The capital of Italy, Rome, is hosting the FII PRIORITY Europe 2026 summit from June 17 to 19, bringing together global leaders to discuss economic transformation. Among the distinguished participants is the Prime Minister of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who is advocating for a revitalized economic partnership between Africa and Europe. As a keynote speaker at this forum focused on European competitiveness, he is championing Togo’s strategic role as a regional logistics hub in reshaping global value chains.
Faure Gnassingbé leads Togo’s delegation at Rome’s high-profile economic forum
Prime Minister Gnassingbé arrived in Rome on June 16, 2026, ahead of the summit. He engaged in discussions at the Waldorf Astoria Rome Cavalieri, invited by Yasir ben Othman Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Chairman of the FII Institute, the event’s organizer. The three-day summit, themed ‘Europe Reimagined: Capital, Sovereignty, and Strategic Autonomy’, explores ways to finance reindustrialization, strengthen supply chain resilience, and adapt to an AI-driven economy. Organizers highlight a projected 1.2% growth for the eurozone in 2026 and an estimated €800 billion in private investment potential over the next decade.
Togo champions stronger Africa-Europe economic ties through logistics and investment
During his address, the Togolese leader underscored the growing appeal of Africa as a destination for investment, infrastructure development, and regional integration. He emphasized Togo’s ambitions to become a key player in this evolving landscape by leveraging its position as a regional logistics powerhouse. Lomé is positioning itself as a gateway to West Africa, with investments in its autonomous port, expansion of integrated industrial zones, and reforms to enhance the business environment—all aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and boosting trade corridors.
« As a natural gateway to West Africa’s hinterland, we are committed to fostering shared growth, » stated Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Prime Minister of Togo.
Lomé’s push for regional connectivity takes center stage in diplomatic agenda
This trip to Rome follows a flurry of diplomatic activity for Togo’s economic diplomacy. Just three days prior, the Prime Minister inaugurated the first African Air Transport Convention and Exhibition in Lomé. These coordinated efforts reflect the government’s broader strategy to prioritize connectivity—whether through ports, aviation, or digital networks—as a cornerstone of national development.
