• Funds target erosion control, ecosystem restoration in Benin and Mauritania
• Program aims to protect 530,000 people and create 13,000 jobs

The World Bank Group approved this week $240 million in financing for the first phase of the West Africa Coastal Areas Blue Economy and Resilience Program (WACA+).

The package includes $207 million from the International Development Association (IDA), $5 million from the PROBLUE fund, and $28 million in private capital. It aims to help Benin and Mauritania protect their coastlines from erosion and flooding while developing blue economy value chains.

In both countries, the program will finance coastal protection infrastructure and ecosystem restoration, including the restoration of up to 3,000 hectares of mangroves and wetlands. These measures are expected to boost fishing productivity, support ecotourism, and reduce exposure to climate-related shocks.

“West Africa’s coastal communities are on the frontlines of climate change, facing the loss of the ecosystems and economic assets they rely on. WACA+ brings the integrated response these challenges demand,” said Chakib Jenane, the World Bank’s regional director for the Planet practice group.

In Benin, interventions will focus on the Bouche du Roy estuary and the mouth of the Mono River. Bouche du Roy, a protected area established in 2016 and recognized by UNESCO in 2017, covers 9,678 hectares and is home to more than 25,000 people. It represents 22% of the key biodiversity area surrounding Lake Ahémé and the Aho complex.

In Mauritania, the program will focus on strengthening the dune barrier protecting Nouakchott to reduce flood risks in densely populated areas. According to a 2025 World Bank report, without climate adaptation measures, GDP could decline significantly by 2050, driven mainly by flooding (0.4% to 0.5%), sea-level rise (2.0% to 2.3%), and drought (5.7% to 9.3%). Nouakchott is already highly vulnerable to flooding due to a combination of natural and man-made factors.

WACA+ aims to lay the groundwork for a coordinated regional response, with the long-term goal of protecting more than 1.3 million hectares of marine areas and supporting over 50,000 jobs across West Africa.

Private sector support and capacity building

Beyond infrastructure, the program will rely on the private sector to drive job creation. It includes support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), as well as financing mechanisms such as a credit guarantee in Mauritania for fisheries processing companies.

More than 530,000 people are expected to be protected from coastal risks, while over 31,000 will benefit from capacity-building programs. The first phase is projected to generate around 13,000 jobs in sectors including fishing, aquaculture, hospitality, logistics, and ecosystem restoration.

The program comes as pressure on West African coastal zones intensifies. These areas account for a significant share of regional economic activity but remain highly vulnerable to climate change.

“WACA+ provides a truly regional platform, linking countries, harmonizing policies, and mobilizing shared expertise to protect coastal communities, support job creation, and stimulate sustainable growth across the entire region. This cooperation is essential to safeguarding the shared coastline and unlocking new opportunities for millions of people,” said Marina Wes, the World Bank’s acting director for regional programs.

Carelle Yourann