Gate-side souvenirs in T1 before passport control
Artisanat du Togo sits in Terminal T1 at Lomé–Tokoin, with shelves packed tight with Togolese crafts and souvenir items. You’ll see carved wooden masks, beaded bracelets, small textiles, and printed T-shirts aimed at carry-on space, not checked baggage. It’s one of the few spots in LFW where you can grab something that actually says “Togo” on it before you head toward your gate.
Prices run higher than street markets in Lomé; expect small keychains around 1,500–2,500 CFA and larger carved pieces pushing 10,000 CFA or more. Payment usually works in CFA or euros, and some days the card machine functions, some days it doesn’t, so have cash as backup. Stock rotates slowly, so if you see multiples of the same carving or fabric pattern, that’s normal for this shop.
Figure 10–15 minutes to browse Artisanat du Togo properly, including the glass cases at the back with slightly pricier pieces. Quality is mixed: some items are clearly factory-made, others show real handwork in the wood grain or stitching. If you have time in Lomé city before flying, you’ll get better deals downtown, but this shop covers last-minute gifting when you’re already in T1.
One practical tip: check size and fragility against your cabin baggage allowance at LFW, and favor flatter items like fabrics or small jewelry from Artisanat du Togo so you’re not arguing with gate staff over an extra bulky statue.