Lomé — June 1, 2026 — Togo has planted nearly 39 million trees since 2021 as part of its ambitious campaign to grow one billion trees by 2030, the Ministry of Environment announced at the launch of National Tree Month 2026. The trees cover more than 49,000 hectares, representing less than 4% of the target, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.
For 2026, the government aims to plant 16.8 million seedlings across 11,250 hectares. Species vary by ecological zone: casuarina and coconut palms along the coast to combat erosion, teak and African mahogany in the Plateaux region to regenerate forests, and neem, acacia, shea, and baobab in central and northern areas to enrich savannah ecosystems and fight desertification.
Environment Minister Dodzi Kokoroko emphasized that reforestation is both ecological and social. “Reforestation is not just an ecological action — it is an act of collective responsibility,” he said, noting that each tree planted helps preserve soils, water resources, and the climate while leaving a legacy for future generations.
The initiative builds on National Tree Day, observed every June 1 since 1977, and has now expanded into a month‑long campaign to intensify reforestation efforts. Citizens, institutions, and organizations are encouraged to participate, reinforcing the collective drive to restore ecosystems and strengthen resilience against climate change.
