The 9th edition of FIMO, Togo's international fashion festival, didn’t open with a series of fashion shows, but instead with a science symposium organised by the University of Lomé. The theme of the discussion: how to pursue ethical fashion production while Africa continues to be the recipient of thousands of tonnes of the rest of the world’s unsold merchandise? And how to make the most of the rich pool of African design talent? We get some insightful answers from designers, fashion students and academics.

For the ninth edition of FIMO228, Togo's international fashion festival, the event's founder Jacques Logoh is training the spotlight on a diverse cast of models. Larissa Solim Amelete, the face of this year's event, has succeeded in getting her family to support her modelling career, while Cathy Crussy, a TV producer, is in her 50s. Then there's Rebecca Attiogbé, who drives a forklift truck for a day job, and Alex Sef, the androgynous muse for Ethiopian label Afropian this season. FRANCE 24 went to meet them.

In Togo, a young lady is one of the few women to work as a motorcycle cab driver. She is facing gender stereotypes and dangerous traffic. But nothing will stop her to fight for her dream.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Thursday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Thursday.⁣⁣⁣⁣

The Togolese government is taking part in the G-20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative, which suspends payments to bilateral Paris Club creditors from the first of May till the end of the year 2020. Ratings Agency, Moody’s says Togo’s participation in the initiative offers short term liquidity relief but poses risks for the private sector. Lucie Villa, Vice President and Senior Credit Officer at Moody’s joins CNBC Africa for more.

Preliminary result from Togo’s Electoral Commission shows the country’s President, Faure Gnassingbe, with a strong lead of 72 per cent of the vote. Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, an organization that monitors election in Sub-Saharan Africa joins CNBC Africa for more.

Togolese have cast their votes following protests in 2017 and 2018 against President Faure Gnassingbe's rule. Last year, Gnassingbe reformed the West African nation's constitution so he could lead until 2030.

An African success story: Togo's princesses of wax print

Meeting migrant children in Togo who dream of a better life

Every year in Togo, the sea nibbles more than 2 meters of coastline and up to 10 meters in some parts of the coast. Coastal erosion affects all of West Africa and is distorting Togo's landscape and driving out fishing communities.

Brigitte Adjamagbo-Johnson, coordinator of the opposition coalition in Togo condemns the country's new constitutional change, approved by the parliament. The change allows President Faure Gnassingbe, whose family has ruled the small West African country since 1967, to run two more times and potentially remain in power until 2030.