The ECOWAS Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming West Africa’s education sector through technology and innovation, declaring digital tools and artificial intelligence (AI) as vital instruments for the region’s future prosperity.
This stance was made clear during the meeting of the Joint Committee on Education, Science and Culture; Health; and Telecommunications and Information Technology, held on Monday and Tuesday in Dakar, Senegal, under the theme “Prioritizing Education Technology and Innovation in the ECOWAS Region.”
Delivering the opening remarks, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Memounatou Ibrahim — represented by Second Deputy Speaker Adjaratou Trallee New Coulibaly — emphasized that the region must urgently embrace new models of learning to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving world.
She highlighted that since the adoption of the Protocol on Education and Training in 2003, ECOWAS had made strides in harmonizing educational systems. However, persistent challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, unequal access to digital tools, and slow policy implementation remain hurdles.
“We must ask: what future awaits the teaching profession when artificial intelligence supplants it? How do we prevent the dehumanization of education? We must build a West Africa where every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive,” she said.
Echoing her concerns, Senegal’s Minister of National Education, Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, called on African countries to move from passive consumers of artificialK intelligence to creators and innovators rooted in African values.
Guirassy revealed that Senegal had positioned AI as a central pillar of its education reforms, integrating AI into platforms for monitoring school performance and training both teachers and students in digital literacy.
“Africa cannot be content to consume AI. It must instill its wisdom, vision, and humanism into these technologies,” he declared, proposing a West African AI Pact built around six pillars: a regional AI ethics charter, African language-based digital resources, a network of AI experts, teacher certification, a regional innovation fund, and data sovereignty protections.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Minority Whip and Vice Chairman of ECOWAS Parliament’s Health Standing Committee, Senator Osita Ngwu, described the meeting as timely, stating that Nigeria must continuously evaluate its laws to keep pace with global technological advancements.
“AI has both positives and negatives. Everything we do is to ensure Nigeria is not left behind,” Ngwu stressed.
Also participating, Hon. Jacob Kassam, Member representing Kanke State Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly and an education technology expert, highlighted Nigeria’s policy achievements — including the 2010 National ICT Policy and the 2019 National ICT in Education Policy — but lamented poor implementation and lack of measurable outcomes.
“We have the policies, but implementation is the problem,” Kassam observed. He called on ECOWAS to conduct a comprehensive audit of digital learning platforms across member states, improve rural digital infrastructure, and prioritize teacher training.
In his remarks, Guy Marius Sagna, Head of the Senegalese Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, argued that education technology is no longer optional, but a strategic imperative for development. He stressed that the region must produce homegrown solutions tailored to local realities.
“The traditional one-size-fits-all model of education is obsolete. EdTech must promote equity, especially for vulnerable groups,” Sagna said.
Co-Chairman of the Joint Committee, Orlando P. Dias, reinforced the importance of establishing a strong legal and ethical framework for AI in West Africa. He advocated for integrating academic research with fieldwork to align policies with practical realities.
“The digital future of our region is being shaped today. Through our collective commitment, we can build an inclusive, resilient, and innovative education system fit for the 21st century,” he concluded.
Representing the ECOWAS Commission, Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Sédikou Douka — represented by Acting Principal Programme Officer, Telecoms and Post Policy, Mr. Mawuli Amoa — acknowledged the pivotal role of digitalization in addressing education challenges.
“EdTech expands opportunities for early learning and creativity, but Africa still struggles with readiness — from lack of digital platforms and expensive equipment to inexperienced teachers,” Amoa stated, calling for a regionally coordinated AI policy framework grounded in African values.
The meeting is expected to produce recommendations for adoption across ECOWAS member states, aimed at reshaping education, skills development, and AI integration for a prosperous, digital-first West Africa.
