BEIJING: Togo’s President of the Council of Ministers, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, is set to make an official visit to China from October 9 to 16, opening a fresh round of high-level engagement between the West African country and Beijing.

The visit has been arranged at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and comes as China continues to strengthen diplomatic and economic relationships with countries across Africa and the wider Global South.

Xi Jinping to Meet Togo’s Leader

During the visit, Chinese President Xi Jinping is scheduled to meet Gnassingbé. Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of China’s National People’s Congress, are also expected to hold talks and meetings with the Togolese leader.

Gnassingbé will additionally travel to the Chinese provinces of Shaanxi, Fujian and Guangdong as part of his programme.

Chinese officials have described the visit as an important opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation between the two countries.

Seventh Official Visit to China

The upcoming trip will be Gnassingbé’s seventh official visit to China since taking office, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Beijing has characterized him as a longstanding friend of China and said the frequency of his visits reflects Togo’s importance to the bilateral relationship.

China and Togo established diplomatic relations in 1972. In September 2024, the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Economic Relationship Also Growing

Economic cooperation is an important component of the relationship.

According to Chinese government data, bilateral trade between China and Togo reached approximately $3.5 billion in 2024. Chinese exports to Togo accounted for the overwhelming majority of that trade, while Togolese exports to China were significantly smaller.

Chinese companies have also participated in infrastructure projects in Togo, including work involving roads, airports, telecommunications and electricity.

The two countries have additionally cooperated in areas such as education, healthcare and cultural exchanges.

Broader China-Africa Engagement

The visit is taking place against the backdrop of China’s wider engagement with African nations.

Beijing has increasingly emphasized cooperation with developing countries and has promoted the idea of closer coordination among countries of the Global South.

Chinese officials said the Togo visit could contribute to building what Beijing describes as an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future.

For Togo, closer relations with China provide access to one of the world’s largest economies and an important source of trade, infrastructure cooperation, technology and development partnerships.

Regional and International Significance

The discussions are expected to cover bilateral cooperation as well as broader international and regional issues.

China has said that the two countries have supported each other on matters involving their respective core interests and major concerns. Beijing has presented the relationship as an example of cooperation between countries of different sizes.

The meeting therefore has significance beyond the two governments, particularly as African countries continue to diversify their international partnerships amid changing global economic and geopolitical conditions.

Gnassingbé’s visit will also provide an opportunity for the two sides to assess existing projects and identify new areas for cooperation.

With high-level meetings planned with China’s top leadership and visits to several major Chinese provinces, the trip is expected to give additional momentum to China-Togo relations.

The outcome of the visit could help shape the next phase of cooperation in trade, infrastructure, healthcare, education and other sectors while reinforcing diplomatic links between China and West Africa.