The Parliarment of the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) has moved to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool to enhance efficiency in the legislative functions of the regional parliamentary body.
This was disclosed by the Speaker of the regional legislature, Rt. Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, in her remarks during the closing ceremony of the 2025 Second Parliamentary Seminar in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Wednesday, with the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Parliamentary Efficiency, Ethical Governance and Development in the ECOWAS Region.”
The three-day seminar featured presentations by experts, panel discussions and robust debate by the Parliamentarians on the importance of the technology to legislative functions, as well as emphasis on the regulatory framework to mitigate its risks.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Fourth Deputy Speaker, Billay Tunkara, described AI as an “irreversible revolution”, stressing that within a short time it has redefined and transformed the future of West African economies, society and governance.
“Within a short time, AI has moved beyond the realm of science fiction to become a powerful force in our world driving many changes in all areas of life. At the same time it is challenging our shared values and fundamental human rights.
“AI when properly harnessed by parliament will ensure informed deliberation, optimized legislation and enhanced parliamentary oversight.
“It provides us with the means to make our work more efficient, more transparent and more responsive to citizens’ expectations. It is up to us all to embrace this tool, train our staff and adopt our regulations and rules of procedures to accommodate this new technology,” the Speaker said.
According to Ibrahima, the seminar marks the starting point for a collective and decisive approach to AI by ECOWAS Parliament, even as she expressed optimism that recommendations from the meeting will translate to concrete and ambitious action plans.
During the deliberations, many lawmakers had acknowledged the necessity of the technology in the current global evolution, but expressed concerns about the threats it poses and urged a cautious approach to its adoption in order not to harm the region that is characterized by vulnerabilities associated with little infrastructure.
But as the region grapples with the reality of AI revolution, it has to find ways to domesticate it and navigate the delicate balance between embracing AI’s transformative potential and preserving the human -centered values that underpins democratic governance.
The seminar will be followed on Thursday by the 2025 Second Extraordinary session of the 6th legislature in the oil-rich city.
