DAVOS, Switzerland (BG) — Togo is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to map poverty and ensure direct support reaches its neediest citizens, according to a discussion at this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos.
Cina Lawson, Minister of Digital Economy and Digital Transformation of Togo, detailed how technology has transformed governance in the West African nation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on a panel titled “Governments, Rewired,” Lawson outlined the two main ways Togo uses AI. “We used satellite imagery to draw a poverty map of Togo so that we would know the range of revenues for each neighborhood of the country,” she said.
“So we had a map of all the revenues earned by the Togolese. That enabled us to answer question number one, which is, where are the poorest individuals? And then question number two was, who are they?”
Lawson explained that the government applied a second AI algorithm to cellphone metadata, which identified the poorest individuals in the country. The system then allowed the government to reach these individuals directly.
“We texted them; we sent them SMS asking them to register onto our platform using their voters’ IDs, and then we started to distribute cash directly to them,” she said.
The program, initiated during the COVID 19 pandemic, is an example of how technology can modernize governance to meet the needs of a digital society.
Cutting-edge technologies can transform public services and enhance citizen engagement, according to panel discussions which also addressed the challenges governments face in transitioning from bureaucracy to agility.
Overcoming Political and Institutional Resistance
Implementing AI-based solutions was not without its challenges, Lawson acknowledged. Within the government, opinions were divided.
“We had two types of people: very supportive people on the one hand, and then groups of people we call the legacy people, who didn’t really trust the technology—they were afraid of this failing,” Lawson said.
However, political backing from the highest level proved instrumental. “The president [Faure Gnassingbé] himself was supportive, and he was the one who said, let’s do it, and let’s make sure that it’s quick and efficient,” she said “after the support of the president, obviously, everybody was aligned, and we were able to make it happen.”
The program’s success led to further scaling. “Fast forward to 2025, with the help of the World Bank, we received additional funding to make sure that we would scale this methodology. So now even people who used to be reluctant in embracing this type of change have agreed to adopt it,” Lawson noted. Social protection ministries throughout Togo are now implementing the approach.
On the citizens’ side, the reception was overwhelmingly positive. “The citizens were pleased because they received cash, right? So everybody was super enthusiastic,” Lawson said, highlighting the program’s direct and immediate benefits.
A Model for Development
Achim Steiner, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), praised Togo’s innovative use of technology, framing it as an example for the global community.
“Well, I think listening to this story just shows how often every day across the world the future is being invented,” Steiner said during the panel discussion.
Steiner reflected on how Togo’s initiative stood out during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I remember when you began amid COVID to put this platform in place, we immediately knew about it because we have a team in Togo,” he said.
While many countries struggled to conduct socioeconomic assessments during the crisis, Steiner noted Togo’s rapid progress. “In three months in 120 countries, what was the impact? What were the means? What were the pivots that countries were able to pull off? And Togo popped right to the top of the list,” he said.
The initiative exemplifies the potential of digital transformation in developing countries. “Even if you are in a poor country, the poor economy, there is an extraordinary potential to invent the future,” Steiner emphasized.
Scaling Up: A Global Opportunity
Togo’s experience showcases the broader opportunity for governments worldwide to modernize systems and harness digital technologies.
The ability to innovate amid financial constraints is critical. With high debt levels and fiscal tightening in many nations, panelists discussed how technology could enable governments to leapfrog traditional barriers and embrace more agile systems.
Togo’s use of AI to deliver targeted support offers a roadmap for other countries navigating similar challenges.
Governments can enhance efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in public service delivery, even in resource-constrained environments leveraging technology such as AI.
Lawson’s reflections and Steiner’s endorsement demonstrate how countries like Togo are active innovators charting the path for digital transformation.
The conversation at Davos signals that the future of development is being written in the ecosystems where technologies like AI are beginning to transform.
