The ECOWAS Parliament has taken a significant step toward harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven education, with a strong call for a regional legal framework on AI during the opening of its Joint Committee meeting on Education, Science and Culture / Health / Telecommunications and Information Technology.
Speaking on behalf of the Joint Committee, the Co-Chairperson, Hon. Orlando Dias emphasized the urgency of preparing West Africa’s education systems for a digital future, especially in the face of rapid technological evolution and the global rise of AI.
The session, held in Dakar, a city described as “a beacon of African intellectualism,” forms part of a broader effort by ECOWAS to strengthen innovation, youth empowerment, and digital governance across the region.
Citing remarks by ECOWAS Commission President, Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, during the Parliament’s First Ordinary Session in May, the committee reinforced the need for a Community Act on AI. Such legislation, it said, would provide a legal and ethical framework to guide development and deployment of emerging technologies in West Africa.
“Education catalyzed by technology is the keystone in addressing inclusion, youth employability, and economic competitiveness,” the committee noted.
Other speakers stressed that artificial intelligence should not merely be adopted but strategically mastered—with full attention to its social, economic, and political implications, including data protection, digital equity, and ethics.
The meeting is structured around two core components:
Presentations from scholars, tech experts, and civil society leaders on the promise and pitfalls of AI in education, including personalized learning, expanded access, and teacher support.
Field visits to EdTech and AI hubs in Senegal to anchor policy deliberations in real-world experiences and challenges.
By balancing theory and practice, ECOWAS aims to produce actionable recommendations for a resilient, innovative, and inclusive education ecosystem across its Member States.
In his remarks, the Co-Chair, Orlando Dias paid tribute to Senegal’s legacy as a cradle of African thought, honoring figures like Léopold Sédar Senghor and Cheikh Anta Diop. He hailed Senegal as a fitting venue to deliberate the future of African education and digital transformation.
“The digital future of our region is being shaped today. Our work must reflect the aspirations of West Africa’s youth and the demands of the 21st century,” he concluded.
The meeting is expected to produce policy recommendations for adoption by the ECOWAS Parliament, with a focus on inclusive digital transition, regulatory clarity, and regional cooperation.
