Togo: Cabinet Reviews Land Code Revision 2026 to Fortify Property Rights

• Togo plans to revise its Land and Property Code, adopted in 2018, with amendments reviewed by the Cabinet on November 6, 2026.
• The revisions aim to strengthen property rights, improve land access, modernize state land management, enhance land tenure security, increase government revenue, and foster investment.
• These reforms follow a $35 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program, including an $8 million LRAP Project launched in June 2022.
• The LRAP Project focused on mapping land, recognizing customary rights, and securing rural land tenure, mapping over 37% of its target area before MCC funding ended on December 18, 2025.
• Togolese authorities have continued pilot site activities and restructured land administration, establishing the Agence Nationale du Domaine et du Foncier (ANDF) in September 2025.

These legislative adjustments are designed with a clear vision to bolster Togo land tenure security, a fundamental element for both individual landholders and corporate entities.

Togo is embarking on a significant legislative undertaking with its planned Togo Land Code revision 2026, aiming to update the existing Land and Property Code that was initially adopted on June 14, 2018. This comprehensive review seeks to achieve several critical objectives: to fortify property rights across the nation, to enhance access to land for its citizens, and to modernize the overall management framework for state-owned land and properties. The proposed Togo Property Code amendments underwent a detailed review during a Cabinet meeting held on November 6, 2026, indicating the advanced stage of these governmental reforms.

These legislative adjustments are designed with a clear vision to bolster Togo land tenure security, a fundamental element for both individual landholders and corporate entities. Beyond this, the revisions are expected to contribute to an increase in government revenue and foster a more attractive and stable environment for both domestic and international investment, thereby supporting the nation's economic development and stability.

The current push for legislative change is rooted in a history of land reforms spanning several years within Togo. Following the initial implementation of the 2018 code, the country successfully secured substantial international backing. This support came from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through a $35 million Threshold Program agreement, which translates to approximately CFAF 20 billion. This crucial agreement was formally signed in February 2019, providing significant resources for the reform agenda.

Integral to this broader MCC program was a dedicated $8 million component, equivalent to about CFAF 4.8 billion, specifically allocated to land reform initiatives. This particular effort was officially designated as the Land Reform to Accelerate Agricultural Productivity (LRAP) Project. The LRAP Project Togo commenced its operations in June 2022, marking a pivotal phase in the nation's ongoing commitment to refining its land management and property rights framework.

The core mission of the LRAP Project Togo was to strengthen land rights, with a particular focus on empowering rural communities. Its strategic approach involved several key activities: the systematic mapping of land parcels, the formal recognition of customary land rights, and the implementation of pilot projects specifically designed to assist local populations in securing their land tenure. These concerted efforts were instrumental in enhancing Togo land tenure security at the community level.

Despite the project's progress, the partnership with the MCC concluded in 2025, with the associated funding officially ceasing on December 18, 2025. Nevertheless, Togolese authorities demonstrated their unwavering commitment to the reform objectives by establishing alternative arrangements to ensure the continuity of activities at the designated pilot sites. A progress report released by the Togolese government in March 2026 confirmed that the project had successfully mapped over 37% of its target area prior to the termination of the MCC collaboration. In parallel with these efforts, the government has also undertaken a significant restructuring of its land administration, notably establishing the Agence Nationale du Domaine et du Foncier (ANDF) in September 2025, as part of the broader Togo land reform 2026 agenda.

Lawyers and compliance officers involved in real estate, investment, or agricultural projects in Togo must closely monitor the proposed revisions to the Land and Property Code. These amendments will likely alter property rights, land acquisition processes, and land tenure security, necessitating a review of existing agreements and due diligence practices to ensure compliance and advise clients on new regulatory frameworks and potential investment implications.

Source: Original reporting via legal news.