Autonomous Port of Lomé

The Autonomous Port of Lomé (PAL) is the only natural deep-water port on the West African coast. It plays a major strategic role for Togo and the region's landlocked countries (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger).

History

Togo's port history is tied to its colonial past. German colonists built a first wooden wharf in 1890. After a fire, it was replaced in 1904 by a second wharf with a metal frame on concrete piles.

In 1959, Togolese authorities decided to build a true deep-water port, as the existing wharf could no longer handle growing maritime traffic. On July 20, 1960, an economic and technical cooperation agreement was signed between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Togo for the port's construction.

The port was inaugurated on April 28, 1968, largely financed by KfW (the German development bank) and built by the German consortium Hochtief.

Technical specifications

Area: 900 hectares
Depth: 16.60 m
Status: The only natural deep-water port on the West African coast

Regional importance

PAL is West Africa's leading container transshipment hub, and the second in sub-Saharan Africa, just behind Durban (South Africa). According to several sources, Lomé has become Africa's 4th largest container port.

The port directly serves the region's landlocked countries — Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger — for which it is an essential gateway to international maritime trade.

Location

The port is located in the Golfe 1 commune, in close proximity to downtown and the Adawlato market, which partly explains this district's historic commercial appeal.

Last verified: September 11, 2026 Sources: togo-port.net — History of the Autonomous Port of Lomé, Wikipedia — Port autonome de Lomé, République Togolaise — From colonial wharf to deep-water port