Togo launches national geoportal to drive data-led development

Togo has unveiled an ambitious national Geoportal, establishing itself as an African leader in geospatial data management. This innovative digital platform centralizes over 800 interactive map layers across 15 socioeconomic sectors including education, health and agriculture, marking a significant advancement in the country's digital transformation agenda. 

The two-tiered system caters to diverse user needs - geoportail.gouv.tg provides secure access for government institutions while geodata.gouv.tg offers open data to researchers, businesses and citizens. This dual approach ensures both data security and public accessibility, enabling evidence-based decision making across society. 

Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation, Cina Lawson noted the portal's strategic importance, stating it positions data as the cornerstone of modern governance. The platform serves multiple development objectives including enhanced territorial planning, investment facilitation through infrastructure mapping, and strengthened academic research capabilities. 

Beyond immediate practical applications, the Geoportal establishes critical foundations for emerging technologies. By aggregating reliable geolocated datasets, the system enables advanced analytics, predictive modeling and artificial intelligence applications that can transform public service delivery and policy formulation. 

The initiative reflects Togo's commitment to transparent, data-driven governance and its aspiration to become a regional hub for digital innovation. As the most comprehensive national geospatial platform in Africa, the Geoportal sets a new standard for how developing nations can leverage technology to accelerate sustainable development and improve lives through accessible information.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye