Togo launches elite agricultural engineering program with French partner

An innovative academic alliance has been forged in Lomé to elevate agricultural education in Togo. The Scientific Group SIGMA and France’s École Supérieure des Agricultures (ESA) have entered a groundbreaking partnership to cultivate the next generation of agronomists through a specialized scientific preparatory program.

Scheduled to commence in the 2026-2027 academic year, this initiative marks a significant milestone in addressing the growing demand for highly skilled agricultural professionals across West Africa. The collaboration aims to equip graduates with the expertise needed to drive agricultural, food system, and environmental transformations across the continent.

Building a new pathway for scientific excellence

The partnership introduces a rigorous two-year preparatory curriculum designed to fortify the scientific foundations of recent high school graduates, particularly those with a background in science. This foundational phase will cover essential disciplines such as biology, chemistry, and physics, all tailored to the needs of modern agriculture.

Upon completion, students will seamlessly transition into a three-year engineering program at ESA in France. Graduates will earn the prestigious title of ingénieur agronome, positioning them to lead agricultural innovation in Togo and beyond.

Connecting science to agricultural progress

The initiative’s vision is to bridge scientific excellence with practical agricultural development. As Dr. Ingénieur Beaugrain Domongue, Director of Development and Foresight at SIGMA, emphasized, the goal is to foster innovation among producers and enhance food sovereignty through science and technology.

« We are committed to linking academic rigor with real-world agricultural challenges. This partnership will empower our graduates to become catalysts for change, leveraging advanced knowledge to modernize farming practices and secure our food future, » he stated.

Leveraging ESA’s world-class expertise

The collaboration will see ESA contribute its globally recognized pedagogical strengths through:

• Development of updated training curricula aligned with international standards
• Capacity-building workshops for local educators
• Participation in academic evaluations and jury assessments
• Annual Summer Workshops at ESA’s campus in Angers, France

The curriculum will emphasize life sciences, sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and agri-food innovation, utilizing cutting-edge teaching methods that have established ESA as a leader in agricultural education.

A five-year journey to agricultural leadership

The complete program spans five years, culminating in a globally recognized engineering degree. The first two years focus on foundational sciences and agricultural fundamentals, while the final three years at ESA provide specialized training in agronomy, agribusiness, and sustainable food systems.

This initiative directly responds to the urgent need for agricultural experts capable of navigating climate change, technological disruption, and evolving food security challenges in Africa. Graduates will be uniquely positioned to contribute to national development plans and regional agricultural policies.

SIGMA: shaping Togo’s scientific future

Established in 2018, the Scientific Group SIGMA has quickly risen as a beacon of academic excellence in Togo. With a network encompassing primary, secondary, and preparatory education, SIGMA is dedicated to nurturing a new cadre of scientists, engineers, and innovators.

The institution’s mission is clear: to cultivate problem-solvers equipped to address the 21st century’s most pressing challenges through rigorous academics, hands-on research, and international collaboration. This partnership with ESA represents another step toward realizing that vision.