News
The Gambia Strengthens Capacity for Nature-Based Solutions to Urban and Coastal Challenges
From May 26 to 30, 2025, a national training workshop was held in Bakau under the WACA program to enhance the capacity of Gambian stakeholders to apply nature-based solutions (NbS) for urban and coastal resilience. The Project Management Unit in The Gambia organized the event with technical support from IUCN, the NL2120 consortium, and the World Bank. Nearly 50 participants attended, representing government agencies, academic institutions, local authorities, and civil society organizations.
News
Government publishes First Draft of Gambia’s Groundbreaking national land policy
The Ministry of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs has released the first draft of the much-anticipated Gambia’s first-ever National Land Policy, funded by the WACA Project. The policy was published on the Ministry’s website in March for public comments.
News
Major Project Milestone: WACA launches feasibility studies and design of the Kotu stream
The WACA Project has launched feasibility studies and detailed engineering design for the Kotu Stream, marking a major milestone in the project’s efforts to restore and reprofile the Stream. Following an extensive and rigorous recruitment process, a joint venture of three firms – including one local – led by HydroNova was selected in February 2025 to conduct the studies within 12 months.
News
Togo Validates Environmental Audit of Agbodrafo–Sanvee Condji Coastline
On May 15, 2025, Togo’s Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources validated the environmental and social audit report for coastal protection works along the Agbodrafo–Sanvee Condji segment. The validation followed a site visit by an ad hoc committee, which reviewed infrastructure progress and assessed compliance with the project’s environmental and social commitments.
News
WACA ResIP Supports Market Gardeners and Fish Vendors in Gbodjomé–Sanvie Kondji
On May 14, 2025, in Agbodrafo, the WACA ResIP program officially handed over essential work equipment to 30 fish vendor groups and 40 market gardener groups from the Lacs 1 and 3 municipalities. The initiative is part of a social sub-project aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities along the Gbodjomé–Sanvie Kondji coastline, where coastal erosion has disrupted key economic activities.
News
Towards sustainable management of the Baie de l’Étoile nature reserve
On April 10-11, 2025, a stakeholder consultation workshop took place in Nouadhibou to establish a coordinated management approach for the Baie de l’Étoile Nature Reserve. Organized by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, with support from the WACA project, this event represented an important step forward in the preservation of this vital coastal ecosystem.
News
In Grand-Lahou, fishermen return to sea with support from the WACA project
Fishermen in Grand-Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire, are back at sea thanks to new motorized canoes provided through the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Program. On April 3, 2025, the project handed over four artisanal boats to three local fishing cooperatives as part of efforts to restore livelihoods disrupted by coastal stabilization works.
News
São Tomé hosts a knowledge exchange mission on environmental and social safeguards under the WACA program
From May 5–10, 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe hosted a regional knowledge exchange on environmental and social safeguards under the WACA Program. The mission brought together safeguard, social development, and gender specialists from The Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau—countries newly integrated into the ResIP 2 phase.
Organized by IUCN through the WACA Regional Support Office (WACA-BAR), the visit aimed to strengthen the capacities of new project teams by building on São Tomé’s experience implementing safeguard measures under ResIP 1.
News
WACA-Togo supports Its partner radios to strengthen community-based communication
As part of efforts to enhance community awareness on environmental issues along the Togolese coastline, the WACA-Togo project has taken a new step by equipping 11 partner local radio stations with digital tablets. This gesture is part of a broader initiative to actively support the production of high-quality multimedia content — illustrated reports, videos, audio, and photos — which are essential in today’s digital era.
News
Protecting Nouakchott: Mauritania Seals Critical Coastal Breaches
Mauritania is stepping up efforts to protect its coastline from the growing threat of erosion and marine intrusion. On March 10, 2025, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, alongside partners from the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA), led an inauguration ceremony to mark the successful closure of three critical breaches in the coastal dune barrier protecting Nouakchott.
News
In Agbanakin, Restoring a Waterway — and Creating New Livelihoods
In Agbanakin, a riverside village in Benin’s Lacs 2 municipality, local communities are not only helping restore the Gbaga channel — they are finding new ways to turn this environmental effort into economic opportunity.
News
Looking Back: Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Blue Economy Readiness in West Africa (April 2024 Retrospective)
April 2024 was a milestone month for coastal resilience in West Africa. World Bank teams working under the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Program worked alongside regional partners to advance shared priorities: building capacity, strengthening collaboration, and promoting innovation through nature-based solutions and the blue economy.
Nature-Based Solutions in Action
News
The Tannou Crocodile Pond: A New Ecotourism Destination in Benin, Enabled by the WACA Project
Nestled in the Kissamey district of Aplahoué commune, the Tannou Crocodile Pond is emerging as must-visit ecotourism destination. Through the WACA Benin project, this unique natural site is being revitalized to to promote local heritage while improving the livelihoods of surrounding communities.
News
Capitalization of WACA achievements: A three-step process
In the face of major challenges in West African coastal areas – erosion, flooding, pollution – the WACA Program has committed to strengthening community resilience through tailored solutions. After several years of field activities, it is essential to draw lessons from the interventions implemented to optimize their impact and inform future initiatives.
News
Site Meetings: Strengthening Oversight of the Gbaga Channel Dredging
To mitigate coastal risks—particularly flooding—and enhance the resilience of Togolese and Beninese shorelines against climate change, mechanical dredging of the Gbaga channel and the restoration of its surrounding ecosystem are currently underway. This critical sub-project engages key stakeholders to ensure efficient implementation within the established timeline.