Languages in Togo

French dominates formal education and remains the main language of administration. National-language learning is more fragmented: targeted literacy programmes, bilingual pilots and community or non-formal education provide learning in languages such as Ewé and Kabyè/Kabiyè, but no nationwide change to national-language teaching as the main school language has been established. Adult literacy programmes generally serve people aged 15 and above through literacy centres and local providers. Their assessments can include dictation, copying, sentence construction, written arithmetic, reading, comprehension and socio-economic knowledge, but they are not equivalent to a universally established public language diploma. English is expanding in the school system and is also available through private providers. A pilot began in 123 primary schools in 2023–2024, followed by planned preschool and lower-primary expansion in 2024–2025 and further planned primary levels in 2025–2026. The available evidence does not yet establish full nationwide implementation. Schools, including public, private secular and denominational schools, provide access through enrolment rather than a separate nationally documented language fee. English is also taught at the British School of Lomé and its English Language Institute, which offers general English from beginner to advanced levels, courses for young people and professionals, IELTS preparation, and several English assessments. The Institut français du Togo offers group and private French and English courses, Mina initiation, courses for children and adolescents, professional communication, enterprise language training and preparation for French proficiency diplomas. Its DELF and DALF diplomas cover A1 to C2 and have unlimited validity. The TCF and TEF are French tests whose results are generally valid for two years. Listed 2026 fees at the Institut français du Togo were 30,000 FCFA for DELF/DALF A levels, 40,000 FCFA for B levels, 50,000 FCFA for C1, 60,000 FCFA for C2, and 160,000 FCFA for TCF or TEF; dates and fees can change. The English Language Institute listed six-week IELTS preparation at 100,000 FCFA including materials and an IELTS examination fee of 210,000 FCFA. It also offers Aptis assessments from A1 to C1 and tests for primary and secondary learners. Formal higher-education options include a German degree programme at the Université de Lomé and French or English teacher-training programmes at the Institut national des sciences de l'éducation. A comprehensive public course network for Spanish or every Togolese language has not been identified. French is the main language for administration and everyday dealings with public institutions, while English is increasingly linked to employability and international access. Government training has also provided intensive English speaking and writing courses for about 100 public officials, with certificates reported in 2025. Digital learning is developing through national education technology platforms, online teaching and self-assessment tools, connected inspection offices, multimedia centres and distance teacher training. The FOCEN platform and app launched in 2026 support continuing teacher training rather than serving as a dedicated nationwide language-learning app. Internet access, equipment and staff shortages limit consistent digital and rural access. Togo has no general statutory entitlement to a free standalone language course identified in the available research; school enrolment, provider capacity, registration, identity documents and payment rules determine access in the relevant programme.