Lomé, Togo

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Lomé, Togo

Region: Maritime Region


Geographic Coordinates: 6.131900, 1.222800
Temperature Range: 20.0°C to 35.0°C (68°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons.
Population: 837437
Language: French

Lomé is the capital city of Togo, A small country located in West Africa. The city is situated on the Gulf of Guinea and has a population of approximately 1.5 million people, Making it the largest city in Togo and one of the most populous cities in West Africa. Lomé has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century when it was a small fishing village. During the colonial era, Lomé grew rapidly and became an important port for trade between Europe and Africa.

Today, Lomé remains an important commercial center with its bustling port serving as a major gateway for imports and exports. One of Lomé’s most notable features is its vibrant marketplaces. The Grand Marche (Big Market) is one of the largest markets in West Africa, Selling everything from fresh produce to textiles and crafts. Visitors can also explore other markets such as Nana Benz Market which specializes in wax print fabrics or Akodessewa Fetish Market which sells traditional African medicine and voodoo paraphernalia.

For those interested in history and culture, Lomé offers several museums worth visiting including Musée National which showcases Togolese art and artifacts from pre-colonial times to present day or Musée International du Golfe de Guinée (International Museum of Gulf Guinea) which highlights regional history through exhibits on slavery, Colonialism, Independence movements among others. Aside from its cultural offerings, Lomé boasts beautiful beaches such as Plage de Lome where visitors can relax under palm trees or take part in water sports like jet skiing or parasailing.

There are also several parks like Parc des Eaux et Forets (Park of Waterfalls & Forests) where visitors can hike through lush forests filled with waterfalls while enjoying views over the city skyline. Foodies will enjoy sampling local cuisine such as fufu (a starchy dish made from cassava flour), Grilled fish served with spicy sauces or akpan (a type of pancake made from cornmeal). Lomé also has a vibrant nightlife scene with bars and clubs that stay open late into the night. Overall, Lomé is a city that offers visitors a diverse range of experiences.

From its bustling markets to its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage, There is something for everyone in this vibrant West African city.



Important Landmarks

  1. Independence Monument
  2. Grand Marché (Central Market)
  3. Togo National Museum
  4. Lomé Cathedral
  5. Fetish Market (Akodessewa Market)
  6. Lomé Beach
  7. Palais des Congrès de Lomé (Lomé Congress Palace)
  8. Monument de l’Unité Africaine (African Unity Monument)
  9. Marche des Artisans (Artisan Market)
  10. Place de l’Indepedance

Primary Industries

  1. Port and shipping
  2. Agriculture (cocoa, coffee, cotton)
  3. Mining (phosphate)
  4. Manufacturing (textiles, cement, food processing)
  5. Banking and finance
  6. Tourism
  7. Transportation
  8. Telecommunications

Lomé is the largest port in West Africa and serves as a gateway for trade between landlocked countries in the region and the rest of the world. The city also has a thriving agriculture sector with cocoa being its main export crop.

There are several manufacturing industries in Lomé including textiles, cement production, and food processing which contribute to the city’s economy.

In addition to these industries, Lomé has a well-developed banking sector with several local and international banks operating within the city.

Tourism is also an important industry in Lomé with attractions such as beaches, museums, markets and cultural festivals attracting visitors from around the world.

Transportation services such as taxis, buses and motorcycles are widely available throughout the city while telecommunication services are provided by several companies including Togo Telecoms which is owned by the government of Togo.


Noteable History

  1. German colonization: Lomé was a German colony from 1884 until the end of World War I in 1918.
  2. Independence: Togo gained independence from France in 1960, and Lomé became the capital city.
  3. Gnassingbé Eyadéma: He was a military officer who seized power in a coup in 1967 and ruled Togo for over three decades until his death in 2005.
  4. The Ewé people: They are one of the largest ethnic groups in Togo, and their cultural traditions are still visible today through music, dance, and art.
  5. The National Museum: It showcases artifacts related to Togolese culture including traditional masks, sculptures, textiles, pottery and musical instruments.
  6. The Fetish Market: It is an open-air market where traditional African medicine practitioners sell various animal parts believed to have healing powers or spiritual significance.
  7. The Port of Lomé: It is one of West Africa’s busiest ports handling goods such as cocoa beans, coffee beans and cotton.
  8. FELIX HOUPHOUËT-BOIGNY STADIUM (Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny): This stadium is named after Félix Houphouët-Boigny who was president of Côte d’Ivoire for more than three decades (1960–1993).

