be classified as clean or fossil-based without knowing how that electricity was produced. The supplied data therefore do not establish the full split between low-carbon and fossil electricity consumption. Such low electricity availability can constrain healthcare, education, industrial development and access to reliable cooling, while limiting opportunities for electrification and digital services.

Is Electricity Growing in Togo?

Togo’s latest figures do not show record growth in electricity consumption per person. The 2023 level was about 7 kWh below the previous peak of 224 kWh per person in 2014—a decline of roughly 3%. Low-carbon generation per person was even further behind its historical high: about 20 kWh in 2023 compared with 58 kWh in 1995, or roughly two-thirds lower. These comparisons indicate disappointing progress relative to past peaks, although they do not establish whether total electricity consumption or generation increased in the most recent year. Sustained growth in clean electricity is needed to improve access and support future demand.

Suggestions

Togo can increase low-carbon electricity generation by prioritizing solar deployment alongside stronger grids, storage and regional electricity cooperation. Relevant examples include South Africa, which generated 19 TWh of solar electricity, and India, which generated 223 TWh; their experience offers useful models for expanding solar through both large projects and distributed installations. South Africa’s 11 TWh of wind generation also suggests a complementary option where local wind measurements support development. Nuclear electricity should be considered in long-term planning, including through regional partnerships: South Africa generated 11 TWh from nuclear, while Pakistan generated 25 TWh. These examples demonstrate how nuclear can complement solar with dependable low-carbon generation. Togo should adapt these lessons to its own electricity demand, institutions and regional grid rather than simply copying the scale of larger systems.

History

The supplied history shows fluctuating hydroelectric generation rather than sustained low-carbon expansion. During the 1990s, hydro repeatedly rose or fell by about 0.1 TWh annually, with increases in 1990–1991, 1993, 1995 and 1998 offset by frequent declines. Another decline occurred in 2001, while 2004 showed no change. Between 2013 and 2019, hydro again alternated between gains and losses of around 0.1 TWh, including consecutive declines in 2017 and 2018 before a recovery in 2019. Solar provided an encouraging addition in 2021, increasing generation by about 0.1 TWh. Building on that solar growth while broadening dependable clean electricity supply would help Togo move beyond its history of uneven progress.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade