The Togolese government has officially launched a new water supply project in Kara, a city in northern Togo, on September 28, 2026. The project, led by the Société togolaise des eaux (SP-EAU), aims to improve access to clean water for the city's residents, who have faced persistent shortages for several years. The project is financed by the Kuwaiti Fund for Arab Economic Development and the Islamic Development Bank.
The project is valued at 27 billion CFA francs and is expected to improve the water supply situation in Kara and its surroundings. The launch of the project was welcomed by local residents, who have long struggled with access to clean water. The minister delegate for water and sanitation attended the launch ceremony, where he was seen breaking ground for the project.
This new project is not the first attempt to address the water shortage in Kara. In 2020, the Projet eau et assainissement au Togo, phase 2 (PEAT 2), was launched with funding from the European Union. The project included the construction of a new water treatment plant, dredging of the water intake, and replacement of valves. However, the project faced delays and was ultimately unable to fully address the city's water needs.
One of the main challenges facing Kara is the limited capacity of the Kozah dam to provide sufficient water for the city's residents. Previous projects have focused on increasing treatment capacity, but have not addressed the underlying issue of limited water resources. In 2019, the minister of rural development and village hydraulics announced plans to drill new boreholes and implement other measures to improve water access in Kara.
Despite these efforts, the city continues to face significant challenges in accessing clean water. In December 2025, a new project was launched to construct 150 boreholes, which aimed to support the water supply to the Kozah dam and improve access to water in various neighborhoods and cantons. The latest project, launched in September 2026, raises questions about the effectiveness and sustainability of previous investments.
The Togolese government has invested heavily in water supply projects in recent years, but the persistence of water shortages in Kara raises concerns about the planning and implementation of these projects. The government must ensure that the new project is effectively implemented and that its objectives are achieved, in order to provide sustainable access to clean water for the city's residents.
The success of the new project will depend on various factors, including the effective implementation of the project, the availability of sufficient water resources, and the ability to maintain and operate the new infrastructure. The residents of Kara eagerly await the outcome, as they continue to face significant challenges in accessing clean water.
Key points
- The Togolese government has launched a new 27 billion CFA franc project to improve access to clean water in Kara, amid persistent shortages.
- The project aims to improve the water supply situation in Kara and its surroundings, but raises questions about the effectiveness and sustainability of previous investments.
- The success of the new project will depend on effective implementation, sufficient water resources, and proper maintenance and operation of the new infrastructure.
