ECOWAS parliament seeks legal framework for AI in West Africa

The Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hadja Ibrahima, has called for a strong legal framework for Artificial Intelligence development across West Africa.

She made this call on Monday at a delocalised meeting of the parliament’s Joint Committee in Dakar, Senegal, focusing on education, science, and digital innovation.

The meeting’s theme was ‘Prioritising Education Technology and Innovation in the ECOWAS Region’, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Represented by Second Deputy Speaker, Adjaratou Coulibaly, Ibrahima said the subregion must adopt new learning models to meet global technological demands.

She expressed hope that the Dakar discussions would support a clear recommendation for a community legal framework on AI.

She said digital transformation and innovation — especially in education — must be prioritised to shape the future of the subregion.

“This aligns with our parliamentary mandate and the aspirations of West African citizens,” Ibrahima noted.

She recalled that the parliament adopted a Protocol on Education and Training in Dakar in 2003 to harmonise education and promote excellence.

Ibrahima said ECOWAS boasts a young, dynamic population, diverse cultures, and growing economies, but faces educational challenges.

“Traditional models of education are being questioned. We’ve progressed, but problems remain,” she said.

She cited poor infrastructure, digital inequality, and slow adoption by some member states as major obstacles.