By Benson Daniel
Young people from across West Africa have called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to finalise and operationalise a regional framework governing the use of artificial intelligence in electoral processes.
The call was made at the West Africa Youth Democracy Conference in Dakar, Senegal, where participants raised concerns about the growing influence of digital technologies on elections and the risks posed by artificial intelligence, including deepfakes, disinformation and other forms of digital manipulation.
In their recommendations, the participants urged ECOWAS to establish clear regional guidelines for election management bodies using AI. They said the framework should promote responsible use of the technology while protecting electoral integrity and preventing its misuse to manipulate voters or distort political information.
The participants also called for greater investment in digital civic education, particularly among young people. They said citizens need stronger digital literacy skills to identify manipulated content, recognise disinformation and use social media responsibly during election periods.
The conference further urged ECOWAS member states and relevant institutions to discourage restrictions on internet and social media access during elections. Participants argued that uninterrupted access to digital platforms is increasingly important for citizens seeking electoral information and participating in public debate.
The recommendations come as artificial intelligence becomes more influential in political communication and electoral campaigns. While AI can support voter education, information management and other election-related activities, its ability to generate realistic images, videos, audio and text has also created new challenges for election authorities.
The participants also endorsed the establishment of the West Africa Youth Observers Network, known as WAYON, as a permanent platform for training, advocacy, election observation, data collection and information sharing among young observers across ECOWAS member states.
The proposed network would have a steering committee and focal points in individual member states, supported by a digital platform for communication and coordination. Its activities would be aimed at strengthening the capacity of young people to participate in election observation and democratic processes.
Beyond AI and digital technology, the conference called for measures to reduce barriers to youth participation in politics, including lower nomination fees, campaign spending limits and youth inclusion measures. Participants also urged political parties to improve internal democracy and create greater opportunities for young people and women.
They further called for increased investment in youth employment, entrepreneurship and access to finance, arguing that economic constraints can limit meaningful participation in political and governance processes.
The conference proposed a biennial monitoring mechanism involving ECOWAS and partner organisations to assess progress on the recommendations. The participants also urged sustained youth engagement throughout the electoral cycle rather than limiting participation to election periods.
The push for a regional AI framework highlights the growing need for common standards as West African countries confront the opportunities and risks created by rapidly advancing digital technologies.
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