Baguida — Togo's First Colonial Capital
neighborhood · Golfe 6 Commune (Baguida) — Lomé · Lomé
Baguida — Togo's First Capital
Baguida, a coastal locality about fifteen kilometers from Lomé toward Benin, holds a unique place in Togolese history: it was Togo's very first capital as a German colony.
Founding
The village of Baguida was created in the late 17th century by a hunter named Sani, originally from Bè, who discovered this calm, sandy-soiled spot during a hunting expedition. The region bordering the Atlantic coast was then entirely forested and abounded in game and fertile land. Sani and his people settled there and cultivated cereals, tubers, and legumes.
First colonial capital (1884-1893)
The signing of the Protectorate Treaty in 1884 at Baguida made this locality Togo's first capital as a German colony, a status it held until 1893, before the capital was moved to Lomé.
Baguida today
The site today hosts one of the country's most beautiful beaches, lined with coconut trees, with almost golden sand and a magnificently blue sea. This coastal locality draws people from Lomé on weekends for its peaceful beaches, grilled fish, and small human-scale hotels.
Photography enthusiasts find superb shots of fishing nets spread out in the sun. In the afternoon, one can watch fishermen at work and see ships waiting to enter the Autonomous Port of Lomé.
Cultural and tourist significance
Baguida thus combines a unique historical heritage (first colonial capital) with a contemporary seaside vocation, making it a favored destination for visitors seeking authenticity and Togolese history.
Last verified: September 11, 2026
Baguida at the 2022 census
At Togo's fifth general population and housing census (RGPH-5, November 2022), INSEED counted 46,017 residents in Baguida: 22,353 men and 23,664 women, or 94 men per 100 women. The neighbourhood belongs to the Golfe 6 commune, in the Golfe prefecture. It holds 25.3% of the commune's 181,561 residents and ranks 2 of 6 neighbourhoods by population. Greater Lomé has 2,188,376 residents.
Neighbourhoods of the Golfe 6 commune
| Neighbourhood | Residents (2022) | Men | Women | Share of the commune |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adamavo | 56,103 | 27,514 | 28,589 | 30.9% |
| Baguida | 46,017 | 22,353 | 23,664 | 25.3% |
| Devego | 26,711 | 13,241 | 13,470 | 14.7% |
| Agodeke | 19,101 | 9,056 | 10,045 | 10.5% |
| Kpogan | 17,944 | 8,624 | 9,320 | 9.9% |
| Avepozo | 15,685 | 7,602 | 8,083 | 8.6% |
Official source (accessed 17 October 2026)
- National Institute of Statistics and Economic and Demographic Studies (INSEED), RGPH-5, booklet 1: spatial distribution of the population by sex (French), 2022: resident population by sex of every neighbourhood of the Golfe and Agoè-Nyivé prefectures (tables 10 and 11).