Togo has now given a regulatory framework to the visa exemption recently announced for African travelers.
Meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, under the chairmanship of Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council, the Council of Ministers adopted the decree exempting nationals of African states from entry visas for Togo.
The adoption marks a further step in the implementation of the measure announced a few days earlier, which removes the visa requirement for African citizens traveling to Togo for a short stay as of May 18, 2026.
According to the official report, the decision is part of the Togolese authorities’ policy of openness and promotion of African integration.
Visa-free stays confirmed for up to 30 days
The adopted text establishes a 30-day visa exemption regime for nationals of African states who hold a valid passport or recognized travel document.
In practice, eligible travelers can enter Togo without applying for a visa in advance for a short stay of up to 30 days. The measure applies to nationals of African countries, provided they present a valid travel document recognized by the Togolese authorities.
Immigration checks remain in place
The visa exemption does not mean entry into Togo is free of formalities.
Eligible African travelers are still required to complete a travel declaration on the dedicated government platform, available at voyage.gouv.tg.
This step must be completed at least 24 hours before arrival in Togo. Once the declaration has been validated, the traveler receives a travel slip, which must be presented at border checkpoints. Togolese authorities describe the document as a prior administrative and security formality, separate from a visa.
The decree adopted by the Council of Ministers also states that immigration checks and formalities remain in force. The competent authorities retain the power to refuse entry or limit the stay of any person deemed likely to threaten public order, national security or public health.
The government also says the exemption may be suspended for any state in the event of a threat to Togo’s fundamental interests. This safeguard allows Togolese authorities to maintain border controls despite the removal of visa requirements for short stays by African nationals.
A measure presented as a driver of African integration
For Lomé, the visa exemption is part of an effort to strengthen Togo’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism and dialogue on the continent.
The government also presents the measure as a sign of its commitment to pan-Africanism and regional integration. It aligns with the objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the ECOWAS protocol on the free movement of persons and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By making entry easier for African nationals, Togo aims to encourage economic, cultural and tourism exchanges while strengthening cooperation with other states across the continent.
