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.

The boats were delivered under the project’s Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), which compensates affected communities and helps strengthen their long-term economic resilience. The initiative supports more than 840 cooperative members from Hozalem, Ayoka, and Walê.

Each canoe—19 meters long and made from durable Samba wood—is tailored to local conditions. With a 40-horsepower engine and capacity for up to 20 people, the boats are built for safe and efficient fishing, even in rough waters. Beneficiaries collaborated with local artisans to adapt technical features, ensuring the vessels meet traditional needs and can be maintained locally.

This support is more than a one-time handover—it’s a sustainable investment in coastal livelihoods. By combining environmental protection with income restoration, the WACA project continues to strengthen the resilience of coastal communities across West Africa.