At the seventh International Symposium on West African Studies (ISWAS), diplomats, scholars, and industry experts called on West African nations to transform Artificial Intelligence (AI) from a technological trend into a strategic tool for economic empowerment, social equity, and regional resilience. The symposium, held under the theme “Sustainable Economic and Social Development in West Africa: AI Empowerment and Innovation”, brought together thought leaders from across the region and abroad to chart a roadmap for AI-driven development in West Africa.
The event, a collaboration between the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC), emphasized the need to position West Africa as a global innovator, not merely a consumer of emerging technologies.
In his keynote address, Chinese Ambassador to Ghana, Tong Defa, highlighted that the real value of AI lies in its practical application to key economic sectors. He called on West African governments and private actors to envision AI-driven transformations in areas such as port logistics at Tema, cocoa and cassava cultivation, and infrastructure projects along the Volta Economic Corridor. Ambassador Tong also pledged China’s continued support to help developing nations close the “intelligent divide” and ensure Africa’s voice is represented in global AI governance.
Professor Samuel Kwaku Bonsu, Rector of GIMPA, recalled the symposium’s journey since its inaugural edition in 2017 and stressed the enormous potential of AI to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across West Africa.
However, experts at the symposium cautioned that technology adoption must go hand in hand with human capacity building. Professor Rosemond Boohene, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of UCC, warned that West Africa risks lagging if its youth are not equipped with advanced digital skills. She emphasized that AI implementation must be contextualized for West African realities, highlighting the importance of developing solutions that address climate vulnerability, educational gaps, and local governance challenges.
Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, former head of the Local Government Service, added that robust AI policies and ethical frameworks are essential to ensure the responsible application of AI across public administration, social governance, and security.
The symposium featured six technical seminars, bringing together 56 scholars and practitioners to explore the intersections of AI with governance, agriculture, digital heritage preservation, and economic productivity. These sessions highlighted how AI could strengthen public sector efficiency, enhance national security, and support inclusive economic growth.
Organizers noted the growing importance of public-private partnerships in digital capacity building. The Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Centre for West Africa Studies (CEWAS), and Global Afrisino were acknowledged for their strategic support in advancing AI research, innovation, and knowledge exchange across the region.
Looking ahead, participants expressed optimism for the eighth ISWAS, which will coincide with the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges 2026, promising an expanded platform for collaboration, investment, and innovation in AI and digital technologies across West Africa.
ISWAS 2025 ultimately framed AI as a transformative instrument—one that, when properly harnessed, can propel West Africa toward economic resilience, social equity, and a leadership role in the global digital economy.
