In 1884 the Germans signed a treaty with a local King on the coast of "Togoland". This treaty promised the inhabitants protection under Germany's sovereignty. Thanks to the Germans, the country experienced significant economic development prior to WW1, but the forced labour, harsh taxes and mass killings endured by the people ensured a red-carpet reception for the British forces who arrived in 1914. With French and English colonies on both sides of the country, the Germans surrendered and suffered their first defeat of WW1.

After the war, Togoland was divided in two, the eastern two-thirds became the British colony of Ghana and the western third became the French colony of Togo. In 1960 Togo gained full independence.

Togo - once the jewel of West Africa in the eyes of many tourists - has suffered an awful lot due to rioting, political turmoil and nation-wide striking which crippled the economy in the 1990's. As a result, for the majority of the Togolese, life was far easier prior to this period. In spite of this, Togo now enjoys a peace that is slowly coaxing back tourism into this laid-back, undeniably charming country.