On May 18, 2026, Togo’s Minister of Security, Calixte Batossie Madjoulba, announced that the measure applies to all African citizens holding valid passports.
Minister Madjoulba explained that Gnassingbé made the decision to promote African integration, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and strengthen cooperation among African countries and citizens across the continent.
Togo stated that it aims to become a major African hub for services, trade, culture, and other activities connecting people across the continent, emphasizing that opening borders is essential to achieving that vision.
Togo now joins Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin, which adopted similar policies at different times to ease travel for Africans seeking tourism or business opportunities.
While opening the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit 2023 in November 2023, Paul Kagame stated:
“Every African can board a plane to Rwanda whenever they wish and will not pay anything to enter our country.”
Minister Madjoulba clarified that Gnassingbé’s decision does not remove the obligation for travelers entering Togo to comply with security, immigration, and health regulations.
He also stressed that the policy does not exempt individuals who enter Togo illegally, stay unlawfully, or violate security and administrative regulations from legal action.
