In a forward-looking initiative, UNICEF WCARO has partnered with the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) function of the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovation in enhancing public policy evaluation. The joint effort aims to equip Members of Parliament with cutting-edge tools and knowledge to improve legislative oversight, particularly for policies impacting children, adolescents, and youth.
The high-level workshop convened in Abidjan brought together parliamentarians, evaluation professionals, and digital experts to examine how AI can strengthen predictive analysis, real-time monitoring, and the use of evidence in decision-making. UNICEF’s engagement emphasized the importance of child-sensitive and equity-focused evaluation practices, while also advocating for ethical AI applications in governance and public service delivery.
This initiative reflects UNICEF’s growing role in advancing digital transformation and national evaluation capacity across West and Central Africa. It also offers a promising entry point for expanding collaboration with parliaments on evidence-informed policymaking to accelerate progress toward the SDGs and uphold the rights of every child.
