The International Council on Archives (ICA), in close partnership with the Senegal Archives Department, the School of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists (EBAD), with support from the UNESCO Participation Programme and the Interministerial Service of the Archives of France (SIAF), successfully concluded its regional workshop Thinking Digital in Archives in Dakar from 17 to 20 November 2025. This initiative is part of ICA’s continuing commitment to strengthening archival capacity and digital readiness across the African continent.
Bringing together 25 professionals from 14 francophone African countries, the workshop offered five intensive days of training, peer exchange, and hands-on practice with digital tools and approaches.
Setting the tone: a call for modernisation and preservation
The opening ceremony was hosted by Director of the Senegal Archives Directorate, Mr Mohamed Lat Sack Diop. In this first event of the week, the remarks were delivered by ICA President Josée Kirps, EBAD Director Djibril Diakhaté, and representatives of national archival institutions who reaffirmed a shared vision: investing in digital archival literacy is essential to sustaining access, transparency, and memory in rapidly evolving information environments.
The onsite opening was presided over by Mr Abdoulaye Faye, Deputy Secretary-General of the Government of Senegal, who reminded participants that the modernisation of historical archives necessarily requires “the full use of digital technology”, noting that records must be preserved “for current and future generations”. He added that digitalisation has become “an indispensable tool for development, but above all for the preservation and conservation of archives”, especially in contexts where “volumetrics remain a major challenge”.
A comprehensive and collaborative programme
Across the week, participants engaged in an extensive programme that combined expert lectures, practical exercises, and institutional visits. The workshop began by exploring the relationship between sustainable development and the digital future of archives through the insights of Prof. Mor Dieye, followed by an in-depth examination of the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence in archival practice, presented by Prof. Dr Basma Makhlouf-Shabou.
Building on these foundations, participants engaged in hands-on exercises using data-profiling and digital processing tools such as Archifiltre, followed by an inspiring lecture from Dr. Adama Pam, Chief Archivist of UNESCO, on the theme “Digitizing Our Common History.” They completed the day by examining digitisation strategies, workflows, and sustainability models in GLAM institutions with Adama Koné. Later in the week, trainer Mamadou Dia introduced participants to digital recordkeeping systems and intelligent information infrastructures through practical sessions on Alfresco and SharePoint, offering concrete examples of how these platforms can support the valuation and long-term management of digital archives.
These sessions were enriched by a visit to the Museum of Historical Heritage of the Armed Forces. This field visit allowed participants to connect theoretical learning with real-world practices and challenges. Throughout the programme, ICA also highlighted the development of The Open Map for Archives Network in Africa (CORAA), a major initiative of the ICA Africa Programme designed to strengthen collaboration and better understand archival ecosystems across the continent.
Participant reflections: breaking barriers and building capacity
Several participants shared powerful testimonies about what this training represented in their professional journeys. From the Democratic Republic of Congo, Marguerite Liombo Singa explained how the workshop bridged gaps she normally encounters:
We already have applications arriving and we are moving into digitisation. But the transmission of training is not the same because there is a problem of language barriers. With the workshop in Senegal, thinking digital in archives, I broke the language barrier. I learn the technical terms with archival experts, and I can assimilate and transmit what I’ve learned to others.
From Burkina Faso, Sansan Christian Kambou emphasised how the training clarified future steps:
After everything we have learned, the next step will be to communicate and mobilise all actors in order to succeed in the digitisation project. We also had the opportunity to meet funders whom we can approach to support institutions already asking for assistance.
From Senegal’s National Archives, Cheikhou Oumar Tall highlighted both the professional and collective benefits:
I particularly want to thank ICA for the organisation and the opportunity to participate… It was a chance to learn new techniques and methods linked to our missions, especially in automation and data management. I also ask that this type of event be organised more often, especially here in Africa, and that we try to maintain this group as a network to see where we will be in five or ten years.
Trainer perspectives: motivation, diversity, and the urgency of digital skills
Trainer Mamadou Dia noted the exceptional dedication shown by participants:
What struck me most was their level of engagement. They were highly motivated and came from diverse backgrounds — public archivists, health administration, private institutions. This diversity allowed us to look at security, confidentiality, and data integrity from multiple angles. These are trainings to be continued, because Africa faces major challenges with enormous masses of data to manage.
Looking ahead
In the closing session, participants presented their practical work and reflected collectively on the importance of digital stewardship for the future of archives. Certificates were awarded, but more importantly, networks were strengthened and new professional communities began to take shape.
This workshop demonstrated once again how ICA’s programmes, together with committed partners across Africa and beyond, are equipping archivists with the tools, knowledge, and networks they need to navigate the digital age confidently and responsibly.
The ICA extends its sincere gratitude to the Senegal Archives Directorate, the Senegal Archives Department, the School of Librarians, Archivists and Documentalists (EBAD), the UNESCO Participation Programme, and the Interministerial Service of the Archives of France (SIAF) for their invaluable support in making this training activity possible.
Finally, we warmly thank all trainers and participants whose engagement and contributions shaped this enriching and inspiring week of learning.