Museums and Things To See

  1. National Museum of Togo
  2. Monument de l’Independence
  3. Palais des Congrès de Lomé
  4. Grand Marché de Lomé (Lomé Market)
  5. Akodessewa Fetish Market
  6. Centre Culturel Français (French Cultural Center)
  7. Musée International du Golfe de Guinée (International Museum of the Gulf of Guinea)
  8. Cathédrale Notre-Dame du Bon Conseil (Our Lady of Good Counsel Cathedral)
  9. Marche des Feticheurs (Fetishist Market)
  10. Place de l’Indépendance


Sports Teams

  1. Lomé, Togo does not have any known professional sports teams.
  2. However, the city has several amateur and semi-professional sports clubs operating within it.
    • AS Douanes, a football club established in 1963 that plays in the Togolese Championnat National
    • Maranatha FC, another football club founded in 2000 that has won numerous national championships
    • Dynamic Togolais, a basketball club competing in the Togolese Basketball League
    • ASKO de Kara, a football club from Kara (a city near Lomé) that has won multiple national championships
    • Agaza FC, another Lomé-based football club established since 1948 and has won various national titles
  3. Overall, sports culture in Togo is heavily inclined towards football (soccer), with many young people aspiring to become professional players someday.


Cultural Events

  1. Festival International du Film de Lomé (International Film Festival of Lomé)
  2. Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day Celebration)
  3. Festival des Arts et de la Culture d’Afrique (Festival of African Arts and Culture)
  4. Foire Internationale de Lomé (Lomé International Fair)
  5. Festival Nuits Atypiques de Kpogan (Kpogan Atypical Nights Festival)
  6. Fête des Cultures Ewé (Ewe Cultural Celebration)
  7. Togo Fashion Week
  8. Fête du Vodoun (Vodoun Celebration)
  9. Carnaval de Lomé
  10. Salon International du Livre et des Arts Visuels de Lomé (Lome International Book and Visual Arts Fair)

Cuisine

  • Akouavi Restaurant: A popular restaurant that serves traditional Togolese dishes such as fufu, grilled fish, and plantains.
  • Chez Fifi: A restaurant that specializes in seafood dishes such as grilled lobster and shrimp.
  • Le Bénin: A restaurant that serves a mix of West African and French cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood.
  • La Belle Epoque: A French-style bakery with freshly baked breads, pastries, and cakes.
  • Marché des Féticheurs: A market where you can find traditional Togolese foods such as yams, cassava, and palm oil.
  • Le Patio: A restaurant that offers both local and international dishes with a focus on using fresh ingredients from the region.
  • Yovodokpo Restaurant: Another popular spot for traditional Togolese food like fufu served with soup or stew made from okra or peanut butter sauce.
  • Le Galion Beach Bar & Restaurant: Located right on the beachfront offering delicious seafood options while enjoying the beautiful view of the ocean at sunset time.

  • Parks and Recreation

    1. Independence Square is a large public park situated in the heart of Lomé that attracts many visitors for recreational activities such as picnics and jogging.
    2. Togo Beach, located on the coast of Lomé, offers visitors a chance to relax in the sun or participate in water sports like swimming and surfing.
    3. The National Museum of Togo, located in Lomé, showcases exhibits on the country’s history, culture, and art.
    4. Grand Marche is a bustling outdoor market where visitors can shop for local crafts, clothing items, food products and more.
    5. Sacred Heart Cathedral is an iconic landmark of Lomé that welcomes visitors for tours or worship services.
    6. Akodessewa Fetish Market specializes in traditional African spiritual items such as herbs, animal parts, charms and other artifacts used by local healers.
    7. French Cultural Center hosts regular exhibitions featuring contemporary art from Togo as well as performances by local musicians and dancers.
    8. Palais des Congrès de Lomé (Lome Convention Center) is a modern conference center that hosts events ranging from business conferences to cultural festivals throughout the year.

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