Preserving West African Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age: A Comparative Analysis

The rapid advancement of digital technologies has transformed how cultural heritage is preserved, managed, and accessed in West Africa. A comparative study involving fieldwork in rural and urban settings across Guinea, employing semi-structured interviews and ethnographic observations. In Guinée Forestière, the use of mobile applications for oral history documentation was more prevalent (60%) compared to other regions like Conakry, where digital storytelling platforms were more popular (75%). Digital tools have emerged as crucial in maintaining cultural continuity but vary significantly by region and community. Policy makers should incentivize the development of culturally sensitive digital platforms that support traditional knowledge transmission.