Togo reaches a new milestone in the transit and logistics sector with the accession of the Professional Union of Customs Brokers (UPRAD) to the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA). For the organization’s president, Patrick Magnon, this advancement goes beyond the protocol: “Membership in FIATA is not an end in itself. It marks the beginning of a new stage,” he says in this interview with Financial Afrik.
What does this membership represent for you, personally and for UPRAD-TOGO?
First and foremost, it is a great source of pride, both personally and for the entire UPRAD-TOGO. But beyond pride, we see this membership as a new responsibility and a strategic step in the development of our organization and our profession. It opens the doors to a truly international dimension, with the opportunity to exchange with over 150 member countries, strengthen our representation, and further amplify Togo’s voice in the fields of logistics, transit, and foreign trade. Today, UPRAD-TOGO is turning a new page in its history.
What are the concrete benefits of this membership for Togolese professionals?
This membership is an additional tool for us to pursue our vision: that of a more modern, stronger profession that is more open to the international community. Concretely, it will allow us to develop the skills of our members, access more training, strategic information, and international best practices. This will enhance our professionalism, improve our value-added, and increase our ability to contribute to trade facilitation and the logistics competitiveness of Togo. In reality, a country’s competitiveness does not only depend on infrastructure; it also relies on the quality, competence, and professionalism of the actors in the foreign trade chain.
Can you outline the main steps of the process that led to this membership?
This is the culmination of a process that has been ongoing for several years, and I must say that it truly is the result of a collective effort. The support of our sister association in Ghana was crucial. The cooperative dynamic with the GIFF (Ghana Institute Of Freight Forwarders), especially after their visit to Togo in 2023, allowed this ambition to emerge, before being materialized by the signing of a memorandum of understanding in Lomé in September 2025. Our participation in the FIATA World Congress in Vietnam, and then the Headquarter Meeting in Geneva, enabled us to strengthen our contacts and continue the necessary steps. This journey required determination, lobbying, missions, personal commitment, but today we are particularly pleased to see the realization of this initiative.
What are your prospects after this membership?
The prospects are clear: stay the course. This membership is not an end in itself; it marks the beginning of a new stage. A stage during which we want to further strengthen the profession, develop the skills of our members, promote international openness, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our professional environment. We also want to strengthen cooperation with professional organizations in the sub-region and develop closer relationships with international actors in the sector. Our ambition is for this new international dimension to benefit UPRAD-TOGO, its members, and also enhance Togo’s reputation in the field of foreign trade and logistics.
What do you expect from the authorities?
We already express our deep gratitude to the highest authorities for their attention to the development of foreign trade, logistics, and our profession. From the submission of our application to the actual membership, they spared no effort. What we expect now is for this support to continue, in a spirit of listening, trust, and partnership. We want to continue working with both public and private authorities, as well as with all actors in the logistics chain, to support the ambitions of our country. Because when the profession progresses, when logistics strengthens, and foreign trade becomes more fluid, the entire nation benefits.
Last year, UPRAD launched the construction of its new headquarters in Lomé, a massive investment of 5 billion CFA francs. Should we see a connection?
Regarding the headquarters, I would like to reassure that the funding is secured. We are moving forward methodically, now integrating the new dimension that our membership in FIATA brings. Our goal is for this project to not only be an administrative building, but also a structuring framework to support the professionalization of the sector, particularly through the training and certification of our members. Because if Togo wants to consolidate its position as a regional logistics and commercial platform, it does not only depend on infrastructure: it also depends on well-trained, competent men and women capable of effectively supporting economic operators in their import and export operations. The accredited customs broker is at the crossroads of the various actors in the foreign trade chain.
