Countries of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) have reaffirmed their commitment to pooling digital resources to bolster their sovereignty.
This announcement was made on Wednesday during a digital technology forum held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
“The integration of digital resources and expertise among our AES nations, from Niamey to Bamako through Ouagadougou, is vital in strengthening our pursuit of sovereignty and development,” said Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachimson Kyélèm de Tambèla at the 19th edition of the Digital Week.
Highlighting the significance of the event, which focused on financial technologies (FinTech), Kyélèm de Tambèla noted that it provided a platform for experts across sectors to explore the transformative role of digital technologies in the financial landscape, which is currently undergoing major disruptions.
Mali and Niger, fellow members of the AES alongside Burkina Faso, were invited as special guests to this year’s Digital Week.
The event, held under the theme “Digital Transformation and Economic Development: Challenges of FinTech,” aims to conclude on Friday in Ouagadougou.
Niger’s Minister of Communication, Posts, and Digital Economy, Sidi Mohamed Raliou, emphasized the importance of creating a central fiber-optic network hub for the three AES nations.
According to Raliou, such a network would enhance interconnectivity and expand internet access across the region, strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering broader economic growth.
The initiative reflects a broader effort by Sahelian states to leverage technological collaboration as a means to confront common challenges, including economic instability and limited digital access.
By pooling their resources and expertise, the AES countries aim to drive development while affirming their digital sovereignty in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
