Zongo, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lomé, Togo has undergone a spectacular transformation since 1979, when its population was estimated at only 1,400 inhabitants. Today, this emblematic neighborhood faces rapid urbanisation, reflecting the dynamics of large African cities. The most recent census reveals that Grand Lomé (the largest urban area in Togo) now has 2,188,376 inhabitants, a growth that directly impacts rapid urbanisation. However, this expansion has led to the occupation of non-developable areas, such as the new Zongo, located in a swampy environment, making access difficult and exposing residents to floods.

Dr. Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe emphasizes that this uncontrolled urbanisation presents serious challenges thus the need to develop plans for urban planning before the occupation of the territories to ensure a decent living environment. Let us discover how these challenges are shaping the future of Zongo and the solutions being considered to improve the lives of its inhabitants.
Past and present crossroads
In the heart of Lomé, the Zongo neighborhood symbolizes the collision of heritage and modernity. Back in 1979, this area had barely 1 400 inhabitants and served as a gathering point for traders and families from all over the region. Today, as Lomé continues to grow, Zongo finds itself at the forefront of rampant urbanisation that constantly reshapes the city’s layout.

The rapid demographic evolution of the city, now home to 2 188 376 residents according to the 2022 census, highlights the challenge of often improvised urban planning. This upheaval fits into a typical context of large African urban areas, where the search for adequate housing and infrastructure confronts historical, economic, and social imperatives.
Multicultural heritage
In the 1970s, Zongo was not just a simple residential area. It rather stood out for its cosmopolitan character, where people from Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and other regions gathered to exchange, build family ties, and strengthen community networks.

This cultural mosaic shaped a welcoming, warm, and dynamic neighborhood, capable of blending tradition with modernity. The unbreakable bond between the residents, sometimes referred to as “the path of the wheel of return,” illustrates a unique phenomenon of gathering by lineage, religion and solidarity. This rich past, though carrying a strong identity, now faces the challenges of uncontrolled urban development.

The most recent census shows a spectacular demographic growth affecting the entire Grand Lomé area. In just a few decades, the population of the Togolese capital has exploded, increasing the number of inhabitants in Zongo by more than 1,500 times.
This rapid population growth places enormous pressure on existing infrastructure. Unfortunately, the unchecked growth often comes at the expense of thoughtful planning, resulting in imbalances and access difficulties, as evidenced by the case of the new Zongo

New Zongo: annherently unwelcoming place

In response to the urgent need to accommodate more people, the population of Zongo has expanded its territory into a new area located in a swampy environment. This “new Zongo” is situated in an undeveloped zone, where the flood-prone land and the lack of basic sanitation infrastructure pose serious concerns.

The daily lives of the residents are defined by nature’s ever-changing moods. “During heavy rains, the access roads turn into real deluges, making movement almost impossible,” says Kalilou, a resident of Niger living in the heart of this zone characterised by makeshift housing. This poignant testimony highlights the risks faced and the precariousness of urban planning that failed to anticipate the climatic and topographical realities.

Call for thoughtful urban planning

The case of Zongo vividly highlights the need for controlled urbanisation. Dr. Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe, an expert in urban sociology, reminds us of these essential observations: “Too often, in Africa, housing precedes planning; we witness the occupation of territories without them being properly developed and equipped for habitation, and this is a major source of vulnerability.”

In the face of this issue, it becomes essential to adopt a proactive approach to urban planning. The idea would be to envision development that integrates basic infrastructure from scratch, notably, sanitation networks, drainage systems, “in order to prevent entire neighborhoods from being at the dire mercy of the climate and flooding.” “Zongo’s experience, with its stark contrast between a rich past and a chaotic present, offers a major lesson for all rapidly growing African cities,” warns Dr. Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe.

Citizen-led initiatives and local solutions

While uncontrolled urbanisation poses serious challenges, it also sparks spontaneous reactions from the residents. Faced with the inability of motorcycle taxis to circulate during heavy rains and the gradual deterioration of infrastructure, some residents are no longer hesitant to take action. For example, the recent installation of a water drainage collector, initiated by a Niger businessman living in the new Zongo, symbolises an ingenious and urgent response to local problems.

These citizen-led initiatives, though occasional, demonstrate the community’s ability for self-management in the face of adversity. They reflect the residents’ desire to contribute, at their own level, to the implementation of solutions that can improve quality of life. However, these actions can never replace a coherent and planned urban policy by the competent authorities.

Towards a new era of urbanisation

The future of Zongo remains closely tied to the evolution of the metropolis (Lomé). As the city stands at a decisive turning point, the need for a modernised and inclusive urbanism becomes imperative. Local stakeholders and experts agree that “urban development cannot be a purely demographic response; it must be the result of a dialogue between anticipated projection and the real needs of citizens,” asserts Anoumou Kouassi Rodolphe.

The challenge now is to transform chaotic urbanization into structured development, ensuring that everyone has a dignified, secure living environment in harmony with the historical heritage of the area.

Zongo stands at a crossroads, between a memorable legacy and the turmoil of frenetic urbanism. The choices made today will definitely determine whether this emblematic neighborhood will manage to preserve its unique identity while adapting to the demands of the 21st century.

This is a major challenge for Lomé and, by extension, for all cities on the continent that must address the challenge of balancing tradition and rapid development. In the face of these profound changes, Zongo’s experience could serve as a model for redefining urbanism in Africa, combining respect for local histories with strategic anticipation of future requirements.