News
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.
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UNOC 3: WACA Puts Coastal Resilience at the Forefront of Sustainable Coastal Development in West Africa
On the occasion of the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) organized a side event on June 13 in Nice under the theme: “Coastal Resilience as the Foundation of Coastal Development.”
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The WACA Project closes six new coastal breaches to protect Nouakchott from rising sea levels
Following the successful closure of three major breaches, the WACA project in Mauritania has launched work to seal six additional breaches along the coastal dune system that shields Nouakchott. The goal: to strengthen the capital’s resilience to increasing risks of flooding and marine intrusion.
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In Mauritania, WACA takes action against plastic bags
On Oceans Day, August 8, 2025, the WACA project and the Mauritanian Ministry of the Environment launched a major awareness campaign against the dangers of using plastic bags.
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WACA progress and outlook discussed in Bissau
The Regional Steering Committee (CRP) of the WACA Projects held its first meeting of the year from June 30 to July 4, 2025, in Bissau, Republic of Guinea-Bissau.
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Protecting Grand-Lahou: The Minister of Environment and the World Bank visit the coastal stabilization works
The Ivorian Minister of Environment, Sustainable Development, and Ecological Transition, Mr. Jacques Assahoré Konan, and World Bank Vice President for West Africa, Mr. Ousmane Diagana, visited Grand-Lahou on June 28, 2025, to assess progress on critical coastal stabilization works under the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA).
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WACA Convenes First National Assembly Forum to Discuss Project Objectives and Activities
The WACA Project convened a joint forum of the National Assembly Select Committee on Environment, Sustainable Development and NGO Affairs, and the Select Committee on Monitoring the Implementation of Government Projects. The meeting, held on February 25, 2025, was intended to brief the committees on the WACA Project’s objectives, initiatives, challenges, and expected impact.