Togo

Basic facts on marine waters

• Territorial sea (12 NM): From the base line to 12 nautical miles
• Exclusive Economic Zone: From 12 nautical miles to 200 nautical miles

Strategic documents related to MSP

• National Strategy for the Sea and the Coast (SNML 2021-2030)
• Master Plan for Coastal Development
• National Strategy for the Coastline and the Sea to 2030
• Togo: Towards a Blue Economy Strategic Framework for the Development of the Maritime and Coastal Economy
• Law on the development, protection and enhancement of the coastline

Technical resources related to MSP

• Ocean governance in Togo

Relevant MSP projects

• Project to create the Mono transboundary biosphere reserve
• West Africa Coastal Area Resilience Investment Project (WACA Project)
• MSPglobal 2.0 Pilot Project: Gulf of Guinea
• Using marine spatial planning in the Gulf of Guinea to implement payment for ecosystem services and nature-based coastal solutions
• Protection of sea turtles on the Togolese coast as part of the programme to monitor sea turtle populations on the Togolese coast
• Strengthening the Resilience to Climate Change of Infrastructures on the Coast of Togo
• Marine and Coastal Zone Management Project for North and West Africa (MarCNoWA)

A study on the legal status of MSP is underway.

Decree 113 n° 2014-113/PR of 30 April 2014:
It creates the National Agency for State Action at Sea (ONAEM). Its mission is to strengthen the action of public administrations and to coordinate intersectoral efforts in order to preserve Togo’s maritime interests, in particular through:

• Maritime safety and rescue at sea
• Maritime and port security
• The fight against piracy and trafficking, particularly narcotics
• The fight against illegal discharge at sea
• The fight against illegal immigration and trafficking by sea
• Monitoring and control of the exploitation of fishery resources

Article 3 of this decree defines the composition of the ONAEM as follows:

• The High Council of the Sea chaired by the Head of State
• An advisor for the sea
• The Maritime Prefecture

Decree n° 2014-173/PR:
It presents the attributions and organization of the services of the Advisor for the Sea. In article 2, the decree indicates that under the authority of the President of the Republic, the Adviser leads and coordinates the elaboration of policies conducted under the State’s action at sea. He is responsible for ensuring the consistency of these policies and their application.

He chairs the interministerial work relating to the State’s action at sea, in particular the maritime conference which assists him in his coordination and information mission. This maritime conference is composed of the heads of services of the administrations with competences at sea and on the coast.

The Advisor for the Sea studies measures to improve the effectiveness of the State’s action at sea. He has the rank of Minister.

Decree N° 2014-174/PR:
It defines the powers of the Maritime Prefect and organization of the Maritime Prefecture. The present decree in its article 3 indicates that:

• The Maritime Prefect is the representative of the Head of State for the implementation of action at sea
• He exercises, within the limits of his responsibilities, the attributions devolved to the ministers with responsibilities at sea
• He ensures the implementation of laws, regulations and government decisions in the maritime field
• The Maritime Prefect has authority in all areas where the State’s action at sea is carried out
• Under the authority of the President of the Republic, the Maritime Prefect can launch intervention procedures in accordance with Togo’s international commitments in terms of coordination and implementation of safety and security mechanisms in the maritime space
• Where necessary, he receives directives from the Advisor for the Sea in order to carry out the permanent missions of general interest for which he is responsible
• The powers of the Maritime Prefect do not preclude the powers of other civil, military or judicial administrative authorities by legislative or regulatory texts
• A decree of the Council of Ministers draws up the list of the missions for which the State is responsible at sea and designates the administration in charge of each mission

Decree n° 2015-025/PR relating to the State’s missions at sea

Law n° 2016-004 on combating piracy, other unlawful acts and the exercise by the State of its police powers at sea

Law n° 2016-007 on maritime areas under national jurisdiction

Law n° 2016-026 of 11 October 2016 on the regulation of fisheries and aquaculture in Togo

Law n° 2016-028 of 11 October 2016:
It covers the Merchant Navy Code in Togo/Ministry in charge of Maritime Affairs. The missions devolved to the maritime administration are (see article 5 of the Code):

• Administration of ships, floating devices, artificial islands, sea and lagoon works, wrecks and mortgages on ships
• Participation in the administration of oil and gas drilling and production platforms and other machinery of a mining and oil nature with regard to maritime and lagoon activities
• Participation in the administration of maritime, lagoon and river public domains
• Administration of maritime professions and seafarers
• Participation in the protection and preservation of the marine, lagoon and river environments
• Participation in the application of maritime labor regulations
• Settlement of individual or collective disputes
• Port security and safety
• Safety and security of navigation
• Participation in search, assistance and rescue at sea, in lagoons and in the navigable parts of rivers
• Participation in the control and surveillance of sea and lagoon fisheries

High Council of the Sea

Mr. Stanislas Bamouni Baba – Advisor to the President of the Republic for the Sea

Last updated: February 2025

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