Togo reviews Lomé drainage systems amid flood risks

Public works

Tuesday, 31 March 2026 18:09

Togo reviews Lomé drainage systems amid flood risks

(Togo First) - Authorities in Lomé have stepped up inspections of the city’s drainage infrastructure after heavy rainfall overnight between March 28 and 29, 2026.

Séna Alipui, minister of state for water and sanitation, visited several sites to assess whether flood management systems can handle stormwater runoff.

The tour covered vulnerable areas including Nyékonakpoè beach, a discharge point into the sea, as well as flood-prone neighborhoods such as Boka. The minister also inspected several retention basins, including those in Todman, Awatamé, Agbalépédo and Tokointamé.

These installations are part of a public program aimed at reducing flood risk in the capital. They are increasingly strained by rapid urbanization and more intense rainfall.

At the sites, technical officials were urged to improve response times. “Ensure pumping starts early enough to prevent the basins from overflowing during heavy rains,” the minister said.

Beyond the assessment, the visit aimed to ensure existing installations are functioning properly and to speed up ongoing construction. The Triangle des Rails site, currently under construction, was a particular focus, with instructions to closely monitor progress and meet deadlines.

In southern Togo, these measures come as the 2026 rainy season, from March to July, is expected to bring above-normal rainfall between March and May, with a heightened risk of flooding in coastal urban areas, according to early forecasts. Authorities expect challenges including basin saturation, pressure on sanitation systems and potential risks to residents.

R.E.D

REFORMS OVERVIEW

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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….

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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.

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