Country Profile on AI Governance: DR Congo

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 1.56 · all 54 states mean 1.76.

1. S1.1

   National AI strategy existence

   Score 2 / 4

   First National AI Strategy launched on October 8 2025 by Minister Augustin Kibassa Maliba alongside the National Digital Plan 2026-2030 (PNN2); Congolese Academy of Artificial Intelligence announced; National Digital Plan Horizon 2025 achieved approximately 60% completion

   Note: Strategy launched October 2025; implementing mechanisms still being established; scored 2 (developing) as formal adoption occurred but implementation architecture not yet operational

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

2. S1.2

   Strategy adoption date

   Score 1 / 4

   October 2025 (2025-10), first National AI Strategy formally launched alongside PNN2 at ministerial event in Kinshasa

   Note: Formal ministerial launch confirmed; official gazette date not publicly confirmed; scored 2 as formal adoption event documented

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Adopted 2025-10: 8 months before 2026-06-30.

   Sources ecofinagency.com (opens in a new tab)

3. S1.3

   Political commitment signals

   Score 3 / 4

   Minister Kibassa Maliba personally launched PNN2 and AI Strategy; USD 1 billion government commitment over 5 years plus USD 500 million external financing secured; DRC critical minerals positioning (coltan, cobalt) cited as strategic AI driver; Presidential-level endorsement implied through budget commitment

   Note: Strong ministerial-level commitment with multi-year budget; presidential decree not independently confirmed; scored 3 as institutional action with budget commitment

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

4. S1.4

   Dedicated AI budget allocation

   Score 2 / 4

   USD 1 billion committed by government over 5 years; USD 500 million external financing secured; USD 150 million UIL deal for 3 data centres signed October 2025; General Technologies (India) USD 1 billion MoU signed February 2025; total PNN2 envelope estimated at USD 8.7 billion

   Note: Multi-year allocation confirmed at strategy level; ring-fenced AI-specific budget portion not disaggregated from broader digital investment; scored 2 (developing) as multi-year commitment exists but AI-specific line item unconfirmed

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

5. S1.5

   AU Continental AI Strategy alignment

   Score 2 / 4

   PNN2 explicitly aligns with AU Agenda 2063 and African Union digital transformation targets; DRC participated in ECA National Data Governance Strategy validation workshop (November 2025) with 100+ senior officials; ECA formally handed over the National Data Governance Strategy to the DRC government

   Note: Formal alignment process documented through ECA partnership; AU AI Technical Committee engagement not independently confirmed; scored 2 as alignment process underway but not yet fully verified

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

6. S1.6

   Multi-stakeholder consultation

   Score 3 / 4

   ECA capacity-building workshop November 2025 brought together 100+ senior government officials, regulators, and private sector representatives; PNN2 developed with World Bank, ECA, UNESCO, and bilateral international partners; Cisco and Cybastion training partnership signed September 2025

   Note: Formal multi-stakeholder process documented for both PNN2 and the Data Governance Strategy; ongoing permanent mechanism not confirmed; scored 3 as formal consultation with institutional record

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

7. S1.7

   Sector prioritisation

   Score 3 / 4

   AI Strategy explicitly identifies agriculture, mining and critical minerals, education, and healthcare as priority sectors; DRC critical minerals sector (cobalt, coltan, lithium) featured as strategic AI driver for the continent; sector-specific targets included in PNN2 pillars

   Note: Specific sectors identified with strategic rationale; individual sector AI roadmaps not yet published; scored 3 as specific sectors named with targets

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

8. S1.8

   Implementation roadmap

   Score 2 / 4

   PNN2 2026-2030 structured around 4 pillars with phased targets: 650 communities connected, 30 million people with digital access, 250,000 youth trained (Cisco/Cybastion partnership, September 2025); earlier Horizon 2025 plan evaluated as approximately 60% complete

   Note: Phased plan with quantified targets; milestone accountability framework not fully documented; scored 2 as phased plan exists with targets but detailed annual accountability not confirmed

