Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbé reappointed Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe as Prime Minister, making her the first woman to lead a government in West Africa for a second term. This significant appointment comes under the nation’s newly adopted constitution, which shifts Togo from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
Tomegah-Dogbe’s reappointment follows her resignation in March 2024, along with her entire government. Despite stepping down, she was entrusted by President Gnassingbé to manage the country’s current affairs until the formation of a new government. Her return to office underscores her pivotal role in the political landscape of Togo and reaffirms the trust placed in her leadership during a crucial period of transition.
Victoire Tomegah-Dogbe first made history in 2020 when she was appointed as Togo’s Prime Minister, breaking barriers as the first woman to hold this position in the nation’s history. Her political journey is marked by a series of influential roles, starting from her early career at the Togolese Plastics Industry (ITP) as a Supply Manager, eventually becoming General Manager. Her trajectory continued with key positions at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Togo, Congo Brazzaville, Burkina Faso, and Benin, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership as an Assistant Resident Representative in Operations and later as Deputy Resident Representative.
In 2008, Tomegah-Dogbe was appointed Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister, focusing on grassroots development, a role that aligned with her deep commitment to community-based growth and youth empowerment. Her effectiveness in this position led to her being entrusted with managing the Cabinet of the President of Togo, a role she has held with distinction.
Her academic background is as impressive as her career. Tomegah-Dogbe holds a Master’s degree in Economics and Management from the University of Lomé, with additional specializations in General Management, Marketing, and Finance from the Jutland Technology Institute in Denmark. She also completed the prestigious “Orchestrating Winning Performance” program at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Further enhancing her expertise, she earned a Specialized Diploma in Intervention Areas from the Virtual University of Development of UNDP New York, in collaboration with Jones International University.
Tomegah-Dogbe’s reappointment reemphasised her enduring influence and the pivotal role she continues to play in Togo’s political evolution. As the nation navigates its new parliamentary system, her leadership will be crucial in shaping the future of governance in Togo.
