Africa
THE Vice-President of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Commission, Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja, says that West Africa is one of the youngest regions in the world, with nearly 65% of its population under the age of 25.
Speaking in Lomé, Togo, at the opening of the West African Youth Forum on Artificial Intelligence, AI, for the development of human capital within the regional organization on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, she lamented that “this significant human capital has not yet been transformed into a driver of prosperity”.
Represented by the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Togo, Ms. Deweh Emily Gray, Tchintchibidja stated that 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 Deweh Emily Gray.
A.I
May 16, 2026
Tags: Commission Damtien Larbli Tchintchibidja Deweh Emily Gray. ECOWAS