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

9. S1.9

   Monitoring and evaluation framework

   Score 1 / 4

   No standalone AI M&E framework published; PNN1 (Horizon 2025) was evaluated as approximately 60% complete which served as basis for PNN2 design; ECA partnership implies periodic review; no active AI governance reporting cycle confirmed

   Note: Planned through ECA partnership; no active reporting cycle; scored 1 as initial planning for review is nascent

   Sources govinsider.asia (opens in a new tab)

10. S1.10

    Strategy review mechanism

    Score 1 / 4

    ECA and World Bank partnerships imply periodic strategy reviews; PNN1 evaluation (approximately 60% completion) suggests review mechanism exists; no formal gazetted AI strategy review schedule confirmed

    Note: Implicit review function via ECA/World Bank partnership; no adaptive AI governance mechanism formally established; scored 1 as nascent review capacity

    Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 1.28 · all 54 states mean 1.32.

1. G2.1

   AI-specific legislation

   Score 1 / 4

   No AI-specific law enacted; Digital Code (Law N°23-010 of 13 March 2023) provides general digital governance framework; AI Strategy (October 2025) calls for dedicated AI governance structures; AI governance under active discussion

   Note: Under discussion following AI Strategy launch; Digital Code 2023 serves as general foundation; AI-specific legislation not yet drafted

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

2. G2.2

   Data protection law status

   Score 3 / 4

   Digital Code N°23-010 (13 March 2023) enacted with comprehensive personal data protection provisions; Ministerial Decree issued August 2024 implementing key provisions; DPA (Autorite de Protection des Donnees Personnelles, APDP) formally established in 2024

   Note: Law enacted 2023; implementing decree August 2024; DPA established 2024; scored 3 as enacted with DPA operational, though enforcement limited

   Sources dlapiperdataprotection.com (opens in a new tab)

3. G2.3

   DPA AI mandate

   Score 2 / 4

   APDP (DPA) established 2024 under the Digital Code; mandate covers automated data processing; Digital Code Article provisions address profiling and automated decision-making; no explicit standalone AI oversight mandate confirmed

   Note: DPA operational since 2024; AI-specific mandate implied by automated processing provisions but not explicitly stated; scored 2 as DPA exists with relevant mandate

   Sources techhiveadvisory.africa (opens in a new tab)

4. G2.4

   DPA staffing and budget

   Score 0 / 4

   No published data on APDP staff count, AI technical competency, or annual budget; DPA was newly established in 2024 and operational details not publicly available

   Note: DPA new; staffing and budget data not disclosed; scored 0 as no quantitative data available

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

5. G2.5

   AI regulatory body existence

   Score 2 / 4

   Congolese Academy of Artificial Intelligence announced October 2025 as a flagship institution; 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' student initiative launched; national cybersecurity institutions established under PNN2; AI Advisory Committee implied by PNN2 governance structure

   Note: AI Academy announced but not yet confirmed as fully established and operational; advisory structure forming; scored 2 as developing, formal announcement with budget

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

6. G2.6

   Institutional design model

   Score 2 / 4

   Emerging multi-body model: APDP for data protection; AI Academy for talent and research; national cybersecurity centre; ARPTC (telecom regulator) for sector oversight; sector-specific bodies to develop under PNN2

   Note: Multi-body approach developing; no single unified AI regulator; scored 2 as institutional design actively being constructed

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

7. G2.7

   Malabo Convention ratification

   Score 1 / 4

   DRC signed the AU Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection but has not ratified it; no ratification reported as of June 2026 despite enactment of the Digital Code 2023

   Note: Signed only; ratification not recorded despite domestic data law; scored 1 as nascent engagement

   Sources en.wikipedia.org (opens in a new tab)

8. G2.8

   Enforcement actions taken

   Score 1 / 4

   APDP established 2024 with formal mandate; Ministerial Decree August 2024 issued; no confirmed AI-specific enforcement actions documented; ARPTC has imposed telecom sector fines historically

