Introduction
Lomé is the capital and largest city of Togo. It has an urban population of 837,437 while there were 2,188,376 permanent residents in its metropolitan area as of the 2022 census. Located on the Gulf of Guinea at the southwest corner of the country, with its entire western border along the easternmost edge of Ghana's Volta Region, Lomé is the country's administrative and industrial center, which includes an oil refinery. It is also the country's chief port, from where it exports coffee, cocoa, copra, and oil palm kernels. Its city limits extends to the border with Ghana, located a few hundred meters west of the city center, to the Ghanaian city of Aflao and the South Ketu district where the city is situated, had 160,756 inhabitants in 2010. The cross-border agglomeration of which Lomé is the centre has about 2 million inhabitants as of 2020.
History & Origins
The city was founded by the Ewes and expanded in the 19th century by German, British and African traders, becoming the capital of Togoland in 1897. At the end of the 19th century, British customs duties on imported products (especially on alcohol and tobacco) weighed very heavily. The traders, mainly maritime Ewe or Anlo from the area between Aflao and Keta in the east of the British colony of Gold Coast, then looking for an alternative place to unload goods while being out of reach of British customs officers, naturally targeted the coastal site of Lomé, nearby. This commercial dynamic of customs circumvention and tax evasion then favored the expansion of Lomé around 1880. The calm and sparsely inhabited Loméen coastline began to be populated rapidly. The Ewes were soon joined by European, British and especially German companies, as well as itinerant merchants from the interior, such as the Hausa caravans from the cola roads. Many people were attracted by the new economic hub that Lomé represented. The rapid growth of the city was reinforced, and Lomé quickly earned a reputation as a place where good business was done.
Geography & Climate
At its creation, the commune of Lomé was wedged between the lagoon to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the village of Bè to the east and the border of Aflao to the west. Today, it has experienced a vertiginous extension, and is bounded by the Togolese Insurance Group to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, the oil refinery to the east, and the Togo-Ghana border to the west. The agglomeration spreads over an area of 333 sq.km. including 30 sq.km. in the lagoon area. The services of the municipality of Lomé go far beyond the limits of the gulf and the municipality to the north and east of the city. Distance between Lomé and the rest of the country's cities LoméAného : 45 km LoméNotsé : 100 km LoméAtakpamé : 167 km LoméSokodé : 355 km LoméBassar : 412 km LoméKandé 503 km LoméDapaong : 662 km
Owing to its location in the Dahomey Gap, Lomé has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw/As) despite its latitude close to the equator. The capital of Togo is relatively dry with an annual average rainfall of 800 to 900 millimetres (31 to 35 in) and on average 59 rainy days per year. Despite this, the city experiences heavy fog most of the year from the northern extension of the Benguela Current and receives a total of 2,330 bright sunshine hours annually. Comparably dry inland West African cities like Bamako or Kano expect between 2,900 and 3,000 hours of sunshine annually. The annual mean temperature is about 26.9 °C or 80.4 °F but heat is constant as monthly mean temperatures range from 24.9 °C or 76.8 °F in July, the least hot month of the year to 29.6 °C or 85.3 °F in February and in April, the hottest months of the year.
Demographics & Culture
Lomé has a population of approximately 33,000+, making it a modest-sized capital in West Africa. The city is a melting pot of cultures, languages, and traditions drawn from across Togo.
The Togo National Museum is in the Palais de Congrès. The museum contains collections such as jewellery, musical instruments, dolls, pottery, weapons and many other materials showing arts and traditions. LOL 867, also known as "Defenders of Lome," is a historic Orange Lodge that was formed in September 1915 in the city. It holds a unique place in the history of the Orange Order as it was the first lodge to be established in that country. Its founder was a local man named John Amate Atayi. They focus on positive evangelism, youth development, and community philanthropy. Members view the victory of William of Orange not as a political symbol but as one of civil and religious freedom. The Grand Orange Lodge of Togo was established in 1983.
Economy & Government
Located 200 km from Accra and 150 km from Cotonou, Lomé has an important port, including a free zone opened in 1968. Phosphates, coffee, cocoa, cotton and palm oil are exported and much of the transit is on behalf of Ghana, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The port is also home to an oil refinery and, since 1989, a shipyard. The concession of two container terminals to the Bolloré group gave rise to police custody and indictment of Vincent Bolloré in France in April 2018. The city produces building materials, including cement from the German group, HeidelbergCement. However, the political instability that began in the 1990s and continues today has severely affected the country's tourism sector. In 2003, the country received 57,539 visitors, an increase of 1 per cent over 2002. 22% of tourists came from France, 10% from Burkina Faso and 9% from Benin.
Landmarks & Attractions
Emmanuel Adebayor, retired footballer for Togo Kangni Alem, writer Elisabeth Apampa, cultural journalist and activist Gnimdéwa Atakpama, journalist and writer Yaovi Aziabou, Togolese professional footballer Nicole Coste, Air France flight attendant, mother of Alexandre Coste (the son of Albert II, Prince of Monaco) Patricia Dagban-Zonvidé (born 1960 in Lomé), Togolese politician Christiane Akoua Ekué, writer Sika Foyer, visual artist Sandra Ablamba Johnson, economist and political figure Emmanuel Kavi, artist Senam Langueh, Togolese former international footballer King Mensah, popular Afropop musician Amadou Morou, Togolese-Polish footballer Davide-Christelle Sanvee, Swiss performance artist of Togolese origin Marie Madoé Sivomey, first female mayor in Togo, served as mayor of Lomé from 1967 to 1974
Key Facts
- Lomé is the capital of Togo
- Population: approximately 33,000+
- Elevation: 10 meters (33 feet) above sea level
- Area: 90,000,000 km²
- Located in the West Africa region
- Capital and largest city of Togo
Fun Facts
- It holds a unique place in the history of the Orange Order as it was the first lodge to be established in that country.
- Lomé serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of Togo
- Lomé is an important city in the West Africa region
Quick Facts About Lome
- Country: Togo
- Continent: Africa (West Africa)
- Country population: approximately 9.9 million
- Capital city status: Lome is the capital of Togo, the seat of national government, and the location of foreign embassies, parliament, and the head of state's official residence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Togo?
The capital of Togo is Lome. Lome is the seat of national government, hosts most foreign embassies and consulates, and is typically where the head of state and parliament are located.
What continent is Lome in?
Lome, the capital of Togo, is located in Africa, in the West Africa region. As Togo's capital, Lome serves as the country's primary connection to the broader African political, economic, and cultural sphere.
Why is Lome the capital of Togo?
Lome was chosen as the capital of Togo for reasons that typically combine geography, history, and politics. Capital city selections often reflect a desire for centrality (being accessible from across the country), historical importance (being a longstanding seat of government or culture), or neutrality (being acceptable to multiple regions or ethnic groups within the country). The specific reasons for Lome's designation are detailed in the city's history above.
What is Lome known for?
As the capital of Togo, Lome is best known for housing the country's central government institutions — parliament, presidential or royal residences, supreme court, and key ministries. It is also typically a major cultural and economic center within Togo, hosting national museums, embassies, and signature monuments. The introduction and history sections above provide detailed coverage of the city's specific notable institutions and landmarks.
Related Pages
- Togo Country Guide — full geography, climate, economy, and culture overview
- Flag of Togo — meaning, history, and design of Togo's national flag
