Lomé Talks Explore New Funding for Disability Inclusion in Africa

A regional policy dialogue on financing disability inclusion in Africa opened in Lomé on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Organized by the African Disability Forum, the International Disability Alliance and UNICEF, the three-day meeting has brought together about 40 participants.

Financing at the Center of Discussions

Participants noted that several countries have legal frameworks supporting disability inclusion, but implementation remains constrained by insufficient and fragmented funding. The meeting is examining how to better integrate the needs of persons with disabilities into public budgets and public financial management systems.

The talks also cover additional sources of financing, including mechanisms linked to climate, gender equality, philanthropy and debt.

Togo Highlights Its Existing Programs

In Togo, the discussions come as the government is implementing several initiatives aimed at improving the economic inclusion of persons with disabilities. In June 2026, the government began distributing equipment under the Project to Support the Socio-Professional Integration of Persons with Disabilities, financed with more than CFAF 1 billion. The program targets more than 1 million people.

The country is also preparing a new legal framework on the rights of persons with disabilities, covering areas including health, education, vocational training, employment and social protection.

Kodjo Agbonon, chief of staff at the Ministry of Solidarity, noted that Togo ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2011 and has also ratified the African protocol on the rights of persons with disabilities. The discussions in Lomé are expected to result in a shared African position to support advocacy efforts targeting regional institutions.

Source: TOGO FIRST