$163 million new financing will expand the COSO project to reach 1.9 million more people, strengthen social cohesion, and create over 50,000 jobs in fragile border areas of Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo.
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2026 - The World Bank Group today approved a $163 million in additional financing to expand the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (COSO) Project in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo, strengthening resilience and boosting job creation for vulnerable communities affected by conflict, climate change, and displacement. The new financing will help scale up community-driven investments in some of the region's most fragile border areas, where limited economic opportunities, high poverty, climate shocks, and spillovers from Sahel insecurity are putting livelihoods and social cohesion under increasing strain.
Across northern Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo, communities face a complex mix of insecurity, limited access to basic services, and scarce economic opportunities, particularly for young people. The COSO project addresses these challenges through direct community investments, infrastructure development, livelihood support, and strengthened inclusion. With this additional financing, COSO will reach 1.9 million more people, support over 2,200 community subprojects, create around 52,000 direct jobs-especially for youth and women-and open new opportunities for more than 600 local firms, helping to strengthen local economies.
"At the heart of this project is jobs, especially for young people," said Trina Haque, World Bank Regional Practice Director for People in Western and Central Africa. "By investing in local infrastructure, small businesses, and community-driven solutions, COSO is creating real economic opportunities while strengthening stability and social cohesion."
Northern Gulf of Guinea countries are increasingly exposed to cross-border insecurity, climate shocks, and growing inflows of refugees, placing pressure on already fragile communities. COSO is designed as a regional platform, bringing together countries to address shared risks and opportunities. It combines community-driven development, regional dialogue, and climate-resilient investments to tackle the drivers of fragility at their root.
"The challenges facing border regions do not stop at national frontiers," said Nathan Belete, World Bank Director for Africa Regional Programs. "By strengthening cross-border collaboration and investing in communities on both sides of borders, COSO is helping build a more stable, resilient, and integrated region. Through expanded access to essential services, job creation, and stronger local institutions, it is transforming vulnerable border areas into engines of inclusive growth and lasting stability."
Since its launch in 2022, COSO has delivered strong results across Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and Togo, improving access to services for more than 3.7 million people, and creating over 82,000 jobs for youth and women. In Benin, 595 community subprojects have been completed, benefiting over 679,000 people, including refugees and host communities. In Côte d'Ivoire, the project has delivered 917 infrastructure investments reaching nearly 700,000 beneficiaries, while in Togo, 1,461 subprojects have improved access to services for more than 500,000 people, including over 24,000 refugees. These investments -spanning water, education, health, agriculture and local markets- have strengthened livelihoods, stimulated local economies, and helped rebuild trust within communities, with over 90 percent of beneficiaries reporting positive impacts on social cohesion.
