Data Gap Challenge
Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Research and Operational Protection
The West African coast, stretching from Senegal to Gabon, is among the regions most exposed to the impacts of climate change. Sea-level rise, intensifying storms, and increasingly frequent extreme weather events are accelerating coastal flooding and erosion across the region.
The economic and human consequences are severe. Rapid urbanisation, population growth in low-lying areas, and environmental degradation are continuously amplifying exposure and weakening coastal resilience.
~0M
people across Africa's North and West coastal zones are projected to be exposed to sea-level rise by 2030.
(Source: IPCC AR6 WGII, Ch. 9; Africa Center for Strategic Studies analysis)
$0B
in damages in 2017 alone for Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Togo (5.3% of combined GDP).
(Source: World Bank, 2019)
0+
lives linked to coastal hazards in the region, a figure rising with urbanization.
(Source: World Bank, 2019)
"Nearly a third of West Africa's population and infrastructure is concentrated in the coastal zone. Yet across the region stretching from Senegal to Gabon, there is still no operational, science-based early warning system capable of forecasting coastal flooding in real time. SAFECOAST was built to close that gap."
The In-Situ Data Void
In-situ tide gauges are virtually absent along the West African coast. SAFECOAST leverages continuous satellite Earth Observation to bridge this critical operational gap.
Contributing to Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 11
SDG 13
SDG 14