Savanes Region

Savanes Region is Togo's northernmost and poorest territory, the semi-arid zone where Sahel climate creates boom-bust agricultural cycles. Annual rainfall drops to 1,000mm (compared to 1,500mm in the south), and erratic dry spells regularly destroy crops, triggering food insecurity that development agencies track as a regional indicator. The Moba and Gourma peoples practice mixed farming and pastoralism adapted to these conditions—livestock provides insurance when crops fail. Savanes borders Burkina Faso, where jihadist insurgency has displaced thousands; refugees cross into Togo, adding population pressure to already stressed resources. The region benefits from proximity to the Kara region's political power (Gnassingbé family patronage extends northward) but infrastructure remains limited compared to the south. Cotton provides the main cash income, though prices fluctuate with global markets. With Togo achieving 6.5% national GDP growth (2024), Savanes sees less benefit—the development gap with Maritime region continues widening. Climate projections suggest worsening drought frequency, raising questions about agricultural viability. By 2026, Savanes faces compounding pressures: Sahel insecurity, climate stress, and youth emigration to Lomé—whether development programs can retain population depends on how quickly infrastructure and irrigation reach the far north.