ACECoR and Japan advance Integrated Sediment Management in West Africa
WACA Japan team visits Ghana to assess coastal situation and future prospects based on coastal engineering.
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Floods in Senegal, are retention basins part of the solution?
In Dakar, Senegal, floods are major disruptions to livelihoods. Pape Goumba Lo, Geologist discusses possible solutions with WACA's support.
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The Gambia, Ghana, and Guinea-Bissau join WACA
The World Bank approved $246 million in financing for the WACA Resilience Investment Project 2 to benefit The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, and the WAEMU to manage coastal erosion, flooding and pollution.
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WACA ReSIP Senegal National Steering Committee
Mr. Cheikh Fofana, Deputy Director of Environment and Classified Establishments, on the importance of the meeting.
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Togo: launch of large-scale works to protect the coastline with Benin
Cross-border works to protect the Togo-Benin coast launched on Thursday, November 3, 2022 in Aného.
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WACA Japan visits Ghana to assess coastal situation and future prospects based on coastal engineering.
The WACA project funded US$16,000 for the creation of a sardine canning unit in Mauritania.
WACA Cote d'Ivoire accompanied by pre-selected companies visited to the Bandama River.
In Dakar, Senegal, floods are major disruptions. Pape Goumba Lo, Geologist discusses solutions.
In Ivory Coast, WACA commits to restore the ecosystem in Grand-Lahou wetlands.
Key Facts & Figures
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56%
Coastline in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo subject to an average erosion of 1.8 m per year
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US$1.4 billion
Cost of air, water and waste pollution cost in 2017 to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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13,000 deaths
Occur in Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo primarily due to floods, air and water in 2017
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$3.8 billion
The cost of erosion, flooding and pollution cost to Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Togo
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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.
