Aligning US Interests with West Africa's Future: Presidential Initiatives, Political Dynamics, and the Role of Technology in Education

• In Event: Roundtable Session 3
  In Refereed Roundtable Session: Advancing Gender Equity in Learning through Digital Approaches in Conflict-Affected Niger and Mali

Proposal

The intersection of technology, education, and U.S. foreign policy is playing a critical role in shaping the future of West Africa. This panel will delve into the significance the U.S. government places on education technology (EdTech) through key initiatives such as the Biden Administration’s Digital Transformation for Africa and the newly released USAID Digital Policy. Both policies represent strategic U.S. efforts to promote technological innovation, improve educational access, and drive economic development in the region, especially in light of current political dynamics and increasing insecurity.

A focal point of the discussion will be the growing importance of girls' education within U.S. government priorities. West Africa, and the Sahel region in particular, faces unique challenges when it comes to ensuring equitable access to education, especially for girls in conflict-affected or rural areas. As such, the U.S. government, through USAID and related development agencies, has increasingly emphasized the role of EdTech and distance learning as transformative tools for bridging these gaps. Programs aimed at improving access to education for girls are not only about expanding digital access but also about addressing deeper issues of gender equity, resilience, and empowerment. This initiative aligns with broader U.S. interests in promoting stability, economic growth, and democratic governance in West Africa.

The Biden Administration's Digital Transformation for Africa focuses on strengthening the region's digital infrastructure, fostering innovation, and expanding opportunities for marginalized communities, particularly women and youth. It seeks to ensure that technology can be a driver for educational reform and economic inclusion, emphasizing digital literacy, technological innovation, and the potential for technology to revolutionize the education system. Similarly, USAID's Digital Policy highlights how data, digital tools, and technological platforms can enhance education outcomes and promote local capacity-building. This policy underscores the importance of sustainable development practices that empower local communities to take ownership of their educational futures, while also aligning with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives.

The panel will explore how these initiatives intersect with the current political and security context in West Africa. Recent political instability and growing insecurity, particularly in the Sahel, have presented both challenges and opportunities for U.S. interests in the region. The U.S. government sees education, especially girls' education, as a key lever for promoting stability and development. Through strategic partnerships, the U.S. aims to empower communities to leverage technology as a tool for education, economic growth, and long-term peace-building.

A significant focus will also be placed on distance learning, which has gained momentum in West Africa as a way to provide education to children and youth living in conflict-affected areas. The Sahel has been a key target for these efforts, with distance learning initiatives providing an alternative for students whose access to formal education is limited by insecurity. The use of tablets, online platforms, and other digital resources is creating new possibilities for education in some of the most difficult environments, and U.S.-led initiatives are at the forefront of these efforts.

Author

• Thomas Rosenfeld, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)