Artificial intelligence is now emerging as a key driver of transformation in public services . In Dakar, at the "Visa Power Meeting," held on Thursday, October 2, experts, public decision-makers, and financial stakeholders debated its central role in the digitalization of the economy and the modernization of government action.

It's no longer a distant horizon or jargon reserved for research laboratories. AI is increasingly establishing itself as a concrete tool that is revolutionizing economic and administrative practices, offering governments new management, planning, and transparency capabilities. But how can this technology be used to build modern, accessible, and citizen-oriented administrations?

This is the question that the "Visa Power Meeting" sought to answer, a gathering organized in Dakar and dedicated to the uses of AI in economic development and public governance. "AI is not just a tool, it's an accelerator of change," Ismahill Diaby, Vice President and CEO for West and Central Africa, emphatically stated as he opened the meeting. For him, it's about thinking about the concrete impact on daily lives, the ability of governments to be more efficient, closer to citizens, and fairer in the distribution of resources.

“Visa wants to be this catalyst for the digital transition”

Visa, a global player in digital payments, is claiming a broader mission here. It's not just about providing technical solutions, but also about opening doors where there were barriers, "offering everyone the opportunity to fully participate in the digital economy" and, above all, helping to build inclusive societies. With more than 4.7 billion cards in circulation worldwide, connected to 150 million merchants and supported by more than 15,600 financial institutions, Visa aims to be this catalyst for the digital transition.

The results are already visible in some African countries. "In Kenya, we have reduced the processing time for administrative operations by 50%. In Nigeria, billions of dollars are tracked through digital monitoring systems. Overall, we're talking about a 90% reduction in processing times," explained Magloire Hiol, Director of Government Solutions, West and Central Africa – Visa. At the heart of this movement is a decisive innovation: digital identity. It constitutes the foundation of any digital ecosystem. Without a reliable and recognized identity, there is no secure payment, no equitable access to public services, and no interoperability between administrations and citizens. The shift towards digital wallets, these electronic wallets that bring together identity documents, supporting documents, certificates, and means of payment, paves the way for a smoother, faster, and, above all, more inclusive administration.

Security, inclusion and prosperity: a shared vision

However, while artificial intelligence is synonymous with efficiency, it must also rhyme with trust. Each year, more than 310 billion transactions pass through the Visa network, making it one of the busiest financial systems in the world. The slightest flaw could weaken millions of economic actors. This is why security is central.

Over the past five years, Visa has invested $11 billion in cybersecurity, tokenization, team training, and the implementation of artificial intelligence solutions dedicated to fraud prevention. These massive investments reflect a conviction: without trust, the digitalization of public services would remain incomplete.

“At Visa, trust is at the heart of this technological revolution. AI helps us anticipate risks, protect against fraud, and secure every exchange between a citizen and their government,” emphasized Ismahill Diaby. For him, this prevention capacity is also a guarantee of stability for African states, which are seeing the share of their dematerialized transactions grow. “Today, we have demonstrated that Senegal, Africa, and Visa share the same ambitions: to build a future where technology, innovation, and collaboration serve inclusion and prosperity,” said Sandra Gayibor, Visa Country Director.