   Note: Early enforcement stage; DPA mandate established but AI enforcement absent; scored 1 as investigation capacity nascent

   Sources dlapiperdataprotection.com (opens in a new tab)

9. G2.9

   Extraterritorial provisions

   Score 2 / 4

   Digital Code N°23-010 includes provisions for processing 'with effects within the territory of the DRC'; partial extraterritorial coverage; broader than CAR/Chad frameworks; alignment with GDPR extraterritorial model partial

   Note: Partial extraterritorial coverage in Digital Code; comprehensive extraterritorial AI provisions not confirmed; scored 2 as developing framework

   Sources dig.watch (opens in a new tab)

10. G2.10

    IP framework for AI

    Score 0 / 4

    No review of IP legislation for AI-generated content identified; OAPI (Organisation Africaine de la Propriete Intellectuelle) covers DRC for intellectual property; no AI IP review initiated domestically

    Note: OAPI provides regional IP framework; domestic AI-specific IP review not initiated

Mean of the 9 scored indicators; 1 carries no score. East Africa mean 1.54 · all 54 states mean 1.51.

No score: 1 context only.

1. I3.1

   Data center count

   Score 2 / 4

   Raxio DRC1 Tier 3 data centre operational in Kinshasa; USD 150 million UIL deal (October 2025) for 3 new data centres including flagship Tier 3 in Kinshasa; DRC Pass blockchain identity system requires local hosting; additional facilities in Lubumbashi and Goma reported

   Note: 2-4 commercial data centres with rapid expansion; Raxio DRC1 confirmed operational; Tier 3 expansion underway; scored 2 as developing infrastructure

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 3 (data centres).

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

2. I3.2

   Data center capacity (MW)

   Score 1 / 4

   Raxio DRC1 Tier 3 capacity not publicly disclosed; new Tier 3 Kinshasa facility under construction via UIL deal; specific MW capacity not published for any DRC facility

   Note: Facilities exist and are expanding but MW capacity data not publicly available; scored 1 as nascent, some infrastructure confirmed without capacity data

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

3. I3.3

   Submarine cable landing points

   Score 2 / 4

   2Africa cable lands at Muanda (DRC Atlantic coast); Central African Backbone (CAB5) fibre network extends inland connectivity; at least 1-2 confirmed international submarine cable connections; Eastern DRC relies on SEACOM via Rwanda and Uganda

   Note: 2Africa and CAB5 confirmed; exact total cable landing count approximately 1-2 direct; scored 2 as multiple international connections established

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. 2 cable systems (TeleGeography, accessed 2026-10-06).

   Sources dig.watch (opens in a new tab)

4. I3.4

   International bandwidth (Gbps)

   Score 1 / 4

   Internet penetration approximately 27% as of 2024; mobile internet 32.2% as of September 2025; mobile data costs USD 0.88 per GB, among Africa's lowest; total bandwidth improving rapidly with 2Africa cable but rural-urban divide is severe

   Note: Improving rapidly but severe rural-urban connectivity divide persists; bandwidth data not published in Gbps; scored 1 as improving but still limited

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

5. I3.5

   Hyperscaler presence

   Score 1 / 4

   No confirmed AWS, Azure, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud local infrastructure in DRC; sovereign Tier 3 data centre being built; PNN2 explicitly identifies hyperscaler attraction as a strategic goal; no hyperscaler has announced a DRC deployment

   Note: Hyperscaler absence is a noted strategic gap in PNN2; active effort to attract providers; scored 1 as plans exist but no provider confirmed

6. I3.6

   GPU/HPC access

   Score 1 / 4

   New Tier 3 Kinshasa data centre designed to 'handle AI-driven applications' per UIL agreement; Cisco/Cybastion training partnership provides cloud-based AI computing access for trainees; no national HPC or GPU facility confirmed

   Note: Commercial AI computing capacity planned; no national HPC facility; Cisco training provides limited cloud-based access; scored 1 as nascent/limited academic access through cloud

