Togo

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to Togo based on HIV status.

According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Togo does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.

The official website of the government of Togo provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a tourist visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.

Article 5 of the Decree No. 022-050/PR of 21 April 2022 on the implementation of Law No. 2022-005 of 15 April 2022 on the Aliens Police in the Togolese Republic, details the documents that should be submitted for the visa application and it does not include any documentation concerning the health of the applicant.

We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Togo based on HIV status.

The official website of the government of Togo provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with an immigration visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.

Once in Togo, holders of an immigration visa must complete the residence permit formalities at the Direction Générale de la Documentation Nationale (DGDN) or online.

It is unclear whether Togo imposes restrictions on long-term stay of people living with HIV.

Among the documentation to request a residence permit, applicants should submit a medical certificate less than three (3) months old issued by a sworn doctor.

Article 17 of the Decree No. 022-050/PR of 21 April 2022 on the implementation of Law No. 2022-005 of 15 April 2022 on the Aliens Police in the Togolese Republic, details the documents that are required for residence permit applications, which includes ‘a medical certificate less than three (3) months old issued by a sworn doctor.’

According to this UNDP/UNDESA country report from 2015, the Decree No. 96-113 determining the general conditions for issuing visas and residence permits and establishing special regimes, 1996 established in its ‘Article 4; 12: As a general rule, the delivery of visas and permits is submitted on condition of sufficient financial means, an extract of the police register, and a medical certificate.’

However, such provision disappeared from current Article 5 detailing the supporting documents to obtain a visa from the Decree No. 022-050/PR of 21 April 2022 on the implementation of Law No. 2022-005 of 15 April 2022 on the Aliens Police in the Togolese Republic which repeals the Decree No. 96-113.

New Decree No. 2022-050 maintains the medical certificate requirement in its Article 17 which corresponds to residence permits.

The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Togo. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.

Non-nationals in Togo can access healthcare through the country’s public and private health services, though the system does have some challenges. The healthcare system includes general services as well as a few specialised services in urban centers. Many health facilities, particularly in rural areas, face limitations in infrastructure, equipment, and staff.

For comprehensive and accessible care, some NGOs and international organisations operate programs across the country, especially focusing on health accessibility in underserved communities. For example, Integrate Health provides healthcare services in the northern regions, working with local clinics to improve infrastructure and universal access to healthcare. Urban centres like Lomé have a higher concentration of healthcare facilities. Foreign nationals often seek private clinics for more reliable care, albeit at higher costs, and are advised to have health insurance due to the costs associated with private healthcare.

Access to HIV treatment is facilitated through a range of public health services and community-based support initiatives. Togo’s Ministry of Health, supported by international partners such as UNAIDS and PEPFAR, offers antiretroviral therapy (ART) across various public health facilities and specialised centres in major cities, including Lomé. Specific community organisations like the Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial (ATBEF) also support access to HIV testing, treatment, and adherence programs, especially for high-risk groups such as sex workers and men who have sex with men.

Additionally, the Enhanced HIV/AIDS in West Africa (EAWA) project has worked with local groups to provide peer navigators and case managers who support patients in accessing HIV services, managing adherence, and addressing barriers like stigma. These peer navigators often assist with transportation or accompany individuals to health centres, ensuring they maintain consistent ART access. This tailored support improves the health outcomes for those affected and aims to increase retention in HIV treatment services across the country.

• UNAIDS
• US Department of State
• Official website of the government of Togo
• Decree No. 022-050/PR of 21 April 2022 on the implementation of Law No. 2022-005 of 15 April 2022 on the Aliens Police in the Togolese Republic
• UNDP/UNDESA country report
• Integrate Health
• Association Togolaise pour le Bien-Etre Familial
• Enhanced HIV/AIDS in West Africa

Migrant populations

Refugees and asylum seekers