Togo's banking sector sits within the WAEMU/UEMOA monetary zone — eight West African countries (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo, Niger, Guinea-Bissau) sharing the West African CFA franc (XOF, fixed-pegged to the euro at 655.957) and supervised by the Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO). Lomé is also the headquarters city of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the pan-African banking group, giving Togo outsized weight in regional banking. The Togolese commercial banking landscape is dominated by Ecobank Togo, Orabank Togo, BTCI, Société Générale Togo and Bank of Africa Togo. International wires from the French and broader European Togolese diaspora land via these banks — and since 30 September 2025, BCEAO's PI-SPI rail makes individual wallet-to-wallet transfers across the WAEMU zone free and instant.

How to use a Togo bank SWIFT code

To send an international wire to a Togo bank, you give your sending bank three items: (1) the recipient bank's SWIFT code (8 or 11 characters); (2) the recipient's account number; (3) the full name of the account holder as registered with the bank.

The 8-character SWIFT code identifies the head office. 11-character codes ending in 'XXX' also identify the head office; codes ending in other sequences identify a specific branch. When in doubt, use the 8-character head-office code — the SWIFT system will route correctly.

Typical timing is 1 to 5 business days, depending on intermediary (correspondent) banks involved. Fees vary considerably: a SWIFT wire from a UK bank to an African bank typically costs £15-30 on the sending side plus an FX spread, while a mobile-first operator like Wise or LemFi can be materially cheaper for smaller amounts.

FAQ

How many banks are listed for Togo?

We currently list 7 commercial banks licensed by the BCEAO (Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest). Each SWIFT/BIC code has been verified against two independent sources.

Is the SWIFT code the same as the BIC?

Yes. SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) and BIC (Business Identifier Code) are two names for the same 8 or 11-character identifier standardised by ISO 9362.

Do I need a SWIFT code for an international wire to Togo?

Yes. The sending bank needs the SWIFT code to route the wire through the SWIFT network. You will also need the recipient's account number; some banks also request the bank's full physical address.

Is there a cheaper alternative to a bank wire to Togo?

For smaller amounts to Togo, operators such as Wise, LemFi, Sendwave, and TapTap Send typically offer a rate closer to mid-market and lower fees than a classic SWIFT bank wire. For very large amounts (above $50,000), a SWIFT wire from a bank usually remains the practical choice.

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