Cultural Heritage Digital Preservation in West Africa: A Mixed-Methods Assessment

Cultural heritage in West Africa faces significant challenges due to environmental factors such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and vandalism. Digital preservation offers a viable solution but requires tailored approaches considering local contexts. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining semi-structured interviews with a survey among stakeholders including museum curators, local communities, and digital preservation experts. Data were analysed using thematic coding and statistical software for comprehensive insights. The survey revealed that 75% of artifacts in museums have been digitized within the last five years, indicating a growing trend towards digital conservation. Interviews highlighted challenges such as funding constraints and lack of technical skills among local communities. Digital preservation efforts are advancing but face significant hurdles. Stakeholders recommend increased investment in training programmes for local communities and improved collaboration between cultural institutions and technology providers. Stakeholders should prioritise capacity building initiatives to enhance digital preservation capabilities within Morocco’s cultural sector, especially focusing on community engagement and technological support.