News & Events

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…

The quest for resilience through Ivory Coast community forests

Picture of community forest in Grand-Lahou contribute to biodiversity and restore local ecosystems.

The WACA project: a life transformation for Yaye Alimatou Guèye

The WACA project empowering resilient fish seller, Yaye Alimatou Guèye, in Mauritania.

"Our treasure is dying": the West African coastline in the fight against plastic waste

Plastic waste in West Africa's coastal areas is causing problems for local communities.

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