Togo is 370 miles south to north, but only has 35 miles of coast on the Gulf of Guinea. It is no surprise then that the coastal region, like many in West Africa, is densely populated, and hosts many villages largely dependent on artisanal coastal fishing.

In this context, IFC led a consortium financing Lome Container Terminal S.A. (LCT), a foreign-owned company that developed a modern container terminal and pier next to Lome’s existing 1960s-era port. LCT has been profitable as it provides services not only for Togo but for neighboring countries, including landlocked countries to the north.