Science, technology and education for leadership from Lomé for Africa (STELLA)

Context

Togo aims to strengthen its industrial and technological development, but faces a shortage of technical and engineering skills suited to market needs. The École polytechnique de Lomé (EPL), founded in 2021, embodies this ambition, but suffers from outdated infrastructure, a limited autonomy in governance, a curriculum that lacks professional orientation, and the low inclusion of young women. 

The Science, technology and education for leadership from Lomé for Africa (STELLA) project addresses these challenges by modernising the EPL and transforming it into a centre of excellence aligned with national priorities (the government roadmap Togo 2025 and the National Development Plan 2018–2022) and with Sustainable Development Goals 4 (quality education) and 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). It seeks to enhance youth employability, inclusion and innovation, while building on a strategic partnership between Togo and Luxembourg.

Objectives

STELLA’s overall objective is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth, driven by a skilled young population and an innovative industrial base. Its specific objective is to transform the EPL into a benchmark institution, capable of offering professional engineering training, applied research for businesses, and an autonomous and inclusive governance model.

The project is structured around three key results:

• result 1: the EPL delivers engineering programmes and applied research activities aligned with the country’s economic and industrial priorities;
• result 2: the EPL operates according to an effective and inclusive governance and funding model that ensures its sustainability;
• result 3: EPL students and teachers benefit from a sustainable and inclusive learning environment adapted to the growth in student numbers.

STELLA incorporates cross-cutting strategies for gender equality, social inclusion, environmental sustainability and good governance.

Beneficiaries

The direct beneficiaries are the 2,000 targeted students (including a significant proportion of young women), as well as teachers, researchers, and administrative staff at the EPL. Indirect beneficiaries include local businesses, which will gain access to a skilled workforce, as well as families and economic stakeholders across Togo. The project places particular emphasis on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and people with disabilities, through dedicated support and accessibility measures.

Targeted geographical area

The project concentrates its activities in Lomé, the capital of Togo, where the EPL is located (on the University of Lomé campus). This location enables national outreach through digital tools, academic partnerships, and mobility programmes. Lomé offers a dynamic economic environment conducive to collaboration with the private sector in the fields of civil engineering, energy, information and communication technologies, and agribusiness.

Stakeholders

STELLA is implemented in partnership with:

• the Togolese government (Ministry of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Industry and Investment Promotion);
• the private sector (Chamber of Commerce, Association of Large Enterprises of Togo, National Order of Engineers);
• academic stakeholders (University of Lomé, regional centres of excellence, European universities).

The project is based on a collaborative approach involving students, teachers, alumni and local communities to ensure ownership and sustainability of the reforms.