Who runs local government in Togo?
Togo has two levels of elected local government: five regions, whose councils were elected for the first time in April 2024, and 117 communes, whose councils were elected in 2019 and again in July 2025. Councillors then choose mayors and regional presidents, and they also elect two-thirds of the new Senate. Prefectures are run by appointed prefects. Canton and village chiefs are recognised and organised by law, and under the 2024 constitution a delegation of chiefs attends one of the twice-yearly meetings at which the head of government briefs the President of the Republic.
Togolese Republic · Unitary parliamentary republic (since the 2024 constitution) · Western Africa
The levels of government below the nation
| Level | How it is chosen | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Regions (5) | Regional council elected (first in April 2024, 179 councillors); council elects its president | Regional development and planning. |
| Autonomous District of Greater Lomé | Governor appointed by the government; council linked to the communes of Lomé | Coordinates services across the 13 communes of greater Lomé. |
| Prefectures (39) | Prefect appointed by central government | State administration (no longer local governments). |
| Communes (117: 50 urban, 67 rural) | Municipal council elected for six years (1,527 councillors elected in July 2025); council elects the mayor | Local services: markets, sanitation, civil registration, primary schools and health. |
| Cantons and villages | Canton and village chiefs designated by custom or by consultation of residents and recognised by the state | Customary authority and auxiliaries of the administration. |
Three questions about local power in Togo
Are local leaders elected?
Municipal and regional councillors are elected; mayors and regional presidents are elected by councils; councillors elect two-thirds of senators (the other third are appointed). Prefects and the Greater Lomé governor are appointed. Chiefs are chosen by custom or local consultation.
Which laws set up local government?
Communes and regions are set out in decentralisation laws (2019 onwards) and the constitution; chieftaincy is formal under the 2007 law.
Who are local leaders accountable to?
Voters; the government's supervisory authority over councils; the state can recognise, suspend or remove chiefs.
Traditional and customary authority
Togo's chieftaincy is organised by a 2007 law on traditional chieftaincy. Chiefs at canton, village and neighbourhood level are chosen according to custom, or by a consultation (sometimes a vote) of residents where custom is disputed, and are then recognised by the state, which pays them allowances and can sanction them. They settle minor disputes by conciliation, deal with land and customary matters and help the administration. A National Council of Traditional Chiefs represents them. Under Article 42 of the 2024 constitution, the President of the Republic receives the head of government at least twice a year to be briefed on the state of the nation, and a delegation of traditional chiefs attends one of these meetings.
Community and neighbourhood power
Village and neighbourhood development committees (CVD and CDQ) organise local projects and link residents to communes. Religious groups and hometown associations are active in both towns and villages.
Points to know
- Togo held its first municipal elections for over 30 years in 2019; before that, towns were run by appointed special delegations.
- Local councillors are now part of national politics: they elect most of the Senate, which in turn helps elect the President of the Republic in Parliament.
- Regions existed on paper for years but had no elected councils until April 2024.
- Under the 2024 constitution the main executive power lies with the President of the Council (head of government), chosen by Parliament.
Local terms
- Chef canton
- Canton chief: a customary chief over several villages, recognised by the state.
- CVD
- Comité villageois de développement: a village development committee.
- Préfecture
- A state administrative area run by an appointed prefect.
Sources
- Constitution of the Togolese Republic 2024, Constitute Project, checked 14 October 2026
- Togo: country profile (subnational government structure and finance, 2022 edition), OECD–UCLG World Observatory on Subnational Government Finance and Investment (SNG-WOFI), checked 14 October 2026
- République Togolaise – official government portal, Government of Togo, checked 14 October 2026
See also: Togo's official statistics and leaders · the 10 levels of power.