Kpomé, August 3, 2026 — In a strategic move to tackle the persistent challenge of youth unemployment in Togo, authorities are embracing a practical approach: transforming trained individuals into thriving rural entrepreneurs. In Kpomé, located within the Maritime region, fifty young people have reached a significant milestone, receiving essential equipment designed to immediately kickstart their agricultural and livestock enterprises.
This crucial distribution of materials, which took place on July 20 and was presided over by Dotsè Medjina, the Secretary General of the Maritime Region Governorship, acting on behalf of the Governor, marks the successful conclusion of a rigorous three-month professional training program. The curriculum was specifically tailored to high-potential careers within the agropastoral sector.
A new paradigm: beyond training to immediate material support
A common hurdle in many professional integration initiatives is the post-training phase. Often, young individuals acquire valuable skills but lack the essential capital to launch their own ventures.
In Kpomé, this conventional approach has been innovatively reversed. Following their comprehensive training, beneficiaries are now equipped with a complete installation kit. This vital package includes crucial tools such as power tillers, motor pumps, sprayers, seeds, fertilizers, electronic scales, rolls of fencing, irrigation and water storage systems, wheelbarrows, and various construction materials.
The core objective of this initiative is to empower these emerging producers to immediately commence their operations, eliminating the often-crippling wait for additional funding.
Agropastoralism: a key driver for rural employment creation
The fifty beneficiaries have undergone specialized training across several sectors deemed critical for rural development. The comprehensive program encompasses market gardening, poultry farming, the breeding of small ruminants, and pig production.
By furnishing these young individuals with appropriate equipment, public authorities aim not only to foster their financial independence but also to bolster local production capacities and invigorate rural economies across the region.
Strategic investment: fostering diligence and accountability
During the official ceremony, Dotsè Medjina underscored the significant responsibility that accompanies this provision of equipment. He earnestly urged the beneficiaries to utilize their new tools with utmost diligence, emphasizing that careful management is paramount to ensuring the profitability and long-term sustainability of their nascent enterprises.
Furthermore, he called upon these young individuals to fully embrace their roles, positioning themselves as vital contributors to the economic progress of their respective communities.
A national strategy for togolese food sovereignty
This impactful initiative is an integral component of the « Formation-métier et accompagnement à l’insertion professionnelle » project, originally launched in 2025 by the Agence nationale pour l’emploi (ANPE) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources, and Food Sovereignty.
Through this comprehensive program, Togo is committed to moving beyond mere theoretical instruction, instead fostering an employment policy that prioritizes the creation of tangible, income-generating activities. The deliberate focus on the agropastoral sector exemplifies this commitment, with the ambitious goal of cultivating a new generation of young producers. These individuals are expected to transform their acquired skills into viable businesses, thereby making a sustained contribution to the nation’s overarching objective of food sovereignty.