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

7. I3.7

   Data localisation provisions

   Score 2 / 4

   Digital Code 2023 includes cross-border data transfer conditions requiring consent, adequacy, or contractual safeguards; PNN2 strongly emphasises digital sovereignty and local data hosting; DRC Pass digital identity system requires data localisation

   Note: Developing localisation framework; Digital Code provisions and sovereign infrastructure investment together constitute a developing framework; scored 2

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

8. I3.8

   Cross-border data flow framework

   Score 2 / 4

   Digital Code 2023 includes cross-border data transfer conditions; ECA-validated National Data Governance Strategy (November 2025) specifically addresses cross-border governance frameworks; COMESA and ECCAS regional frameworks provide additional context

   Note: Formal legal and policy framework developing through Digital Code and ECA Data Governance Strategy; scored 2 as developing framework

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

9. I3.9

   Foreign AI surveillance spending

   ○Context only: Context flag outside the score

   No documented government spending on foreign AI surveillance systems; DRC conflict context (eastern DRC armed groups) creates risk but no AI surveillance procurement publicly confirmed

   Note: No evidence found; conflict context heightens risk of unregulated surveillance but no procurement confirmed

   Scoring basis Context flag; outside the score. Raw value read from the evidence: "No documented government spending on foreign AI surveillance systems".

10. I3.10

    Sovereign cloud initiatives

    Score 2 / 4

    USD 150 million UIL data centre deal (October 2025) explicitly framed as sovereign digital infrastructure; Tier 3 Kinshasa centre; DRC Pass blockchain identity system; PNN2 digital sovereignty pillar; Trident Digital PPP for DRC Pass

    Note: Active sovereign cloud development with confirmed investments; operationalisation in progress; scored 2 as under active development with committed funding

    Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 1.18 · all 54 states mean 1.20.

1. H4.1

   AI researchers per million

   Score 1 / 4

   Oxford Insights 2025 AI Readiness Index ranks DRC below the African continental average (29.12/100); nascent but growing AI researcher community at University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) and Universite de Lubumbashi; no official per-million AI researcher count published

   Note: Small but existing researcher base; no national registry; scored 1 as nascent research community documented

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

   Sources ecofinagency.com (opens in a new tab)

2. H4.2

   DPA staff with AI competency

   Score 0 / 4

   No published data on APDP staff count or AI technical competency; DPA newly established 2024 and staffing details not publicly disclosed

   Note: DPA new; AI-competent regulatory staff data unavailable; scored 0

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

3. H4.3

   University AI programs

   Score 2 / 4

   Congolese Academy of Artificial Intelligence announced October 2025 as Africa-facing institution; University of Kinshasa and Universite de Lubumbashi have computer science programmes with some ML content; Cisco and Cybastion training partnership targets 250,000 youth by 2030 (launched September 2025); 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' student initiative active

   Note: AI Academy not yet operational; CS programmes with AI components exist at major universities; Cisco training at scale is significant; scored 2 as developing, multiple formal programmes initiated

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

4. H4.4

   African-authored AI publications

   Score 1 / 4

   Limited but growing AI publication output; University of Kinshasa researchers publishing in international venues; 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' student initiative targets research capacity; no annual count of DRC-affiliated AI publications found

   Note: Small but growing academic AI output; no national research database; scored 1 as nascent

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

5. H4.5

   AI patents filed

   Score 0 / 4

   No AI-related patents filed by DRC-affiliated inventors documented; OAPI covers DRC for intellectual property registration; AI patent activity absent

   Note: Patent infrastructure exists via OAPI; AI patent activity not documented

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (AI patent applications/year). Raw value read from the evidence: "No AI-related patents filed by DRC-affiliated inventors documented". Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

6. H4.6

   K-12 CS education

   Score 1 / 4

   PNN2 includes digital skills for youth as a cross-cutting theme; no mandatory K-12 computer science curriculum confirmed; Cisco/Cybastion partnership provides some digital skills training; 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' targets secondary students

