Esports continues to gain momentum in Togo, marking a significant milestone in the country’s national development. Last Friday, December 19, 2025, at the Kpalimé Grand Stadium, esports was officially introduced as a demonstration sport during the launch of the 2025–2026 School and University Championships (CSU) season.
The ceremony was attended by the President of the Togolese Esports Federation, Steven Dadji, who welcomed the development as a major step forward for the discipline. According to him, the inclusion of esports in the CSU represents long-awaited recognition of the efforts made since the federation’s establishment.
“It’s a pleasure for us, but also a recognition of the actions undertaken. We are very happy to see our discipline included in school and university championships as a demonstration sport,” Dadji said.
This marks the first time esports has appeared within a national school competition framework in Togo. Stakeholders see the move as a strategic opportunity to introduce competitive gaming to a wider youth audience and to position esports as a legitimate sporting pathway.
Steven Dadji emphasized that the federation’s primary objective is grassroots development and long-term capacity building.
“The main objective is the promotion of esports, which is the competitive practice of video games. At the end of this championship, we hope young people will truly embrace the discipline. There will be training, and we want to discover new talents, equip them, and prepare them to compete with countries that are already ahead of Togo.”
Beyond competition, the Togolese Esports Federation is also highlighting the broader social and economic value of esports. Dadji stressed that esports should be viewed not merely as entertainment, but as a viable sector for education, skills development, and job creation.
“We tell young people that video games are a real opportunity. Esports is an opportunity for job creation and training,” he noted.
Just one year after the federation’s creation, this integration into the school and university sports ecosystem signals a decisive step toward establishing esports as a fully-fledged sporting discipline in Togo. By embedding esports within educational institutions, the country is laying the foundation for talent discovery, professional development, and greater international competitiveness in the years ahead.
