From the salty breeze off Lomé’s Atlantic shore to the warm scent of wood smoke in the craft quarter of Kpalimé, Togo greets you in textures and aromas.

Walk into the Grand Marché in Lomé and the air fills with the bright tang of fresh ginger, the musk of handcrafted leather, and the cottony weight of handwoven cloths draped in every color of the Ewe and Kabiye palettes.

In the hill towns around Kpalimé and the lakeside lanes of Togoville you’ll run your fingers over indigo-dyed batik and smooth, polished wood carved by craftsmen who learned their trade from elders; in the north, raffia baskets and metalwork catch the late sun.

If you’re wondering what to buy in Togo to bring a piece of its spirit back home, read on—these finds capture the country’s traditions, materials, and markets.

Here’s what to buy in Togo to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Ewe & Kente Handwoven Cloth

Why pick this up:
Handwoven kente and Ewe cloths are living pieces of Togolese identity—bright stripes and geometric blocks made for ceremonies and everyday wear. The patterns tell stories and are woven on narrow looms by artisans in regions like Atakpamé and Kpalimé.

What to look for:
Seek tightly woven selvedges, natural dye spots (especially indigo), and traditional motifs that indicate a local weaver rather than a machine-made print. Ask the seller about the village or weaver to confirm provenance.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 10,000–60,000 for full-length cloths; smaller panels from XOF 3,000–10,000. Where to find it:
Grand Marché (Lomé), Atakpamé weaving centres, Kpalimé craft stalls and regional artisan markets.

2. Indigo and Batik Textiles

Why pick this up:
Togolese batik and tie-dye carry deep indigo blues and earthy wax-resist motifs that make striking scarves, wall hangings, or cushion covers. Kpalimé and Lomé studios still follow traditional waxing and dyeing techniques that produce unique color depth.

What to look for:
Look for uneven dye drifts, cracked-wax patterns, and natural indigo shades; uniformity usually signals machine printing. Check the back for residual wax and slight color bleed, signs of handwork.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 2,000–12,000 depending on size and intricacy.

Where to find it:
Artisan stalls in Kpalimé, Lomé’s Grand Marché, boutique batik workshops and weekend craft markets.

3. Agate and Trade Beads

Why pick this up:
Glass and agate beads are part of West Africa’s centuries-old bead trade and make colorful necklaces, waiststrings, and heirloom pieces. Togolese markets offer both locally restrung beadwork and rare trade beads with layered histories.

What to look for:
Older Venetian or chevron trade beads show irregularities and layered mouth-blown patterns; modern beads are more uniform. Ask vendors about bead age and check stringing quality and clasps.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 500–20,000 depending on rarity and number of beads.

Where to find it:
Grand Marché (Lomé), Kpalimé artisan stalls, and specialist bead sellers around Atakpamé.

4. Handcarved Wooden Masks & Figures

Why pick this up:
Carved masks and figures reflect religious and communal traditions—from Ewe ancestral pieces to Kabye carvings—carrying the grain and scent of local hardwoods. They make striking home décor and conversation pieces.

What to look for:
Choose pieces with visible tool marks, natural wood grain, and patina rather than perfect machine finishes. Ask about the wood species (teak, iroko, or local hardwoods) and whether the carving is made by a named artisan.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 4,000–50,000 depending on size and intricacy.

Where to find it:
Kpalimé woodcarvers, Lomé craft stalls, local artisan villages and weekend markets.

5. Kpalimé Woodcarvings & Sculptures

Why pick this up:
Kpalimé has a reputation as an artists’ town; small, tactile sculptures and household carvings from local woodworkers are particularly refined. They often blend traditional motifs with contemporary shapes.

What to look for:
Look for dense, finely sanded wood with signs of local finishing oils and hand-tooling. Confirm the item was locally carved rather than imported from neighboring countries.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 3,000–30,000 for tabletop pieces.

Where to find it:
Kpalimé artisan quarter, Lomé galleries, and craft fairs.

6. Shea Butter & Organic Skincare

Why pick this up:
Pure shea butter from Togo’s northern regions is rich, unrefined, and ideal for skin and hair; many small cooperatives sell traditionally processed jars. It’s a practical, locally made product that supports women’s groups.

What to look for:
Prefer raw, ivory-colored butter with a faint nutty smell and no additives; inquire about cooperative sourcing and small-batch processing. Avoid opaque jars without ingredient lists if you want pure shea.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 1,000–6,000 per jar.

Where to find it:
Grand Marché (Lomé), Kara regional markets, cooperative stalls and museum shops.

7. Togo Coffee & Cocoa (Single-Origin)

Why pick this up:
Coffee and cocoa from the Plateaux region around Kpalimé and Danyi have a distinct profile—earthy, floral notes for coffee and fruity, complex cocoa for small-batch chocolate. Packaged beans or artisanal chocolate bars are great luggage-friendly gifts.

