📖 About Sokodé

Sokodé is Togo's second-largest city, located in the central region approximately 340 km north of Lomé. With approximately 115,000 residents, this predominantly Muslim city is the capital of the Centrale Region and a major commercial hub connecting northern and southern Togo. The Kotokoli (Tem) people predominate.

The city lies along the main north-south highway, making it a natural trading center. The Fazao-Malfakassa National Park is nearby. Sokodé represents Togo's cultural diversity—Muslim north meeting Christian/animist south, Kotokoli traditions, and central Togo's commercial crossroads.

🏛️ Top Attractions

💼 Economy & Culture

Commerce drives Sokodé's economy—its central location makes it a trading hub. Agriculture includes yams, sorghum, and cotton. Livestock trading is significant. Some light manufacturing and services exist. The city serves administrative functions as regional capital. Transportation services thrive given the highway location.

Kotokoli Muslim culture predominates—Islam shapes daily life. French is official; Tem (Kotokoli) is widely spoken. Traditional fire dances (evala-related) are famous. Food features northern Togolese dishes—fufu, grilled meats, and millet-based foods. The culture blends Islamic observance with vibrant traditional ceremonies unique to the Kotokoli people.

📜 History

The Kotokoli people settled the region centuries ago, establishing a chieftaincy. German colonial rule (1884-1914) brought administrative organization. French mandate (1914-1960) continued development. Islam spread through trans-Saharan trade connections.

Post-independence Togo saw Sokodé grow as a regional center. Political tensions sometimes reflected north-south dynamics. Today Sokodé is Togo's Muslim heartland—central crossroads, Kotokoli culture, and a city bridging the country's diverse regions and religions.