Complete Guide to Settling in Lomé, Togo
Settling in Lomé: A Practical Guide
Lomé is a rapidly developing city with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, direct sea access, and a relatively affordable cost of living for West Africa.
Why Lomé?
- Relative stability: Togo is one of the most stable countries in West Africa
- Geographic position: A regional hub between Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
- Strategic port: The only deep-water port in West Africa
- Cost of living: Moderate compared to other African capitals
- International connections: Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport, Asky Airlines' regional hub
Visa and entry requirements
⚠️ Visa rules vary by nationality. Always check with the Togolese Embassy in your country.
ECOWAS nationals: Free movement without a visa
Other nationalities:
- Tourist visa: obtained on arrival or via e-Visa
- Residence permit: for extended stays
- Work permit: mandatory for paid employment
Housing in Lomé
Popular districts for expatriates:
- Nyékonakpoé: 4th arrondissement, lively historic district, close to the French Lycée, rents $850-1,700 for good-quality housing
- La Caisse (Résidence du Bénin): privileged, secure district popular with diplomats and international staff
- Tokoin: residential, close to Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital
- Hédzranawoé: near the international airport
Indicative rent ranges:
| Type | Approximate price |
|---|---|
| Downtown studio | ~110,000 – 170,000 FCFA/month (≈€170-260) |
| Furnished apartment | from ~200,000 FCFA/month (≈€300) |
| Villa / upscale seafront district | up to over 2,000,000 FCFA/month (≈€3,000+) |
These ranges are indicative and vary greatly depending on neighborhood, quality, and proximity to the sea. Sources: Expat.com, Combien-coute.net (2025).
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Cost of Living
Currency: XOF — CFA Franc BCEAO (fixed peg to the euro: 1 EUR = 655.957 FCFA)
The cost of living in Lomé remains generally moderate, particularly attractive for people coming from Europe, the United States, or Canada, according to several expat guides.
Essential services
Healthcare
- Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital (Amoutivé, Golfe 4 commune): the country's main teaching hospital, former site of Lomé's airport (1931-1945)
- Saint-Joseph Hospital (Golfe 2): a reference facility
- Private clinics: several available in Lomé (variable quality)
- Health insurance: strongly recommended for expatriates
Education
- University of Lomé: founded in 1970 (as the University of Benin, renamed in 2001), the country's main public institution of higher education, in the Sagbado area
- French Lycée of Lomé: located in Nyékonakpoé, the reference school for the French-speaking expatriate community
- Saint-Joseph College: founded in 1948, one of the capital's historic schools
Documents and identity
- National Identity Card (CNI): issued by the DGDN (not ONI) — 5,000 FCFA, valid 5 years
- Togolese passport: applications now online via services.dgdn.gouv.tg — 30,000 FCFA, valid 5 years
See the detailed guides: National Identity Card, Togolese Passport
Banking
- Several banks present: Ecobank, Orabank, BTCI, UBA
- Mobile money widely used (Flooz, TMoney) — even accepted for online administrative procedures (passport)
Transport in Lomé
- Motorcycle taxis (zémidjans): the main mode of transport, widely available
- Shared taxis: serve fixed routes by neighborhood, prices negotiable
- Bush taxis: connections to other cities in the country and neighboring countries, notably from the Agbalépédogan station
Culture and social life
Lomé offers:
- An active cultural scene
- Varied restaurants (African, French, Lebanese cuisine), particularly around Nyékonakpoé and Tokoin
- Accessible beaches (Lomé sits directly on the Atlantic Ocean), notably at Baguida — Togo's first colonial capital (1884-1893) — and Avépozo
- Iconic markets: the Adawlato Grand Market (Assigamé, inaugurated 1967) and the Akodesséwa Fetish Market, the world's largest voodoo market
- The Festival des Divinités Noires (Festival of Black Deities) — an annual celebration of voodoo traditions held every December in Aného and Glidji (about 45 km southeast of Lomé), not in Ouidah, which is in Benin
Useful resources
- CFE Togo (business registration): cfetogo.tg
- API-ZF (investment, free zone)
- OTR (taxation): otr.tg
- CNSS (social security): cnss.tg
- DGDN (identity, passport): dgdn.gouv.tg
- Service Public Togo (official procedures portal): service-public.gouv.tg
This guide is based on publicly available information, verified September 11, 2026. Always check with the relevant institutions before starting any procedure.