What to look for:
Buy roasted coffee in sealed bags with roast date and origin and cocoa/chocolate that lists local cocoa percentage. Avoid loose, pre-ground coffee with no origin info.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 2,000–8,000 for specialty bags or bars.

Where to find it:
Kpalimé producers, Lomé speciality shops, airport duty-free for sealed bars.

8. Akpeteshie & Local Spirits (Bottled)

Why pick this up:
Akpeteshie is a traditional distilled spirit made from palm wine or sugarcane; bottled versions from reputable producers give a fiery, authentic taste of Togolese celebrations. It’s a cultural souvenir for connoisseurs of regional liquors.

What to look for:
Buy commercially bottled varieties with labels and producer names to ensure safety and traceability; avoid unlabelled home-distilled bottles for transport and customs reasons.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 3,000–10,000 per bottle.

Where to find it:
Lomé shops, regional markets, and licensed producers—be mindful of customs rules.

9. Raffia & Woven Baskets from the North

Why pick this up:
Raffia baskets and mats from northern Togo are woven with fine patterns and practical shapes—perfect for shopping, storage, or décor. The tactile quality of raffia fibers and the natural dyes make them visually warm and durable.

What to look for:
Check for tight, even weaving, sturdy rims, and secure handles; natural undyed raffia and vegetable-dyed pieces often indicate local techniques. Watch for synthetic blends if you want authentic raffia.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 2,000–15,000 depending on size and complexity.

Where to find it:
Kara market, Lomé Grand Marché, and northern craft villages.

10. Brass Jewelry & Metalwork

Why pick this up:
Brass bracelets, pendants, and small casting work reflect local metalworking traditions and simple geometric motifs that pair well with contemporary wardrobes. The warm weight and patina of brass give items an heirloom feel.

What to look for:
Favor pieces with hand-hammered textures, solid closures, and signs of artisanal finishing rather than mass-produced plating. Ask about the casting technique (lost-wax, hammering) to gauge authenticity.

Price bracket (2025):
XOF 1,500–25,000 depending on size and technique.

Where to find it:
Craft stalls in Lomé, Kara metalworkers, artisan markets and gallery cooperatives.

Quick tip: Bring small bills, a reusable tote for free-market buys, and a camera for bargaining stories—you’ll want to remember who made what. 🧺

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Togo’s shopping culture blends open-air market bustle with village-based craft traditions.

In Lomé, the Grand Marché and the Akodessawa fetish market (Marché des Fétiches) are sensory centers where incense, palm oil, and bead merchants jostle with textile and food stalls.

Upcountry, towns like Kpalimé and Atakpamé are known for artisan workshops and weekend bazaars where you can watch weaving and woodcarving in progress.

Bargaining is common in many markets, start lower and meet in the middle and artisans often sell directly from family workshops, especially in Kpalimé.

Traditional crafts are influenced by Ewe, Kabye, and northern ethnic groups, so you’ll find regional specialities. Indigo and batik in the plateaux, carved wood in the south, and raffia and leatherwork in the north.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for maker marks, visible tool marks, and natural materials (cotton, indigo, raffia, teak or iroko wood, raw shea) as signs of genuine craftsmanship. Ask vendors about the village or cooperative, named producers and explanation of technique (e.g., wax-resist batik, backstrap or narrow-loom weaving, lost-wax casting) often indicate authenticity.

Avoid items that look overly uniform, plasticky, or come in sealed factory packaging without origin details; for foods, check roast dates and ingredient lists, and prefer sealed jars or labeled packages to avoid customs issues.

Where to Shop in Togo

• Grand Marché, Lomé (the central, sprawling market for textiles, beads, and foodstuffs)
• Akodessawa Fetish Market (Lomé) for ritual carvings and spiritual objects
• Kpalimé artisan quarter and weekend craft markets (woodcarving, batik)
• Atakpamé weaving centres (traditional cloth and looms)
• Kara regional market and northern craft stalls (raffia baskets, leather)
• Musée National du Togo museum shop and Lomé airport duty-free for sealed speciality foods and packaged gifts

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Togo expensive?
A: Prices vary widely; you can find small beads or shea butter for under XOF 2,000, while high-quality handwoven cloth or large sculptures cost tens of thousands of XOF. Bargaining is common in markets to reach a fair local price.

Q: Is bargaining common in Togo?
A: Yes—especially in open-air markets like Grand Marché. Start about 20–30% below the asking price and negotiate politely; fixed-price shops and museum stores are less negotiable.

Q: How do I know if items are locally made?
A: Ask about the artisan or village, inspect for hand-tool marks and natural materials, and buy from known craft centres (Kpalimé, Atakpamé) or cooperatives to ensure local provenance.

Explore Togo’s local shopping scene and discover what to buy in Togo.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!