News
WACA+: Protecting coastlines and creating sustainable jobs in West Africa
The World Bank Group has approved the launch of the first phase of the WACA+ program, with a total financing of $240 million, aimed at strengthening coastal resilience and developing the blue economy in West Africa.
Initially implemented in Benin and Mauritania, the program addresses the interconnected challenges of coastal erosion, flooding, and economic development in coastal areas.
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Dagbe-Neva cooperative distributes first profits in Togo
MOMÉ-KATIHOÉ, Togo – On February 24, 2026, the 75 members of the Dagbe-Neva women’s cooperative gathered in their new, WACA-funded facility to celebrate a major milestone: the distribution of their first collective profits.
Specializing in the production of palm oil within the "Support to Women Transforming Palm Nuts" sub-project, the group—based in the Momé-Katihoé district of the Vo prefecture—has successfully transitioned from individual labor to a structured, income-generating business.
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Towards a regional scientific network serving marine and coastal areas
The Regional Partnership for the Conservation of the Coastal and Marine Zone in West Africa (PRCM) opened, on Wednesday 28 January in Dakar, a two-day workshop dedicated to the General Assembly of the Research and Education Network on Marine and Coastal Sciences.
The meeting brings together researchers, lecturers, experts and institutional partners from several West African countries. It marks a key milestone in efforts to better structure regional scientific research focused on marine and coastal ecosystems.
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WACA supports ecotourism within the Gorée Marine Protected Area
As part of its efforts to strengthen coastal resilience, the WACA–Senegal project supported, in December, the organization of an ecotourism training workshop for the Management Committee of the Gorée Marine Protected Area (MPA), extended to local tourism stakeholders.
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The Steering Committee approves the 2026 AWPB of the WACA ResIP–Togo Project
The Steering Committee of the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project in Togo (WACA ResIP) held its second ordinary session of the year 2025 on 8 January 2026. The meeting was dedicated to the review and approval of the 2026 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB).
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Togo launches the creation of Its first Marine Protected Area
On September 30, 2025, in Agbodrafo, Togo officially launched the process of creating its first Marine Protected Area (MPA) under the WACA Project. This initiative aims to preserve threatened coastal ecosystems, protect biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of communities living along the coastline.
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Cotonou hosts the 2025 second annual regional steering committee meeting of the WACA program
On 4 and 5 December 2025, Cotonou brought together representatives from the nine coastal countries involved in the WACA ResIP 1 and 2 program, alongside the UEMOA Commission, the World Bank, IUCN, the Abidjan Convention, CSE, PRCM, RAMPAO, and other regional partners. This second annual meeting of the regional steering committee (RSC) strengthened political and technical coordination around key coastal resilience challenges in West Africa.
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Senegal strengthens capacity on Nature-Based Solutions to protect Its coastline
A national capacity-building workshop on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for coastal resilience was held in Dakar from 8 to 12 December, at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition (METE) through the Directorate of Climate Change, Ecological Transition and Green Financing. Organized in collaboration with Invest International (Netherlands) and the Dutch expert consortium NL2120, the workshop benefited from the operational support of IUCN through the WACA program.
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Regional Press Visit: WACA highlights its results in Mauritania
The WACA BAR organized a regional press visit in Mauritania, bringing together journalists and content creators from seven WACA ResIP countries, in collaboration with the WACA Project Implementation Unit (UGP Mauritania).
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Community flood markers: a vital tool to protect populations from flooding
Reducing flood risks is one of the priority areas of intervention under the WACA projects. In this context, 31 community flood markers have been provided to the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) and installed in several localities downstream of the Mono River. Their purpose is to enable communities to monitor rising water levels in real time and take rapid safety measures when needed.
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The first groynes begin to emerge on the Agbodrafo shoreline
Construction works on the initial coastal protection groynes have begun along the beach of Agbodrafo. Two groynes are currently being built simultaneously to accelerate overall progress. The works are being carried out by Boskalis, a Dutch company specialized in coastal protection, with proven experience including the transboundary interventions between Togo and Benin.
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Modern equipment to strengthen Togo’s early warning system
The 31st edition of Radio du Littoral highlighted the efforts of the WACA project to strengthen Togo’s early warning system. Under its Component 2, the project has equipped the National Civil Protection Agency (ANPC) and the National Meteorology Agency (ANAMET) with modern tools to improve disaster prevention and risk management.
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An update on major costal protection works in Nouakchott
Interview with Dr. Dia Abdoul, Deputy Coordinator of the WACA-Mauritania Project
Dr. Dia Abdoul is a geologist by training (Master’s in Natural Sciences, specializing in Petroleum and Phosphate). He pursued advanced studies in marine geosciences, environment, and integrated coastal management (DESA) in Morocco, followed by a PhD in Oceanology in France, specializing in sedimentology, geomorphology, and marine geochemistry.
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In Godjémé, WACA’s multifunctional platforms are transforming community life
The WACA project has installed multifunctional platforms (PTFM) in several localities of Togo—including Godjémé (Yoto), Afito (Yoto), Adamé (Lacs), and Nyamessiva (Avé)—to strengthen livelihoods, improve daily life, and support household economic empowerment.
Powered by solar energy, the platforms provide maize mills, rice and cassava shellers, mobile phone charging stations, machete and knife sharpeners, public lighting, and household electrification—serving as a true driver of local development.
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La Voix du Littoral, Mauritania’s First Media Outlet Dedicated to the Coast
In less than two years, La Voix du Littoral—born from a partnership between WACA Mauritania and Radio Mauritanie—has established itself as the country’s first media outlet entirely dedicated to coastal issues. Since October 2023, nearly one hundred programs have been produced and broadcast in national languages (Hassanya, Pulaar, Soninké, and Wolof), at a pace of four per week. These programs address topics related to the environment, public health, and the impacts of climate change, while also giving communities a platform to voice their concerns.