The ECOWAS Parliament has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing digital transformation in West Africa’s education sector, declaring education technology and innovation as essential tools for shaping the region’s future.
Speaking at the high-level regional meeting on Monday in Dakar, Senegal, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Memounatou Ibrahim, represented by the 2nd Deputy Speaker, Adjaratou Tralee New Coulibaly, said the region must embrace new models of learning to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.
She recalled that ECOWAS had taken proactive steps since 2003, when the Protocol AP3103 on Education and Training was adopted in Dakar to harmonise educational systems and promote excellence across member states.
She said, “ECOWAS, with its young and dynamic population, rich in diverse cultures and endowed with growing economies, finds itself at a crossroads in the field of education. Traditional educational models, though fundamental, are increasingly being questioned.
“Two decades after the adoption of this protocol, we note significant progress. But we must also acknowledge lingering challenges such as poor infrastructure, unequal access to digital tools, and slow adoption by some member states.”
She added, “If Africa wants to take part in the global knowledge economy, it must allow every child to access information technologies from school.”
The Speaker stressed that technology in education should not come at the cost of human connection, adding that the outcomes of the meeting would guide the region toward concrete strategies for digital learning and inclusive growth.
She said, “We must build a West Africa where every child has the opportunity to learn, to thrive, and to contribute to the prosperity of our beloved community.”
Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of Senegal’s National Assembly, El Malick Ndiaye, represented by his deputy, Ismaila Diallo, called for a unified response to digital transformation.
He warned against marginalisation, calling on leaders to support innovations that build inclusive societies.
