The World Bank has approved $240 million in funding to support coastal protection and job creation in Benin and Mauritania, as part of efforts to strengthen climate resilience across West Africa.
The financing forms the first phase of the West Africa Coastal Areas Blue Economy and Resilience Programme (WACA+), which focuses on tackling rising sea levels, restoring fragile ecosystems and unlocking economic opportunities along the coast.
Coastal areas remain vital to West Africa’s economy, supporting millions of people through fishing, trade and tourism. But persistent erosion, flooding and environmental degradation—worsened by climate change—continue to threaten livelihoods and infrastructure.
Under the programme, targeted interventions will address some of the most vulnerable zones. In Benin, works will focus on stabilising key estuaries linked to agriculture and transport, while in Mauritania, defences will be strengthened to protect the capital, Nouakchott, from storm surges.
The initiative will also restore thousands of hectares of mangroves and wetlands, which serve as natural buffers against flooding and support marine life.
The World Bank says the programme is designed not only to protect communities but also to expand economic opportunities. It will provide training, technical support and financing for small businesses in sectors such as aquaculture, tourism and maritime services.
More than 500,000 people are expected to benefit from reduced exposure to coastal hazards, while over 31,000 individuals will receive skills training by 2031. The first phase alone is projected to create about 13,000 jobs.
In Mauritania, additional financing tools are expected to unlock up to $20 million in lending to support coastal enterprises, particularly in fish processing.
WACA+ builds on earlier regional efforts to manage coastal erosion, with a stronger focus on developing the blue economy—using ocean resources sustainably to drive growth and employment. Future phases are expected to expand to more countries across the region.
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