The ECOWAS Parliament is taking a major step towards technological advancement by calling for a comprehensive legal framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) development across West Africa.
Speaking during a delocalised joint committee meeting in Dakar, Senegal, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima, emphasized the urgent need for structured AI policy to support digital innovation in education and other sectors.
According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the theme of the meeting was “Prioritising Education Technology and Innovation in the ECOWAS Region.”
Represented by Second Deputy Speaker Adjaratou Coulibaly, Ibrahima said that digital transformation and innovation must be prioritized to prepare the region for global competitiveness. She expressed hope that the gathering would lead to a unified legal framework on AI, tailored to the needs of West African societies.
“If Africa wants to join the global knowledge economy, every child must access digital tools from school,” she said, pointing to the urgency of inclusive digital learning.
She acknowledged the region's progress in education since the 2003 ECOWAS Protocol on Education and Training, but also pointed out persistent challenges like digital inequality, infrastructure deficits, and slow adoption by member states.
Also present at the event, Senegal’s Minister of National Education, Moustapha Guirassy, called on African countries to not only consume AI technologies but also to become creators and regulators. He revealed Senegal had allocated 1,105 billion CFA to education, including 130 billion CFA for digital education, as part of its 2025–2029 national digital strategy.
Guirassy also confirmed the country is already applying AI to monitor school performance and has begun training teachers and students in algorithmic systems. He advocated for a West African Pact on AI use in education backed by a regional ethical charter and support for African-language digital content.
This shift reflects a growing consensus that AI must be governed responsibly, with localized, ethical, and inclusive standards to ensure long-term success.
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