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Togo
Country Specific Information
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September 10, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:
Togo is a small West African country with a stagnant economy in a state of political uncertainty. French is the official
language, but Ewe and Mina are commonly spoken as well. Tourism facilities are limited, especially outside the capital city,
Lomé. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Togo for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Travelers are encouraged to obtain visas prior to arrival due to recent difficulties with requesting them at the airport in Lomé or at some of the land borders. Visas issued in Togo are limited to 7 days and can take an hour or more to be issued. Travelers applying for visa extensions can also experience significant delays. Vaccination against yellow fever is required before entry. U.S. citizens should carry copies of their U.S. passports and vaccination records with them at all times while traveling in Togo so that, if questioned by local officials, they have proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, and required vaccinations readily available.
Travelers may obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of the Republic of Togo, 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 234-4212. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Togolese embassy or consulate.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens are urged to avoid political rallies, street demonstrations, and maintain security awareness at all times. Togo has experienced periodic violence, strikes, and political tensions since 1990. Following the death of President Eyadema in February 2005, political activists took to the streets and held demonstrations throughout the country that resulted in more than 500 deaths. Land borders with Ghana and Benin are routinely shut down during elections. The October 2007 legislative elections were non-violent with only minor incidents reported during the single post-election demonstration. The next major elections are the presidential elections scheduled for 2010.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S. and Canada, or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: Over the past year, Togo has seen a marked increase in incidents of violent crime throughout the country, including several
recent machete attacks in poorly lit areas of Lomé. Rapid inflation and food shortages have contributed to increases in already
critical crime levels in urban areas. Particular areas for Americans to avoid within Lomé, especially during the hours of
darkness, include the Grand Marché area, the beach road, and the Ghana-Togo border areas. Travelers should avoid the beach
even during daylight hours as purse-snatchings and muggings occur there regularly.
Pick pocketing and theft are common in Togo, especially along the beach and in the market areas of Lomé. While incidents
of residential burglary are less common against foreigners, carjacking is on the rise, and even western diplomats have been
victims of carjacking. Theft while riding in taxis is also increasing, as thieves steal bags, wallets, and passports. Taxicabs
should not be shared with strangers.
Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including Americans. Formerly associated with Nigeria, these fraud
schemes are now prevalent throughout western Africa, including Togo, and pose a danger of both financial loss and physical
harm. An increasing number of Americans have been the targets of such scams, losing anywhere from several thousand to several
hundred thousand dollars. Typically, these scam operations begin with an unsolicited communication, usually by e-mail, from
an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of
a large sum of money or valuables out of the country. The scenarios vary: an American must pretend to be the next-of-kin
to a recently deceased Togolese who left a fortune unclaimed in a Togolese bank, or a person claiming to be related to present
or former political leaders needs assistance in transferring large sums of cash, or even a business deal that appears to be
legitimate. The requests are usually for the payment of advance fees, attorneys’ fees, or down payments on contracts. The
final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is to get any money possible and to gain information about the American’s
bank account. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense – if it looks too good to be true,
it probably is. You should carefully check out any unsolicited business proposals originating in Togo before you commit any
funds, provide any goods or services, or undertake any travel. Please check the Embassy web site at http://togo.usembassy.gov/ for the most current information on fraud in Togo. For additional information, please see the Department of State brochure
on International Financial Scams.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Togo is: 117 or 171 for police, 172 for Gendarmerie, 242 for the Pharmacy on Duty, and 118 for Fire Services.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities in Togo are limited and of very poor quality, with no adequate emergency medical care. Availability of medications through local pharmacies is unreliable, and travelers should carry all necessary medications, properly labeled, with them. Malaria, a serious and sometimes fatal disease, is prevalent in Togo. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, see the CDC travelers’ health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/.
For information on avian influenza (bird flu), please refer to the Department of State's Avian Influenza Fact Sheet.
According to the Togolese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, there are no HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Togo.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Togo is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
While some major thoroughfares in urban parts of Togo are paved, many secondary streets are not, and become severely flooded
every time it rains. Driving conditions are hazardous throughout Togo due to the presence of pedestrians, large numbers
of small motorcycles, disorderly drivers (moped, car and truck drivers), livestock on the roadways, and the poor condition
of the roads, including deep potholes. Overland travel off the main network of roads generally requires a four-wheel-drive
vehicle. Many drivers in Togo do not obey traffic laws and most traffic signals do not function properly. Drivers should
be prepared for other vehicles to run red lights or stops signs and drive in the wrong direction on one-way streets.
Nighttime travel on unfamiliar roads is dangerous. Poorly marked checkpoints, often manned by armed, undisciplined soldiers,
exist throughout the country, including in the capital. Banditry, including demands for bribes at checkpoints, has been reported
on major inter-city highways, including the Lomé-Cotonou coastal highway. Travelers are advised to be aware of their surroundings
and to drive defensively. At official checkpoints, Togolese security officials prefer that you approach with your dome light
on, and have your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance ready.
Americans should be aware of the staged-accident ploy when driving in Lomé. In this scam, a motorbike will cut in front of
you, cause a collision, and draw a crowd, which can turn hostile if you attempt to leave the scene of the so-called accident.
Such encounters appear designed to extort money from the vehicle driver. Pedestrians also cause staged accidents. Genuine
accidents can also draw hostile crowds. Travelers should drive with their car doors locked and windows closed, and have a
cell phone in the vehicle. If you are involved in this kind of accident and can drive away, you should leave the scene, drive
to a safe location, and alert both the police and the U.S. Embassy. Violent carjackings are periodically reported in Togo
and tend to increase during the summer months and holiday season.
Travelers are advised to exercise caution when using any form of local public transportation. Never get into a taxi with
unknown passengers and always agree on the fare before getting in.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of the country’s tourist office at http://www.togo-tourisme.com/.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Togo, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Togo’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s internet website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Power outages, voltage fluctuations, and water shortages are common throughout the country. Only certain U.S. credit cards
are accepted in Togo. Most major hotels and their restaurants accept American Express, MasterCard, and Visa, while smaller
hotels and restaurants do not. Travelers planning to use credit cards should know which cards are accepted before they commit
to any transaction. Travelers should keep all credit card receipts, as unauthorized card use and overcharging are common.
There are some Automatic Teller Machines that dispense local currency in major banks and they are generally considered safe.
Well-known money transfer firms, including Western Union, operate in Togo.
Photographing places affiliated with the government of Togo, including official government buildings, border crossings, checkpoints,
police stations, military bases, utility buildings, airports, government vehicles, and government or military personnel, is
strictly prohibited, and local authorities will confiscate film and cameras. Government buildings are not always clearly
identifiable, as they vary from being very well marked to being not marked at all.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Togo’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Togo are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Togo are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Togo. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located on Boulevard Eyadema, Neighborhood Lomé II, Lomé; telephone (228) 261-5470, fax (228) 261-5499. The local mailing address is B.P. 852, Lomé. The web site is http://togo.usembassy.gov/.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Togo dated March 3, 2008, to update the sections on Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, and Medical Facilities and Health Information.
