Rehabilitation of Lake Ahémé

Lake Ahémé in southern Benin is an important natural reservoir that has been suffering from heavy sedimentation for years - with serious ecological and economic consequences: restricted shipping, declining fish stocks, increasing flooding and a noticeable deterioration in water quality. The rehabilitation of the lake and its canals is a key initiative of the Beninese government, with far-reaching ecological and socio-economic impact. An important milestone was reached in April 2025: during an official ceremony in Djondji-Houncloun, the successful completion of the pilot phase of the rehabilitation project was celebrated. This initial stage includes the dredging of 235 hectares of water, the construction of two piers and four landing sites, the reforestation of mangroves and the establishment of protection zones. On behalf of the Ministry of Quality of Life and Sustainable Development, Inros Lackner Togo is responsible for technical supervision, quality control, compliance with environmental and social standards, and communication with affected communities.

The ceremony, led by José Tonato, Minister of Living Environment and Sustainable Development, brought together numerous government representatives, local and traditional authorities, technical partners, and many citizens of the region. The community expressed great relief and gratitude at the start of this long-awaited project.

The next phase of the project, which will now begin, involves extending the dredging work from the village of Docloboé to the Bouche du Roy estuary - an ecologically important area for coastal protection and fish migration between the ocean and inland waters. On behalf of the Ministry of Quality of Life and Sustainable Development, Inros Lackner Togo is responsible for technical supervision, quality control, compliance with environmental and social standards, and communication with affected communities.

Christian Komla Esser, Managing Director of INROS LACKNER Togo, emphasised:
“A project like this is more than just a construction site. It is an act of commitment to future generations – a concrete contribution to food security, riverine mobility, and the protection of local biodiversity. INROS LACKNER Togo is working with determination to ensure the success of this mission. At every stage, we stand alongside the client and all stakeholders, listening closely to the people. Together, we can turn this dredging project into a good example of how economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand.”

The dredged material of around 4 million cubic metres of lagoon sand will be used to stabilise the coastline between Docloboé and the Bouche du Roy estuary, which has been weakened by erosion. Around 100 hectares of backfill area will serve as temporary storage for the dredged material.