News & Events

WACA-Resip Côte d'Ivoire project achievements highlighted at national steering committee meeting

WACA Resip Côte d'Ivoire outside after national steering committee meeting.

Bicycle path to promote health in Aného, Togo

Picture of bicycle path built in Aného, Togo to promote health.

Additional protocols ratification: parliamentarians and local councillors sensitized by the Abidjan Convention Secretariat

The Abidjan Convention Secretariat standing outside with parliamentarians and local elected.

Granny Akossiwa gets her smile back thanks to WACA

Granny Akossiwa gets her smile back thanks to WACA with the support of the World Bank.

A break from crushing waves: building resilience in the tropical islands of São Tomé and Príncipe

St Peter’s church serves as the starting point for a yearly ritual invoking God’s protection for…

Key Facts & Figures

  • 56%

    Coastline in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo subject to an average erosion of 1.8 m per year

  • US$1.4 billion

    Cost of air, water and waste pollution cost in 2017 to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo

  • 13,000 deaths

    Occur in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo primarily due to floods, air and water in 2017

  • $3.8 billion

    The cost of erosion, flooding and pollution cost to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo

  • 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.

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The boundaries, colors, denominations and any other information shown on this map do not imply, on the part of The World Bank Group, any judgment on the legal status of any territory, or any endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries