RicherFin · Sovereign Projects

Coastal Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Project — São Tomé and Príncipe

Alternative / official name: Projeto de Resiliência das Zonas Costeiras e Turismo Sustentável de São Tomé e Príncipe — WACA+

São Tomé and Príncipe · Targeted coastal communities on São Tomé and Príncipe islands · Environment and tourism

Overview

The Coastal Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Project, known as WACA+ and identified by the World Bank as P180982, is an Investment Project Financing operation designed to increase the resilience of targeted coastal communities and improve the sustainability of tourism in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The project combines institutional and policy reforms with physical and social investment. Its scope includes coastal adaptation against flooding and erosion, safer settlement areas and social infrastructure, early-warning capabilities, nature-based solutions including mangrove restoration, and investment supporting sustainable tourism destinations and local tourism value chains.

Implementation is active. World Bank financing records show the original IDA financing disbursing with a closing date of 30 June 2029, while the additional IDA financing approved in 2025 is effective. Procurement activity continued into September 2026, including an open works tender covering social housing and school infrastructure in Iô Grande and Praia Abade.

Key project information

Official name
Coastal Resilience and Sustainable Tourism Project
Alternative name
WACA+
Status
Implementation
Current phase
Implementation / procurement and civil works
Country
São Tomé and Príncipe
Location
Targeted coastal communities on São Tomé and Príncipe islands
Sector
Environment & Tourism
Sub-sector
Coastal resilience · climate adaptation · sustainable tourism · blue economy
Project structure
Investment Project Financing (IPF)
Project ID
P180982
Estimated project cost
US$29.8 million
Financing secured / identified
US$24.2 million
Approval date
12 Apr 2024
Expected completion
30 Jun 2029

Financing

WACA+ was originally financed through US$14.4 million of IDA funding, a US$4.0 million PROBLUE trust-fund grant and a documented US$0.2 million private-sector contribution. The original financing package contained a US$5.6 million financing gap.

In 2025, an additional US$5.6 million IDA grant was mobilised through the IDA20 Crisis Response Window. World Bank documentation states that this additional financing was intended to address the project's financing gap and allow full implementation of the planned WACA+ scope without adding new activities.

Total project cost
US$29.8 million
Total financing identified
US$24.2 million
IDA financing
US$20.0 million
Trust-fund financing
US$4.0 million
Private-sector contribution
US$0.2 million