Togo: Travel and Safety Advice – Partial Travel Warning for the Border Region with Burkina Faso

Updated travel and safety advisories are available for Togo, particularly regarding the northern part of the country. Travel to the Kpendjal and Kpendjal Ouest prefectures in the Savanes region—which lie along the border with Benin and Burkina Faso—as well as onward travel to Burkina Faso is expressly discouraged. Travel to the other prefectures in the Savanes region—Cinkassé, Tône, Tandjoaré, Oti, and Oti Sud—is strongly discouraged. For the prefectures of Dankpen and Keran, located south of these areas, at least a travel advisory level is in effect, advising against travel. This is due to the tense security situation in the neighboring Sahel region, which is increasingly affecting the far north of Togo as well.

Since 2021, there have been repeated terrorist attacks on security forces in the border area with Burkina Faso, and in 2024, these incidents have escalated in both frequency and intensity. An attack in July 2024 claimed at least 21 lives and left numerous people injured. There have been civilian casualties since 2022, and reports of kidnappings have emerged since 2023. Due to the situation, a state of emergency has been declared for the Savanes region, which may lead to short-term and locally limited restrictions on public life. Travelers throughout the northern part of the country should expect increased police checks, which may occur even without apparent cause and, in some cases, may result in temporary detention. Independent travelers not accompanied by a local guide are particularly affected by this.

Caution is also advised outside the border region: Since early June 2025, there have been sporadic protests and roadblocks in the capital, Lomé, accompanied by temporary restrictions on the use of social media and other internet-based applications. Travelers are advised to give demonstrations and large gatherings a wide berth, refrain from taking photos or videos of protests or security forces, and follow the instructions of local security forces. In addition, it is important to stay informed through local media, as the situation can change at short notice.

Even in areas of the country that are more popular with tourists, increased vigilance against petty crime is advisable. Pickpocketing occurs primarily on beaches, at markets, and in crowded areas. There are isolated incidents of gang-related break-ins, robberies, and occasionally armed attacks on vehicles, which are often targeted and not random. Internet fraud involving long-term trust-building strategies is widespread, as in many West African countries. It is advisable to keep valuables and documents secure, to make electronic copies of important papers, to avoid beach areas after dark—especially near the border with Ghana—and to refrain from taking evening walks in Lomé.

For anyone planning a trip to Togo, careful preparation of entry documents is essential, especially given the varying regional security situations and possible last-minute restrictions. We can help you organize the necessary travel documents reliably and without unnecessary hassle. You can find an overview of the various categories and requirements in our guide to visa types, and you can submit your application conveniently and directly via our application form.

In general: Anyone planning a trip to Togo should definitely adapt their itinerary to the current security situation and avoid areas in the far north or visit them only with a local escort. In the rest of the country, particularly in Lomé and along tourist-friendly coastal areas, basic caution in daily life is generally sufficient, provided that current travel advisories and local news are heeded. Flexible travel planning and adequate insurance coverage are strongly recommended given the sometimes volatile situation in the region.