Togolese Republic Launches New e-Visa Platform

The Togolese Republic has announced the completion and re-launch of its electronic visa issuance system (e-Visa), Togo VOYAGE. This fully-digitized website marks an important milestone in the government’s Digital 2025 Strategy.

The system will now allow applicants to complete the application process electronically without needing to visit an immigration office or embassy in person. The whole process includes submission of the application, payment, and withdrawal of the e-Visa.

The platform will also allow incoming and outgoing travellers to complete all the necessary health formalities to ensure safe travel, including paying for PCR tests for unvaccinated travellers, which are mandatory on departure and arrival in Togo.

Commenting on the updated Voyage Togo platform, H.E Madam Cina Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Transformation for Togo, said that the country has proven to be an innovator in the field of digitization on the continent and globally.

“As we ambition to become a digital service hub and an international centre for innovation and expertise we are modernizing all sectors of our economy and launching Voyage Togo is one more bold step towards that,” she said.

The intuitive new platform, available in French and English, offers many features such as a “Visa Wizard” which enables incoming travellers to quickly determine whether they need a visa to travel to Togo. It allows travellers to update their information by creating a personal account, consequently saving their personal information such as names, contact details, passport numbers, etc., to avoid refilling all their information for each trip they organise.

Currently, the platform and its supporting mechanism are only deployed at the air borders. However, the government plans to extend it to land and sea borders throughout the year 2022. The project is carried out by the Togo Digital Agency (Agence Togo Digital, ATD), which has been designated as a ‘catalyst for digital transformation in public administration’ in the country.

While many countries provide e-visa services, Togo will be the first country in the world to fully integrate under a single platform, their online visa and immigration application processes with their Covid-19-related policies, significantly easing the application process for future visitors.