Strengthening Regional Collaboration and Integration

West Africa’s coastal area is critical
to the region, home to a third of its people and the source
of about half of its gross domestic product (GDP). Because
most of it is composed of mangroves and sand formations, the
area’s coastline is also highly vulnerable to erosion caused
by coastal currents and storm surges. Erosion is evident
from Mauritania to Gabon - and the rates of erosion are
increasing. Around the port of Lome, for example, Togo’s
coastline is estimated to have receded by as much as 12 to
15 meters a year. Regional integration will improve the
sustainability of shared coastal waters, the protection of
environmental services, and the livelihoods that rely on
coastal ecosystems. Cooperation will also contribute to the
development of regional principles or guidelines for coastal
infrastructure investments.