GCA Supports Climate-Resilient Fisheries and Coastal Livelihoods in Guinea
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otterdam, the Netherlands, 6 June 2025 — The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is supporting the Government of Guinea and the World Bank in building the climate resilience of coastal communities through a transformative $128 million investment in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture. The project—the first of its kind in Guinea to benefit from GCA’s technical expertise—aims to strengthen coastal ecosystems, enhance food security, and create green jobs through nature-based solutions and digital innovation.
The “Guinea Kounki Project,” supported by the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), targets small-scale fishers and aquaculture operators in some of the country’s most climate-vulnerable coastal zones. Building on lessons from the West Africa Regional Fisheries Program (WARFP), the project will scale up climate-smart fisheries management, restore degraded mangroves, expand aquaculture, and introduce early warning and digital advisory services tailored to local needs.
GCA’s contribution includes pioneering an analysis of Guinea’s coastal ecosystems to guide the selection of the most effective nature-based solutions. These may include mangrove restoration, shoreline protection, and integrated land-use planning to reduce erosion, storm surge risks, and biodiversity loss. In parallel, GCA will evaluate existing early warning systems and digital climate services to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement. This process will be reinforced through capacity-building workshops that empower stakeholders—from fishers to government officials—to implement and scale the most effective tools.
The project is expected to generate several transformative outcomes. It will identify and assess the cost-effectiveness of priority nature-based solutions, and strengthen early warning and digital advisory systems to ensure that vulnerable communities are better informed and protected. It will also improve the management of mangrove protected areas, which serve as both fish nurseries and natural climate buffers, and enhance the livelihoods and food security of thousands of coastal families. A strong emphasis is placed on the deliberate inclusion of women in fisheries value chains and resilience planning, while institutional capacity will be boosted to ensure sustainable access to climate data and finance.
Professor Patrick Verkooijen, President and CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, emphasized the broader significance of the initiative: “Fisheries are the lifeblood of Guinea’s coastal economy, but they are under siege from rising seas, eroding coastlines, and extreme weather. This project is a blueprint for how climate adaptation can safeguard livelihoods, protect biodiversity, and build a sustainable blue economy. At GCA, we are proud to work alongside our partners to ensure that the most vulnerable communities are not only protected from climate shocks—but equipped to lead in resilience.”
This project represents a strategic expansion of GCA’s Food Security program into Guinea and underscores the increasing importance of climate adaptation in the fisheries sector. By embedding resilience into the foundation of Guinea’s blue economy, the initiative will unlock sustainable development gains, reduce poverty, and help coastal communities weather the storms ahead.
