The West Africa Director of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Dr. Marie-Gloriose Ingabire, delivered keynote remarks at a webinar examining how digital technologies and artificial intelligence are transforming agricultural work in West and Central Africa (WCA). Themed Digital Technology and the Future of Agricultural Work in West and Central Africa, the webinar was organised around early findings from research under the WCA hub of the Future of Work research initiative.
Dr. Ingabire underscored that cross-regional research must translate into policy action to ensure digital transformation benefits vulnerable populations. Her reflections set the strategic direction for the webinar, linking emerging evidence to the goals of FutureWorks and the need for data-driven policymaking across the sub-region.
Addressing technology's rapid reshaping of agricultural work
Dr. Ingabire highlighted that rapid technological advances are reshaping the world of work by automating tasks, enhancing productivity, and redefining entire occupations, making rigorous scientific reflection on these changes essential. This need is particularly urgent in WCA, where agriculture-dependent economies grapple with high underemployment, persistent informality, and weak social protection systems. Without adequate public support mechanisms, workers face significant barriers in transitioning to new skills and opportunities.
Building inclusive economies through FutureWorks
Dr. Ingabire highlighted IDRC’s FutureWorks Collective, a five-year initiative promoting decent work, fair digital transitions, stronger skills and social protection, and inclusive, low-carbon economies, with gender and equity at its core.The programme operates through five regional hubs and a global knowledge platform that link research to policy and public dialogue.
In West and Central Africa, the hub led by ISSER (Ghana) and ISRA-BAME (Senegal) is advancing these priorities through region-focused research and policy engagement. Dr. Ingabire stressed that continued dialogue and partnerships are key to strengthening the hub’s impact and attracting investment for solutions to emerging labour challenges.
Translating research into action
The IDRC West Africa Director stressed that FutureWorks must go beyond knowledge production to translate research findings into concrete policy recommendations that shape a more just and inclusive future of work. The regional hub will actively document its policy contributions and disseminate findings to relevant stakeholders.
In closing, Dr. Ingabire acknowledged institutional representatives including Dr. Astou Diao Camara, Director of the ISRA Macroeconomic Analysis Bureau; Prof. Peter Quartey, WCA hub team lead; Dr Ibrahim Abba from Cameroon’s Ministry of Employment; and Prof. Joseph Cabra, Rector and Project Coordinator at the University of Eastern Senegal. She expressed appreciation to ISSER and ISRA-BAME for co-organising the webinar, reaffirmed IDRC’s commitment to supporting the hub’s activities, and praised the quality of the discussions and participants’ engagement.
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