The field visit represents a major step in their 7-months mission to assist the country in setting up a national research and innovation fund to fully exploit their potential as an engine for sustainable development in Togo.

During the visit, which took place from 12 to 22 November 2023, in-depth interviews with a wide range of R&I actors (several ministries, private sector, incubators and start-uppers, academia and research centers, international development partners, CSOs) were held. The expert panel was received by high-level national authorities, such as the Hon. Prof. Majesté N. Ihou Wateba, Minister of Higher Education and Research, Hon. Manuella Modukpe Santos, Minister de la Promotion de l’Investissement, along with Secretary Generals of different ministries, rectors of Universities, and directors of research centres and the President’s Delivery Unit.

Expert panel with MESR directors

Accompanied by the Policy Support Facility (PSF) Technical Assistance Unit, the international group of high-level experts has worked in close collaboration with the national team, led by Prof. Prof. Kouami Kokou Director of Scientific and Technical Research of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR)- the requesting authority for this PSF service.

The experts engaged with over 200 professionals and representatives from more than 50 institutions and organizations, embracing an inclusive and comprehensive approach to enhance ownership and impact of the PSF service. Their interactions extended beyond Lome to include Kara, Atakpamé, and Kpalimé, connecting with crucial R&I figures across different regions of the country. This extensive outreach enabled PSF experts to glean valuable insights and perspectives from key players in the national R&I ecosystem.

The expert panel along with innovators and startups

The national experts will continue the field mission to collect insights from other key R&I actors.

Officially launched in September 2023, this service is the ninth under the Policy Support Facility (after Lesotho, Mauritania, The Gambia, Timor-Leste, Kenya, Cameroon, Guinee and a Mutual Learning Exercise on R&I policies and strategies), initiated in January 2021, by the EU-funded OACPS Research and Innovation Programme, to enhance the quality and efficiency of R&I policy systems.

For more information on this PSF service, please download :

The factsheet on the PSF service in Togo

Presentation of the members of the expert panel

Please also visit the page on our website dedicated to the PSF service in Togo