African Lotteries Association in Abidjan for AI, cybersecurity seminar
From 23 to 25 June 2025, the African Lotteries Association (ALA) hosted two consecutive gatherings that signalled its determination to navigate the digital era with foresight and cohesion. The three-day program gathered Directors General of African lotteries and their delegations in Abidjan for training sessions, high-level dialogue, and collective decision-making.
Dialogue before deliberation
Delegations began arriving in Abidjan on June 23, setting the tone for collaboration that extended through to 25 June. By scheduling a thematic seminar ahead of its statutory meetings, ALA is ensuring that the latest operational and technological realities inform policy discussions.
Throughout the first day, informal exchanges centred on regulatory harmonisation, responsible gaming, and the shared challenges of digitisation. These conversations created momentum for the official seminar that followed.
Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity
On 24 June, the Azalaï Hotel in Marcory became the focal point of the week when staged a one-day seminar under the banner “Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.” The chosen theme is a direct response to the accelerating integration of innovative technologies into lottery and sports-betting operations across the continent. Participants reviewed predictive analytics for draw integrity, customer-facing chat platforms, and advanced fraud-monitoring systems—all innovations that hold promise for improving transparency and efficiency.
Equally urgent was the second pillar of the agenda. With rising incidences of hacking, data theft, and payment interception in the broader gaming ecosystem, cybersecurity measures are no longer optional safeguards but absolute necessities. Speakers mapped current threat vectors, shared mitigation frameworks, and highlighted staff training requirements that must accompany technological upgrades.
Leadership on the podium
The seminar opened with keynote remarks delivered by Mr. Doumbia Fassery, Vice President of ALA and Director General of PMU Mali, who spoke on behalf of Mr. Dramane Coulibaly, President of ALA and Director General of . Mr. Fassery welcomed delegates and underlined the urgency of aligning innovation with robust security. His message set a collaborative tone, encouraging each member organisation to view technological adoption and risk management as two sides of the same coin.
Prominent attendance bolstered the event’s authority. Among those seated were Mr. Abdoulkarim Ouattara, Deputy Director General of LONACI, alongside several members of the ALA Board of Directors. Their presence underscored ALA’s intent to translate seminar insights into actionable policy once the Annual General Assembly convenes.
Interactive exchanges and practical takeaways
Panel discussions blended continental experience with case studies from global partners. Experts traced how machine-learning algorithms can forecast ticket demand, optimise retailer networks, and personalise player outreach, all while flagging vulnerabilities that opportunistic cybercriminals might exploit. Demonstrations of multi-factor authentication, encryption layers, and real-time monitoring drew particular interest, prompting lively follow-up questions from delegates eager to fortify their organisations.
Workshops later in the afternoon moved beyond theory. Small working groups assessed current infrastructure gaps, benchmarked spending on security protocols, and drafted preliminary action lists. By dusk, many representatives reported fresh ideas for cost-effective upgrades that could be implemented within existing budgets.
General assembly on June 25
The week’s momentum culminated on 25 June, when the same venue hosts ALA’s Annual General Assembly. During that session, members will “review key achievements, adopt new resolutions, and strengthen inter-member collaboration to advance the Association’s mission across the continent.” Resolutions arising from the previous day’s seminar are expected to feature prominently on the agenda, reinforcing the linkage between technological foresight and organisational governance.
Many delegates express optimism that a formal roadmap on cybersecurity standards could emerge, accompanied by peer-review mechanisms to ensure follow-through. Others anticipate joint research initiatives that will help smaller lotteries access artificial intelligence tools without bearing prohibitive costs.
ALA’s ongoing mandate
Founded in 1981 and headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, ALA remains the continent’s principal forum for state-authorised lottery and operators. As a non-profit organisation, its stated mission is to “foster collaboration among its members to promote integrity, transparency, and responsible gaming practices.” Regular seminars and assemblies, such as the Abidjan gatherings, are central to this mandate, offering structured environments where knowledge can be exchanged freely and uniformly adopted.
