Togo Advances National Agricultural Insurance with GCA Support

L omé, 12 July 2025 — The Government of Togo, in partnership with the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and Bioversity International and CIAT, has taken a major step forward in strengthening climate resilience for its farmers through the co-development of a National Agricultural Insurance Roadmap.

At a two-day workshop held in Lomé on 10–11 July 2025, key stakeholders from across Togo’s agriculture sector came together to finalize a comprehensive roadmap that will guide the rollout of index-based insurance for farmers. Participants included farming cooperatives, insurance providers, technical institutions, financial partners, and public agencies, all of whom contributed to a shared vision for a climate-smart agricultural insurance system.

This initiative is part of GCA’s broader mission to climate-proof development and ensure the most vulnerable populations are equipped to manage growing climate risks. In Togo, where agriculture employs over 60% of the population, extreme weather events are increasingly threatening livelihoods, food security, and economic stability.

Dr. Mathieu Ouédraogo, Agricultural Economist at the CIAT said:
“Agricultural insurance is not only a safety net—it’s a catalyst for transformation. This roadmap puts farmers in the driver’s seat, enabling them to adopt better practices, withstand climate shocks, and invest confidently in the future.”

Through interactive working sessions, stakeholders mapped out the tools, methods, capacity-building needs, and financing mechanisms necessary to implement a scalable insurance system that is tailored to the realities of Togo’s agricultural landscape. The roadmap also defines clear responsibilities for each actor and identifies key indicators to monitor progress.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Komi Essiomile, Director of Planning, Agricultural Statistics and Monitoring-Evaluation at the Ministry of Agriculture, reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to supporting producers: “Insurance is a priority tool in our national efforts to strengthen food security and achieve self-sufficiency. The partnership with GCA and Bioversity ensures that this process is both technically sound and locally grounded.”

Jip van Leemput, Program Officer at GCA added: “This initiative will deliver lasting change by co-creating tools with those who use them. Insurance must be understandable, accessible, and trusted by farmers—this is how we build resilience.”

GCA’s work in Togo aligns with its Africa-wide programs under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), supporting governments and communities to build adaptive capacity in agriculture, infrastructure, and finance. This latest milestone demonstrates the power of locally led adaptation backed by international expertise and funding.

The national roadmap will now move into the implementation phase, with pilot projects expected to scale up over the coming year, reaching thousands of farmers and serving as a model for climate adaptation in West Africa.

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