Mano River Union Called for Regional AI Governance
Policymakers and experts gathered to unify digital rights and technology standards across four West African nations.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
Live Poll
Should regional digital policies prioritize guaranteed internet access for rural and vulnerable communities?
At the third Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum, regional leaders advocated for coordinated AI regulation and expanded digital access. This policy framework, presented by Sierra Leonean parliamentarian Mariana Bangura, seeks to align technology standards across Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d'Ivoire.
Why it matters
As artificial intelligence and digital transformation transcend national boundaries, regional cooperation is seen as essential to protect digital rights. These efforts aim to ensure that technological advancements reach underserved populations throughout the Mano River Union region.
The forum defined 5 core priorities for regional digital integration, including affordable internet and unified AI standards. This effort represents the 3rd edition of the platform, building on previous attempts to coordinate digital policy among the 4 participating MRU countries.
The players
Mariana Bangura
A Sierra Leonean parliamentarian who outlined five key priorities for regional digital rights and AI cooperation.
Marshall Sambolla
The Assistant Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications who pushed for Liberia to modernize its economy through a cashless transition.
The details
The forum brought together policymakers, technology experts, and civil society actors to negotiate frameworks for managing emerging technologies. Speakers emphasized that regional alignment on digital rights is required to address the borderless nature of AI deployment. The approach focuses on creating common legal standards to replace disconnected national policies that currently govern data privacy and infrastructure development.
Timeline
September 21-22, 2026: The Mano River Union Internet Governance Forum occurred in Paynesville.
The Tech Race
This regional coordination effort aligns with broader continental initiatives to harmonize technological infrastructure and regulatory standards. By creating a unified block, the MRU seeks to improve its leverage in regional AI deployment compared to fragmented individual national efforts.
Residents across the Mano River Union region should expect potential changes in internet affordability and digital payment access as national policies begin to align. The transition toward a modernized, cashless economy remains dependent on these upcoming regional legal framework implementations.
The takeaway
The move toward a unified regional digital policy marks a significant shift in how West African nations approach emerging technology governance. Stakeholders should track the development of binding treaties or standardized legislative bills resulting from these five priorities in future union sessions.
Further reading
For more on how international policies are shaping the technology landscape, explore our Artificial Intelligence section.
Live Poll
Should regional digital policies prioritize guaranteed internet access for rural and vulnerable communities?
