High-level policy dialogue explores how innovation, data, and frontier technologies can accelerate West Africa’s economic transformation

Niamey, Niger, 13 March 2026 - The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Sub-Regional Office for West Africa (SRO-WA), organized a high-level policy dialogue on 12 March 2026 to explore how innovation, data, and frontier technologies can support economic transformation in West Africa.

Held under the theme "Growth through innovation: Harnessing data and frontier technologies for the economic transformation of West Africa," the virtual dialogue formed part of the preparatory process for the 58th session of the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (CoM 2026), scheduled from 28 March to 3 April 2026 in Tangier, Morocco.

The dialogue took place at a critical time when African economies are seeking to accelerate structural transformation and build more resilient and diversified growth models. While Africa recorded strong growth between 2000 and 2019, this growth has yet to translate into sufficient industrialization, significant productivity gains, or the creation of high-quality jobs. Many economies also remain heavily dependent on primary commodities and continue to face structural constraints.

The main objective of the meeting was to build on ongoing digital transformation efforts in West Africa and stimulate policy discussions on how innovation ecosystems and frontier technologies can drive economic growth, competitiveness, and sustainable development.

The dialogue brought together senior government officials, representatives of regional economic communities and intergovernmental organizations, private sector leaders, civil society organizations, academia, and members of the Network of Economic Journalists for West Africa.

Speaking at the opening of the dialogue, the Director of ECA's Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, Ms. Ngone Diop, highlighted the importance of leveraging innovation to accelerate the region's development.

"I am confident that the discussions in this dialogue will help identify new avenues to accelerate the adoption and effective use of data and frontier technologies. These opportunities will be critical to advancing economic growth, structural transformation, and sustainable development in West Africa and the broader continent," she said.

The Chair of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for West Africa and Deputy Director of Planning, Policy, and Research of Sierra Leone, Mr. Joseph Samah, noted the importance of the dialogue in advancing regional cooperation on innovation.

"Today's dialogue therefore offers a timely platform to review progress in digital transformation and innovation across West Africa, to share experiences and best practices, and to identify policy and regulatory options that can help accelerate innovation-led growth in the region," he said.

The outcomes of the dialogue are expected to contribute to policy discussions at the upcoming Conference of Ministers and help shape recommendations on how West African countries can better harness data, innovation and frontier technologies to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.

Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: [email protected]