The Institute of Digital Technologies (ITD), in partnership with IBM, inaugurated on November 30, the first West African Hub (WAH), a unique user group of its kind in West Africa. This hub aims to be a platform for exchange and collaboration around the themes of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data management, while opening up to other strategic technological areas.
A collaborative and inclusive initiative
The WAH aims to bring together all the players operating in the digital ecosystem – creators, businesses, users, and the general public. “It is also an opportunity for us to create a framework for exchange beyond Senegal, throughout the sub-region,” declared Mbagnick Faye, Director of ITD, during the launch. This initiative aims to stimulate co-creation and innovation in a context where cutting-edge technologies are increasingly essential.
In addition, ITD announced that quarterly meetings will be organized as part of this hub, exploring various technological issues linked to the use of IBM solutions. The long-term goal is to expand this initiative to other African countries to build the capacity of AI professionals across the continent.
International recognition for local talents
The launch was also marked by the celebration of ITD students who participated in a prestigious international technology challenge in Las Vegas. Facing teams from the world’s largest universities and technology companies, the Senegalese representatives managed to reach the final, placing third. They were the only African team in the competition.
“It was a real pride to represent Senegal and, beyond that, Africa,” said Mbagnick Faye. This performance highlights the potential of African talents in a field often dominated by major Western powers. “It is time to change the paradigm and create our own ecosystem,” added Mr. Faye, emphasizing the need to move from a role of simple consumer of foreign technologies to that of creator.
The economic impact of AI and African challenges
Cheikhouna Diop, Sales Director of IBM Software Africa, discussed the potential economic benefits of AI. According to him, this technology could generate an impact of 7,000 billion dollars on global GDP in the next ten years. He also highlighted the importance for African countries to not limit themselves to the role of consumers, but to become key players in the design and development of AI-based solutions.
“Artificial intelligence is not a threat to humans. It is rather a means of increasing productivity and providing effective technological solutions,” he said. For Mr. Diop, technologies like AI offer unlimited opportunities, provided that relevant use cases are developed and adapted to local needs.
An educational revolution in progress
To support this transformation, ITD is banking on cutting-edge training within its institute, aimed at preparing students for the technological challenges of tomorrow. The objective is to build a skilled workforce capable of driving the digital revolution on the continent.
The West African Hub thus embodies a crucial step in the region’s digital transformation strategy, placing West Africa at the heart of the global technological ecosystem. This partnership between ITD and IBM paves the way for a new era of inclusive and sustainable innovation for the continent.
