Planning travel to Lome? Speak with a security consultant.
Lome is the capital and largest city of Togo, a narrow West African coastal state that serves as a significant regional port hub. The Port of Lome is one of West Africa’s largest deepwater container ports and handles transit goods for several landlocked neighbours including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The city’s security environment reflects the political durability of Faure Gnassingbe’s government – in power since 2005, following his father Gnassingbe Eyadema who ruled from 1967 – and the broader West African security trajectory that includes Sahel jihadist spillover affecting Togo’s north.
For corporate visitors to Lome, the primary security considerations are petty crime prevention, protest-avoidance awareness, vetted transport, and appropriate residential security for longer stays. The FCDO advises exercising a high degree of caution in Togo (FCDO Togo travel advice, 2026). The US State Department advises Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2, 2026), and lists the northern border region near Burkina Faso and areas north of Kande as Do Not Travel (Level 4).
Executive protection and security driver services for Lome are available through operators working with licensed Togolese security companies. For regional security context, see our security services in Accra and our Cotonou security briefing.
What are the main security threats in Lome?
Political Tension and Protest Risk
Togo has been governed by the Gnassingbe family since 1967 -- Faure Gnassingbe assumed the presidency after his father's death in 2005 and was re-elected in 2020. Significant protest movements occurred in 2017 and 2018, calling for presidential term limits and constitutional reform. The security forces have used force to disperse demonstrations. Protests can occur at short notice and localised violence has occurred at flashpoints. The FCDO advises exercising a high degree of caution in Togo (FCDO Togo travel advice, 2026).
Petty Crime and Opportunistic Theft
Lome experiences elevated petty crime targeting foreign nationals, including bag-snatching, pickpocketing in crowded markets, and vehicle break-ins. The beach area, Be market, and Grand Marche are commonly cited for opportunistic incidents. Incidents are more frequent after dark and in poorly lit outer districts.
Northern Sahel Spillover
While Lome itself is far from the affected areas, Togo's northern regions -- particularly the Savanes region bordering Burkina Faso -- have experienced spill-over from the Sahel jihadist insurgency. The FCDO advises against all travel to the Savanes region. The US State Department lists the northern border region near Burkina Faso, and areas north of Kande, as Do Not Travel (Level 4, 2026) because of terrorism and kidnapping risk. The Savanes region is under a state of emergency, and foreigners need special authorisation from the Government of Togo to travel there. This does not directly affect Lome but represents the broader national risk trajectory.
Road Safety and Traffic
Road traffic accidents are among the leading causes of injury to foreign nationals in Lome. Motorcycles (zemidjans) are a principal mode of transport and contribute to road incident rates. Inter-city road travel, particularly at night, carries elevated risk. US State Dept Level 2 advisory for Togo (2026) notes road safety as a concern.
Vetted operators with direct experience in Lome
What security services are available in Lome?
Executive Protection
Residential and mobile close protection for senior executives visiting Lome for port-sector, energy, and financial services engagements.
Security Drivers
Vetted security transport for Lome airport transfers, port visits, and inter-city movement.
Residential Security
Residential security surveys and guard-force management for expatriate housing in Lome.
Risk Assessment
Pre-deployment risk assessment for organisations entering Togo or expanding West African operations.
What are the rules for private security in Lome?
Key regulatory requirements for operating security services in Lome.
Firearms Policy
Whether private security staff in Togo may carry firearms, and under which authorisation, could not be confirmed against a primary source on 14 October 2026. Most commercial deployments in Lome use unarmed guards. Any armed element, and the permit behind each weapon, must be confirmed in writing before an assignment starts.
Licensing
The Association Professionnelle des Entreprises de Securite Privee du Togo (APESPOT) is, as its name says, a professional association of private security companies rather than a licensing body. The law and the authority that license private security in Togo could not be confirmed against a primary source on 14 October 2026. Ask any provider for its licence and the issuing authority, and take local legal advice before engagement.
Foreign Operators
The rules for foreign security companies and foreign protection officers in Togo could not be confirmed against a primary source on 14 October 2026. Work through a licensed Togolese company and take local legal advice before a foreign team carries out protective duties.
Which areas of Lome carry elevated risk?
Lower-Risk Areas
- Hotel Ibis Lome, 2 Fevrier district, and the Boulevard du 13 Janvier corridor are relatively well-policed during daylight hours.
- The beach areas adjacent to major hotels have reasonable security during daytime hotel operations.
Elevated-Risk Areas
- Grand Marche and Be market: petty crime risk, crowded environment requiring heightened personal security awareness.
- Outer residential districts after dark: reduced police presence.
- Northern Togo (Savanes region): FCDO against all travel due to Sahel jihadist spillover.
Deploying to Lome? Get a vetted close protection detail.
Request ConsultationWho do you call in an emergency in Lome?
Police
117
Fire service
118
Medical emergency
112
CHU Sylvanus Olympio
+228 22 21 25 01
CHU Sylvanus Olympio, Tokoin (second listed line)
+228 22 21 08 48
Clinique Biasa, Nyekonakpoe (private: intensive care, surgery, traumatology, imaging)
+228 22 53 37 37
Polyclinic St Joseph, Tokoin Hedzranawoe (general surgery and traumatology)
+228 22 26 94 42
Ambulance (national medical emergency number)
8200
What travel advisories apply to Lome?
- The FCDO advises exercising a high degree of caution in Togo and against all travel to the Savanes region in the north. Source: FCDO Togo travel advice (2026).
- The US State Department advises Exercise Increased Caution in Togo (Level 2), and lists the northern border region near Burkina Faso and areas north of Kande as Do Not Travel (Level 4) (2026).
- Demonstrations and political protests can occur at short notice in Lome. Avoid large gatherings and monitor local news sources for developing situations.
- Medical facilities in Lome are below Western standards. CHU Sylvanus Olympio is the principal public hospital. Medical evacuation to Accra, Ghana, or Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is standard for serious cases.
- Lome Tokoin International Airport (LFW) provides connections to regional hubs. Pre-arrange vetted transport for airport arrivals and departures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current security situation in Lome?
Is close protection available in Lome?
What are the risks of the Sahel insurgency for Lome?
What medical options are available in Lome?
This page is published by CloseProtectionHire.com and written to editorial standards overseen by James Calloway, Senior Security Consultant (regulation, licensing, vetting and risk frameworks) and Marcus Webb, Security Operations Adviser (operational close protection, secure transport and city-specific safety).
Threat, regulatory and emergency information is sourced to named, dated authorities such as the FCDO, the US State Department and national licensing bodies. Last updated . See how we verify.