Togo and Benin Join Forces to Protect Mono River Basin

Agriculture

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 18:54

Togo and Benin Join Forces to Protect Mono River Basin

Togo and Benin launched a joint process to develop a strategic plan for sustainable management of the Mono River Basin.
The basin spans 24,300 km², supports over 3.5 million people, and faces threats from deforestation, soil degradation, and climate change.
The process relies on a Cross-Border Diagnostic Analysis (ADT) to guide national and transboundary policies with pilot local projects.

Togo and Benin launched on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, a joint process to create a strategic plan for the sustainable management of the Mono River Basin. The initiative began at a workshop organized by the Mono Basin Authority (ABM) with support from the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) and will run until Saturday, November 15.

The process uses a Cross-Border Diagnostic Analysis (ADT) to identify environmental, socio-economic, and climate threats affecting the basin. It aims to clarify the causes of these challenges and propose shared solutions. Authorities seek coordinated and equitable use of water resources while preserving biodiversity and protecting local populations.

The Mono River Basin covers roughly 24,300 km², with nearly 88% located in Togo. It sustains more than 3.5 million residents and supports critical sectors including agriculture, fishing, hydroelectric energy, and drinking water supply. The region faces growing pressures from deforestation, soil degradation, and climate change effects.

Nicolas Dadja Gnakpaou, Executive Director of ABM, said the ADT will produce a reference document to guide the development of a strategic action program, shaping both national and transboundary policies.

Apolline Bambara, an OSS expert, highlighted that the process, rooted in long-standing bilateral cooperation, “will transform challenges into concrete solutions through local pilot projects.”

This article was initially published in French by R.E.D

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum

REFORMS OVERVIEW

STARTING A BUSINESS (more info)

At the fifteenth position, worldwide, and first in Africa, under the Starting a Business index of the 2020 Doing Business ranking, Togo sustains its reformative dynamics with more reforms….

ENFORCING CONTRACTS (more info)

Compared to some years ago when it was one of the lowest rankers under the Doing Business’ Enforcing Contracts indicator, Togo, leveraging many efforts to improve its business climate, was able to jump significantly on the index in the recent years... .

CONTRACT EXECUTION (more info)

Creation of special chambers of commerce for small debts • Creation of chambers of commerce at the Court of Appeal • Civil and commercial cases now handled by distinct clerks • Establishment of commercial courts in Lomé and Kara • Lawyers and bailiffs now have access to the FORSETI COMMERCIAL platform • A maximum period of 100 days was fixed to settle a commercial dispute .

TRADING ACROSS BORDERS (more info)

In comparison to previous years,Togo has significantly improved its ranking under the“Trading across borders” indicator by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

In comparison to previous years, Togo has significantly improved its ranking on the “Trading across borders” index by adopting multiple reforms that focus mainly on the digitalization and reduction in delays, for import and export procedures related to import and export.

CONSTRUCTION PERMIT (more info)

After moving from the 133rd to 127th place under the 2020 Doing Business’ construction permit index, Togo intends to reiterate this feat in the coming edition of the global ranking. To this end, it has introduced this year multiple reforms.

GETTING ELECTRICITY (more info)

Over the past two years, Togo’s ranking under the Doing Business’ Getting electricity and water indicator has increased consistently. Owing this performance to multiple reforms aimed at making it easier for businesses to access power and water, Lomé plans to introduce even more reforms this year to keep up its improvements.

REGISTERING A PROPERTY (more info)

Out of all the 'Doing Business’ indicators, Property Registration is where Togo has improved the most since 2018. Indeed, after spending years in the lowest part of this ranking, the country now seeks to beat Rwanda which is the best performer on this index in Africa. To do so, Lomé has been introducing many reforms, with the latest batch implemented this year.

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT (more info)

From professionalization to digitization, through legislative regulations, Togo’s public procurement framework is constantly being modernized. Several reforms have been implemented to improve the sector much to the benefit of the private sector, which is the focus of the National Development Plan.

PAYING TAXES AND DUTIES (more info)

To improve its business environment, Togo introduced some important reforms related to the payment of tax and duties. From the replacement of some taxes to the cancellation of others through exemptions, the country has only one objective: offer the most attractive tax framework to investors and economic operators. To achieve this, the authorities relied on digitization.