São Tomé Leads Safeguards Exchange for New WACA Countries
From May 5–10, São Tomé and Príncipe hosted a regional exchange under the WACA program, welcoming safeguard and social development experts from The Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau. Through field visits and peer learning, the mission strengthened capacities and fostered collaboration to apply environmental and social standards more effectively across new WACA countries in the ResIP 2 phase.
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Canoes Fuel Comeback for Fishermen in Grand-Lahou
Fishermen in Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire, are charting a new course thanks to the WACA Program. On April 3, four motorized canoes were handed over to local cooperatives, restoring livelihoods disrupted by coastal works—builtuilt with local materials and adapted by artisans.
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Turning Up the Volume: How Local Radios Are Amplifying Resilience in Togo
WACA is helping Togo’s partner radios strengthen community-based communication in coastal areas. With better tools, training, and collaboration, local stations are empowering communities to prepare for climate risks, share critical updates, and shape solutions. It’s local voices—louder, clearer, and more connected—driving resilience where it matters most.
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WACA helps enable Tannou Crocodile Pond: Benin’s New Ecotourism Attraction
The Tannou Crocodile Pond in Benin is transforming into a vibrant ecotourism destination, thanks to the WACA Benin project. Investments in conservation infrastructure, including ponds, observation towers, and a management facility, are restoring the crocodiles’ habitat while fostering sustainable tourism.
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Côte d’Ivoire: Income-Generating Activities as a Pillar of Community Resilience of Grand-Lahou
Coastal erosion and climate change threaten livelihoods in Côte d’Ivoire. WACA's Income-Generating Activities initiative is transforms lives and boosting economic resilience of communities in Grand-Lahou by supporting sustainable market gardening, fishing, and artisanal trades.
Read MoreNews & Events
On May 14, 2025, in Agbodrafo, the WACA ResIP program officially handed over essential work equipment…
On April 10-11, 2025, a stakeholder consultation workshop took place in Nouadhibou to establish a…
On May 15, 2025, Togo’s Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources validated the environmental and…
From May 5–10, 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe hosted a regional knowledge exchange on environmental and…
Fishermen in Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire, are back at sea thanks to new motorized canoes provided…
Key Facts & Figures
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56%
Coastline in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo subject to an average erosion of 1.8 m per year
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US$1.4 billion
Cost of air, water and waste pollution cost in 2017 to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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13,000 deaths
Occur in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo primarily due to floods, air and water in 2017
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$3.8 billion
The cost of erosion, flooding and pollution cost to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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56% GDP
Generated by West Africa Coastal Areas
COASTAL CHALLENGES IN WEST AFRICA
Coastal erosion and flooding in West Africa severely threaten people’s communities, livelihoods, safety and investments. About 56% of West Africa’s GDP is generated in coastal provinces, where one-third of the population resides. Stronger storms and rising seas are wiping out homes, roads and buildings that have served as landmarks for generations. Some beaches are deeply mined for sand, protective mangroves are deforested, and people are increasingly vulnerable to the impact of climate change. Some residents have no choice but to move away—a trend that is breaking up communities and changing the social fabric for future generations.
Rapid and often unplanned urbanization has devastated the natural landscape that once served as a buffer for erosion and flooding. These developments disproportionately affect the poorest and most marginalized, and will intensify due to climate change. While countries have started to contain erosion and flooding, there is an urgent need for partners to mobilize financing through coordinated regional action. Collaboration at the policy and technical levels helps countries to manage erosion hotspots, and to maintain the livelihoods that a healthy coastal ecosystem provides to people and economies.
