Radio Lomé is a long-standing state-run broadcaster based in the Togolese capital, providing a mix of news, talk shows, music, and government communications. As one of the cornerstones of Togo’s public media system, it serves as a primary channel for official messaging and national cohesion efforts.
Media assets
Radio: Radio Lome
State Media Matrix Typology
Ownership and governance
Radio Lomé is owned and operated by the state, functioning under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communication and Media. Its leadership is appointed directly by the government, a practice confirmed by local journalists interviewed in February 2024, who noted that appointments typically occur without transparent recruitment processes or parliamentary oversight.
In a broader restructuring move, the Togolese government adopted a law in January 2022 mandating the merger of Radio Lomé, Télévision Togolaise (TVT), and Radio Kara into a single national public entity: Radio et Télévision du Togo (RTVT). As of mid-2025, the transition remains incomplete, with no public documentation detailing the operational or editorial integration of the three outlets. Radio Lomé continues to operate under its existing structure, pending full consolidation.
The current Director General (Directeur Général) of Radio Lomé is Mr. Takou Abalo John, as confirmed on the station’s official website in 2025. He frequently appears in connection with staff training sessions and other institutional activities
Source of funding and budget
Like its sister institutions, Radio Lomé is entirely funded by the state, a fact documented by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) in its assessments of African media. The broadcaster relies on direct allocations from the national budget, though specific line items for Radio Lomé have not been published in recent government finance laws.
Between 2017 and 2022, Radio Lomé received a share of US$12 million in Chinese government funding, a sum that was jointly distributed between Radio Lomé and TVT, according to documentation reviewed by the Media and Journalism Research Center. These funds are believed to have supported technical infrastructure, training, and equipment upgrades, although no formal reporting on fund allocation or impact has been released by Togolese authorities.
Editorial independence
Although no legislation explicitly mandates Radio Lomé to promote government viewpoints, the station’s editorial output is heavily shaped by political influence. In practice, both funding mechanisms and government control over managerial appointments act as levers of influence. A February 2024 survey conducted with ten Togolese journalists by the Media and Journalism Research Center confirmed that the broadcaster’s content routinely aligns with the government’s communication strategy and avoids critical coverage.
To date, there is no statute or institutional framework—such as a public service media law, editorial board, or independent regulator—that guarantees or assesses the station’s editorial independence. Radio Lomé operates without external oversight, leaving its editorial direction firmly in the hands of state officials.
July 2025