In a bold move to reshape education systems across West Africa, the ECOWAS Parliament is advocating for a harmonized regional policy on educational technology (EdTech) and innovation, aimed at bridging digital divides and improving learning outcomes for millions of students.
The initiative was outlined during a presentation by Hon. Ibra Diouf, a former ECOWAS parliamentarian and African Union representative, who underscored the vital role of technology in preparing the region for 21st-century development challenges.
“In today’s technology-driven world, integrating digital tools into education is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” Diouf stated. He referenced the visions of African icons such as Nelson Mandela and Professor Joseph Ki-Zerbo, who championed education as the foundation of societal progress.
Diouf traced the continent’s EdTech evolution from initiatives like Côte d’Ivoire’s school radio programs in the 1970s to modern systems such as Senegal’s SIMEN — a digital education management platform improving transparency, communication, and school performance.
Despite growing interest and backing from international partners like the World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and USAID, Diouf highlighted persistent gaps in digital infrastructure, teacher training, and resource accessibility.
To address these challenges, the ECOWAS Parliament is drawing on its powers under the Revised 1994 Treaty and the 2016 Supplementary Protocol to propose regional legislation, commission research, and coordinate education innovation across member states.
Key proposals include:
Introducing model laws to guide EdTech integration in national education systems.
Promoting comparative research on ICT usage in classrooms across West Africa.
Establishing regional teacher training frameworks to build digital literacy skills.
Launching fact-finding missions and evaluations to track progress and address challenges.
A central recommendation calls for the creation of a harmonized digital curriculum from preschool to higher education, tailored to the region’s socio-economic context. Diouf also stressed the importance of safeguarding students from the misuse of the internet in schools, urging educators to ensure digital tools serve strictly educational purposes.
“The objective isn’t to digitize education for its own sake,” Diouf cautioned, “but to deploy EdTech that genuinely improves learning outcomes and promotes regional integration.”
The ECOWAS Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to advancing this agenda through collaborative partnerships, legislation, and advocacy, positioning West Africa to harness the full potential of digital innovation in education.
