Togo and Benin are collaborating on a new project for the joint management of the Mono Basin’s water resources. A socio-economic project is being developed to establish an integrated management system for the area, addressing environmental, agricultural, and water-related challenges on both sides of the border. The initiative is receiving support from the European Union (EU).
A preliminary meeting took place in Lomé this week between Togolese authorities and an EU delegation. “The aim is to identify the best approaches for implementing a sustainable project around the Mono Basin Authority,” stated Mila Aziablé, Togo’s Minister of Water. Sectoral ministries, including those responsible for agriculture, energy, mines, and the environment, have been engaged to further analyze the situation.
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The project will focus on several key areas, including local governance, flood control, water resource preservation, limiting environmental degradation, and generating reliable data on the basin.
According to Sylvia Favret, the EU’s Sustainable Investment Team Leader, “this will involve prioritizing key infrastructure, around which capacity building and other technical support will be structured.”
Starting Monday, a similar mission will be conducted in Cotonou with Beninese teams as part of this collaborative project.
The Mono Basin, a hydrographic area shared by Togo and Benin, encompasses approximately 24,300 km², with 88% located in Togo. The basin, traversed by a 467-km river, is crucial for agriculture, fishing, water supply, and energy production, particularly through the Nangbeto Dam. While its climate supports rich biodiversity, the basin faces challenges such as flooding, pollution, and population pressure. To address these issues, Togo and Benin established the Mono Basin Authority (ABM) in 2014.
