Climate Change Overview

Country Summary

This page presents high-level information for Togo's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter).  Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Togo's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.

The Republic of Togo is located in West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea, between latitudes 6° to 11°N. The country shares borders with Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and its southern coastline of 56 kilometers (km), lies on the Gulf of Guinea. The country spans an area of 54,600 km2 encompassing rolling hills in the north, a southern plateau, and a low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes.

Togo is a low-income country and poverty rates remain high, with an estimated 69% of rural households currently living below the poverty line. As of 2020, Togo has a population of 8.1 million people, with an annual growth rate of 2.4% (2019), this is expected to reach 10.4 million and 15.4 million people in 2030 and 2050, respectively. Currently, 42.2% of the population lives in urban areas and this is expected to increase to 48.6% and 60.6% by 2030 and 2050, respectively. 

Togo’s recent economic growth has grown steadily, largely due to the rebound of the country’s extractive industry and continued expansion of its agricultural sector. However, significant parts of Togo’s population remain in poverty, without adequate access to basic services, and would benefit from more inclusive development policies. The country’s poverty and reliance on rain-fed agricultural and livestock increases its vulnerability to climate change and limits the capacity of poor households and communities to manage climate risk, increasing their vulnerability to climate-related shocks. Weather related hazards of which Togo is vulnerable are likely to increase with climate change. Agriculture, energy, health, housing, water resources, and coastal areas will be particularly vulnerable to these climatic changes. Future climate change may worsen coastal erosion and lead to loss of goods and services, which is especially concerning as over 90% of the country’s industrial units are located in coastal areas.