RAINE project enters operational phase with “Mawuse” tunneling machine

Public Management

Monday, 27 April 2026 17:19

RAINE project enters operational phase with “Mawuse” tunneling machine

(Togo First) - Lomé gained a new tool in its fight against seasonal flooding last week. The Grand Lomé district unveiled a DN 2000 micro-tunneling machine, named "Mawuse," during a ceremony marking the official launch of the RAINE project, short for Réseau d'Assainissement par Intercepteurs pour la Non-inondation de nos Espaces.

The micro-tunneling machine is a remotely operated boring device designed to install underground pipes without disrupting surface traffic or activity. With a diameter of two meters, the equipment will be used to lay drainage networks intended to permanently drain rainwater in flood-prone areas.

The companies overseeing the project also highlighted local industrial benefits, citing job creation and technical skills transfer to Togolese workers.

Seasonal flooding in Greater Lomé regularly causes road damage, asset losses, business disruptions and public health risks. For households and businesses alike, these recurring floods generate significant direct and indirect costs.

The government is presenting RAINE as an investment in urban resilience. "The RAINE project aims to provide a lasting solution to recurring flooding using the advanced technique of micro-tunneling," said Zouréhatou Kassah-Traoré, governor of the Autonomous District of Greater Lomé.

A Major Project Running Through 2028
Launched in July 2025, the project is scheduled to run for 33 months, with a projected completion date of May 1, 2028.

For the authorities, the stakes go beyond drainage. "This major infrastructure project marks a significant step forward in transforming the stormwater management system," said Kodjo Adedze, minister of Territorial Planning and Urban Development.

Greater Lomé encompasses 13 municipalities spread across two prefectures, Golfe and Agoè-Nyivé, surrounding the city of Lomé, with a population of nearly 2.2 million, representing more than a quarter of Togo's total population. It is the country's most populous, most urbanized and most economically active metropolitan area.

In the long term, improved stormwater management is expected to protect infrastructure, reduce flood-related economic losses and boost the area's appeal.

R.E.D

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 .

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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)

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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.