Togo is located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. Known for its stunning beaches, the lush hills of Kpalimé, and the bustling Grand Marché in Lomé, the country exudes a vibrant culture and warm hospitality.
Togo is also home to a young, educated workforce focused on growing their digital skills — perfect for companies seeking to hire employees for their global remote teams.
Key Takeaways:
- Togo has an 85.14% literacy rate and a focus on technology and entrepreneurship skills.
- The government invests in AI and digital infrastructure, including AI Week 2024 and a partnership with Huawei.
- Togo's workforce excels in various sectors, including information technology, marketing, sales, customer service, education, and consulting.
Advantages of Hiring in Togo
Togo boasts a youth literacy rate of 85.14%, establishing a strong foundation for a skilled workforce. With a predominantly young population, many under 30, there is a sense of energy and innovation in sectors like technology and entrepreneurship.
French is the country's official language, but there is a growing emphasis on English education, resulting in many bilingual young professionals.
Additionally, the cost of hiring in Togo is generally lower than in many Western countries, making it an attractive option for businesses seeking to expand their teams affordably.
Here's a brief overview of Togo:
- Language: French
- Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
- Capital City: Lomé
- Population: Approximately 9.3 Million
- Cost of Living Rank: 137th
Empowering Togo's Workforce for a Digital Future
Togo has implemented programs like the Dual Vocational Training System and PAFPE initiative to meet labor market needs, particularly in technical and service-oriented fields.
These programs combine classroom learning with teaching industry-specific skills, ensuring a skilled and job-ready workforce.
The Togolese government invests in AI and digital infrastructure, including partnering with Huawei to strengthen connectivity and support technological development.
In December 2024, Togo partnered with the Commonwealth to advance AI cooperation, focusing on digital transformation and workforce training for the global market.
Popular sectors for remote work in Togo include:
- Information Technology
- Marketing
- Sales
- Customer Service
- Education
- Consulting
Employment Laws: Hiring Compliantly in Togo
Employment Contracts
There are three main types of employment contracts:
- Indefinite-term is the most common type of contract, establishing an open-ended relationship with no end date. It's used for both full-time and part-time employees.
- Fixed-term is intended for specific periods with defined start and end dates and cannot exceed four years in total duration.
- Temporary employment contracts are agreements between a staffing agency, employee, and company. The agency manages the employment relationship while providing workers with temporary assignments.
Working Hours & Pay
In Togo, the standard workweek is 40 hours. As of 2024, the minimum wage is XOF 52,500 per month.
Probation Periods
The probation period length is based on job type and varies between one and six months, depending on the employee's role.
Employer Taxes
Employer payroll taxes include a 17.5% contribution to social security managed by the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS) and a 3% payroll tax.
Termination Process & Severance Pay
In Togo, the notice period is determined by employment type:
- General employees: 1 month's notice
- Supervisors and managers: 3 months' notice
- Hourly workers: 5 days' notice
Employees qualify for severance pay if dismissed for economic reasons or if terminated involuntarily without valid cause.
Severance pay in Togo is calculated as a percentage of the employee's average monthly salary based on their years of service.
- Up to 5 years: 35%
- 6 to 9 years: 40%
- 10+ years: 45%
Paid Leave Laws in Togo
Vacation and Holiday
Employees in Togo earn 2.5 days of vacation per month, which works out to 30 days of annual leave per year.
Paid public holidays include:
- New Year's Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Assumption Day
- All Saints' Day
Sick Leave
In Togo, workers are entitled to at least five days of paid sick leave each year. Beyond that, the amount of available sick leave is based on the length of service, which ranges from one to four months.
Maternity Leave
Female employees in Togo are granted 14 weeks of paid maternity leave, which includes six weeks of prenatal leave and eight weeks of postnatal leave.
Paternity Leave
Togo's labor laws do not mandate paid paternity leave. However, under the Interprofessional Collective Agreement, male workers are entitled to two days of paternity leave following the birth of a child.
Togo for Digital Nomads
The country's vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and low living costs make it an appealing destination for remote workers. While Togo does not offer a digital nomad visa, travelers can apply for a tourist visa to live and work there temporarily.
Popular spots for nomads to gather include coworking spaces like Lomé Coworking Space, which offers reliable internet and a collaborative atmosphere, and Café des Plantes, known for its relaxed vibe and good coffee.
How to Pay Remote Workers in Togo
Companies paying employees in Togo have various options, including bank transfers, cryptocurrency, and services like Wise or PayPal. Still, there are potential challenges associated with global payroll, including:
- Potential currency exchange issues resulting in over or underpayment
- Errors related to payroll processing
- Incorrect employee classification based on Togolese laws
One way to simplify the payroll process and mitigate these risks is by partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR), which can manage all global HR duties for your remote employees in Togo, including payroll and compliance.
Hire in Togo with RemoFirst
RemoFirst simplifies the global hiring process by managing compliance with local labor laws, onboarding, payroll, tax obligations, and employee benefits, including health insurance, on behalf of your company — eliminating the need to set up a local entity.
Book a demo to see how RemoFirst can help you employ and manage global talent in Togo and 180+ other countries.
