Kpomé, August 3, 2026 — In a strategic move to address the persistent challenge of youth unemployment across Togo, authorities are embracing a practical approach: transforming trained individuals into thriving rural entrepreneurs. In Kpomé, nestled within the Maritime region, fifty young people have just taken a significant step forward, receiving essential equipment to immediately launch their agricultural and livestock ventures.
This crucial equipment distribution, which took place on July 20 under the patronage of Dotsè Medjina, the Secretary General of the Maritime Region Governorship, standing in for the governor, marks the successful culmination of an intensive three-month vocational training program. The curriculum specifically focused on high-potential trades within the agropastoral sector.
A new paradigm: immediate material provision for aspiring entrepreneurs
A common hurdle in professional integration programs often emerges post-training: many young individuals gain valuable skills but lack the essential capital to kickstart an enterprise.
In Kpomé, this conventional approach has been redefined. Following their comprehensive training, beneficiaries are now equipped with a complete start-up package. This includes vital tools such as motor cultivators, motor pumps, sprayers, high-quality seeds, fertilizers, electronic scales, rolls of fencing, irrigation and water storage systems, wheelbarrows, and various construction materials.
The core objective is to empower these emerging producers to launch their operations without delay, bypassing the often-lengthy wait for additional funding.
Agropastoral sector: a key driver for rural job creation in Togo
The fifty beneficiaries have been meticulously prepared to operate in several fields deemed critical for rural development. The comprehensive program covers diverse specializations, including market gardening, poultry farming, raising small ruminants, and pig production.
By providing these young individuals with tailored equipment, public authorities aim not only to foster their financial independence but also to bolster local production capacities and invigorate rural economies across Togo.
A strategic investment emphasizing diligence and accountability
During the ceremony, Dotsè Medjina underscored the significant responsibility that accompanies this allocation of resources. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the equipment diligently to ensure the profitability and long-term sustainability of their new enterprises.
Furthermore, he called upon these young individuals to fully embrace their roles and become active contributors to the economic progress of their respective communities.
A national strategy for togolese food sovereignty
This pivotal initiative is an integral part of the “Vocational training and support for professional integration” project, originally launched in 2025 by the National Employment Agency (ANPE) in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Resources, and Food Sovereignty.
Through this ambitious program, Togo aims to move beyond purely theoretical training, establishing an employment policy more directly focused on generating income-producing activities. The deliberate choice of the agropastoral sector exemplifies this strategic direction, with the ultimate goal of fostering a new generation of young producers capable of transforming their acquired skills into viable businesses and making a lasting contribution to the nation’s food sovereignty.
