This article is a comparative analysis of how African governments are developing artificial intelligence regulations which come in the form of legislation, national strategies and policies.
As artificial intelligence goes mainstream African governments must develop legislation that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the risks of AI systems to society.
We analyzed the AI regulations of 54 African countries using the the following indicators for comparison
- AI legislation
- National AI strategy
- Multi-stakeholder consultations to develop AI regulations
African countries with dedicated AI legislation
It’s not surprising that no African country has enacted AI legislation yet, considering that the EU AI Act which is the world’s first AI legislation came into force on August 1.
On May 23 China released draft regulations on Generative AI titled Cybersecurity Technology – Basic Security Requirements for Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Service, this is expected to become law in the next year or so.
African countries with a national AI strategy
The following 12 African countries – Mauritius, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Benin, Rwanda, South Africa, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Nigeria have a national AI strategy.
| Country | AI regulation | Year / Date |
| Mauritius | Mauritius Artificial Intelligence Strategy | November 2018 |
| Egypt | Egypt National Artificial Intelligence Strategy | 2019 |
| Algeria | Algeria’s National Strategy on Research and Innovation in AI | 2021 |
| Ghana | Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: 2023-2033 | October 2022 |
| Benin | Benin’s National Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Strategy (2023 – 2027) | January 2023 |
| Rwanda | The National AI Policy of Rwanda | April 2023 |
| Senegal | Senegal’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy | September 2023 |
| Mauritania | The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of Mauritania (2024- 2029) | March 2024 |
| South Africa | South Africa’s Draft Artificial Intelligence Plan | 5 April 2024 |
| Kenya | Kenya’s Draft Code of Practice for AI applications | 8 April 2024 |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopia’s National AI Strategy | 27 June 2024 |
| Nigeria | Nigeria’s Draft National AI Strategy | 2 August 2024 |
African countries developing AI regulation
Developing AI regulation is a lengthy process, for instance, it took 3 years for the European Union’s AI Act to move from its initial proposal in April 2021 to become law on August 1, 2024.
The African Union signaled the continent’s intent to keep pace with the rest of the world in AI regulation by launching the AU’s Continent’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy document on August 9.
Our research has revealed that seven African countries—Zambia, Tunisia, Morocco, Namibia, Seychelles, Tanzania, and Botswana—are engaging in multi-stakeholder consultations to formulate national AI regulations.
| Country | Progress |
| Zambia | Zambia is developing an AI Strategy in collaboration with the Tony Blair Institute according to the Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati (27 June 2024) |
| Tunisia | An AI task force has been conducting workshops to solicit ideas on developing Tunisia’s National AI Strategy since 20 April 2018 |
| Morocco | The Morocco AI Conference has been held annually since 2021, producing recommendations on a National AI Strategy. |
| Namibia | Namibia’s Ministry of Higher Education is spearheading multi-stakeholder meetings in partnership with UNESCO to develop AI regulation – 2 October 2023 |
| Seychelles | Members of the Seychelles National Assembly attended an AI training seminar in March 2024 |
| Tanzania | Tanzania’s Ministry of ICT invited stakeholders to comment on a draft National AI Strategy. – June 2024 |
| Botswana | Botswana has partnered with Estonia to develop the country’s AI Strategy. |
