A ECOWAS YOUTH FORUM ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO BUILD DIGITAL SKILLS AND FOSTER INNOVATION
"“West Africa is one of the youngest regions in the world, with nearly 65% of its population under the age of 25; yet this significant human capital has not yet been transformed into a driver of prosperity.”. These were the observations made by the Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) […]"
A ECOWAS Youth Forum on Artificial Intelligence was held on 15 May, 2026, to build digital skills and foster innovation.
“West Africa is one of the youngest regions in the world, with nearly 65% of its population under the age of 25; yet this significant human capital has not yet been transformed into a driver of prosperity.” These were the observations made by the Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, Ms. Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Lomé, Togo.
The remarks came at the opening of the West African Youth Forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the development of human capital within the regional organization. For Ms. Tchintchibidja, represented by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Togo, Ms. Deweh Emily Gray, this forum responds to the wishes expressed by West African youth in 2025 in Accra, Ghana, regarding the urgency of integrating digital technology and artificial intelligence into their educational pathways.
This forum is not just another conference, she clarified, noting that it is both a response and a joint commitment by the ECOWAS Commission and these young people to ensure that the technological revolution is not a threat, but rather the greatest opportunity for their empowerment. “Unemployment, underemployment, and, even more seriously, the manipulation of our youth by harmful entities, are inescapable realities. Artificial intelligence, for its part, is already transforming the world of work.
“If we remain inactive in the face of this evolution, this technology will only exacerbate existing inequalities. However, if we decide, collectively, to take the reins of its development, it could become the most powerful lever for truly inclusive progress,” said Ms. Deweh Emily Gray.
Speaking on behalf of the ECOWAS Commission, she urged West African policymakers to make digital skills and artificial intelligence national and regional priorities, on par with security, road infrastructure, and energy infrastructure. She listed the many benefits that AI can bring to West Africa’s development, particularly in agriculture for weather forecasting, detecting plant diseases, or optimizing irrigation; and in healthcare, where AI-assisted diagnostic tools can address the shortage of medical specialists in rural areas.
She also cited the financial sector, where algorithms assess creditworthiness based on phone usage data, as well as the creative sector, where generative AI can revolutionize art, design, music, and film by creating professions that were unimaginable in the past. Ms. Deweh Emily Gray emphasized that this forum represents a commitment by ECOWAS, which must be translated into a roadmap for its member states.
It will lead to the development of a policy recommendations document, which will be presented by the Vice-Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission to the Heads of State and Government of the regional organization during the Summit of the Future. “We will advocate for each member state to incorporate AI literacy modules into its national human capital development strategies, starting in secondary school and extending to vocational training centers. Together, let us make AI a tool for integration, peace, and shared prosperity,” she concluded.
This forum, initiated by the ECOWAS Secretariat for Human Capital Development as part of the commemorative activities marking the regional organization’s 50th anniversary, aims to promote AI among West African youth. For Agamo Kodzo, Secretary General of Togo’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the selection of his country to host this meeting reflects recognition of its commitment to youth, innovation, regional integration, and human capital development.
On behalf of Abdul-Fahd Fofana, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Grassroots Development, Solidarity and Social Economy, in charge of Youth and Sports, he congratulated the young people of the regional community for their participation in the meeting. “Your presence here reflects a shared conviction: that West African youth must not be mere spectators of the world’s technological transformations, but active participants in their design, adoption, and application to serve the development of our continent,” stated Agamo Kodzo.
It should be noted that Deputy Minister Abdul-Fahd Fofana, who was unable to attend the opening ceremony, nevertheless came during the event to congratulate, encourage, and offer advice to the young West Africans on the challenges of artificial intelligence. Shortly after the conference began, participants were treated to an entertainment break hosted by Beninese musician Précieuse Nadie.
Deep Analysis
AI Intelligence
Automated insights generated by DeepSeek-V3 based on the article content.
Key Impact
- The forum commits ECOWAS to developing a policy roadmap for integrating AI into national human capital strategies across all 15 member states, including Ghana.
- A formal policy document will be presented to West African heads of state, aiming to make AI literacy a priority in secondary schools and vocational training centers.
- Ghanaian youth, who voiced demands for digital integration in Accra 2025, are expected to benefit directly from regional AI education initiatives.
Background
- Nearly 65% of West Africa's population is under 25, but this demographic advantage has not yet been fully leveraged for economic growth.
- The forum in Lomé, Togo, responds to calls from West African youth, including those from Ghana, who in 2025 urged urgent digital and AI integration into education.
- ECOWAS launched this initiative as part of its 50th anniversary activities, with a focus on human capital development through AI.
- Ghana’s prior role in hosting the 2025 youth discussions in Accra positioned it as a key contributor to shaping the forum's agenda.
Benefits
- AI can boost Ghanaian agriculture by improving weather forecasting, detecting crop diseases early, and optimizing irrigation in regions like Ashanti and Northern Region.
- AI-powered diagnostic tools can help address the shortage of doctors in rural areas, such as the Upper East and Volta regions, by enabling faster, more accurate medical assessments.
- The financial sector in Ghana can use AI algorithms to assess creditworthiness based on mobile phone usage, expanding access to loans for smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs.
- West African creative industries, including Ghana's film and music sectors in cities like Kumasi and Accra, can leverage generative AI to create new jobs and artistic forms.
Risks & Warnings
- Without proactive action, AI could worsen existing inequalities in Ghana, leaving behind rural communities and those without digital access.
- The forum highlighted that unemployment and underemployment among youth remain serious threats, and AI could displace jobs if skills training is not aligned with market needs.
- Manipulation of youth by harmful entities is an inescapable reality, and unregulated AI use could amplify misinformation or be exploited by extremist groups in the region.
Who Is Affected
- West African youth aged 15-35, especially those in Ghana’s secondary schools and vocational training centers, will be primary beneficiaries of AI literacy programs.
- ECOWAS policymakers, including those from Ghana’s Ministry of Education and Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, must prioritize digital skills investment.
- Farmers in Ghana’s agricultural zones, such as the Bono East and Savannah regions, stand to gain from AI tools for climate-resilient farming.
- Healthcare workers and patients in rural Ghana will be affected by AI diagnostic tools that aim to bridge the specialist shortage in underserved areas.
Please verify critical information independently.