   Note: Digital skills referenced in PNN2; no formal mandatory CS curriculum; youth digital training programmes active; scored 1 as nascent pilot

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

7. H4.7

   AI workforce training programs

   Score 2 / 4

   Cisco and Cybastion formal partnership launched September 2025 targeting 250,000 youth trained by 2030; Airtel DRC providing free internet access to trainees; AI Academy planned as anchor institution; 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' initiative for students

   Note: Significant scale ambition with formal partnerships; Cisco training currently in pilot phase; scored 2 as formal programme with institutional backing but not yet at stated scale

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

8. H4.8

   Labour transition policy

   Score 1 / 4

   PNN2 addresses employment creation and digital economy transition; AI Strategy references jobs creation (DRC positions itself to leverage critical minerals in AI supply chain); no formal standalone AI-labour transition policy adopted

   Note: Under discussion at strategy level; no formal policy document; scored 1 as nascent discussion

9. H4.9

   Informal economy AI assessment

   Score 0 / 4

   No government assessment of AI's impact on the informal economy; informal sector represents approximately 80-90% of DRC employment; no assessment commissioned or published

   Note: Critical gap given scale of informal economy; not yet addressed in any policy document

10. H4.10

    African language NLP coverage

    Score 3 / 4

    Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, and Tshiluba are DRC's four official languages with millions of speakers; some Swahili NLP research exists through regional initiatives; Lingala has emerging NLP corpus work; no DRC-sovereign LLM or comprehensive domestic NLP tool confirmed

    Note: Regional Swahili NLP tools available (East Africa); Lingala emerging in NLP research; Kikongo and Tshiluba have minimal coverage; scored 2 as some meaningful NLP support available for major languages

    Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 2 of 4 (languages supported / major languages), normalised 50. 50% of major domestic languages. Raw value read from the evidence: "Regional Swahili NLP tools available (East Africa); Lingala emerging in NLP research" [Kikongo and Tshiluba minimal; denominator (my own knowledge of major lan. Listed for second-edition review: The Thresholds sheet lists Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili as covered by NLLB-200, which gives 4 of 4. The count used follows the profile text, which counts 2 of 4.

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 0.97 · all 54 states mean 1.05.

1. N5.1

   AI companies count

   Score 2 / 4

   Growing tech ecosystem in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi; fintech (mobile money, digital banking), agritech, and health tech startups emerging; critical minerals and AI intersection attracting international attention; Startup Blink tracks DRC ecosystem; no formal AI company registry

   Note: Estimated 20-50 tech-adjacent firms with AI components; dedicated pure-AI companies limited; scored 2 as multiple companies active

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 35 (companies).

2. N5.2

   Private AI investment (USD)

   Score 2 / 4

   USD 150 million UIL data centre deal signed October 2025; General Technologies (India) USD 1 billion MoU signed February 2025; significant FDI directed at digital infrastructure; World Bank digital projects active; private AI startup investment not separately quantified

   Note: Large-scale FDI and DFI investment confirmed; private AI company investment not disaggregated; scored 2 as significant investment at infrastructure level

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

3. N5.3

   AI incubators/accelerators

   Score 0 / 4

   Tech hubs active in Kinshasa (Congo Tech, ActivSpaces partnership) and Lubumbashi; critical minerals and AI tech intersection attracting incubator attention; no dedicated standalone AI accelerator confirmed; government and private incubation models emerging

   Note: General tech hubs present in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi; AI-specific accelerator not confirmed; scored 2 as multiple tech hubs documented

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (incubators/accelerators). Raw value read from the evidence: "no dedicated standalone AI accelerator confirmed". Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

4. N5.4

   Regulatory sandbox (AI)

   Score 0 / 4

   No AI-specific regulatory sandbox identified; no digital financial services sandbox despite growing mobile money and fintech sector; PNN2 does not reference sandbox mechanism

   Note: Sandbox model not yet adopted in DRC; significant opportunity given fintech growth

5. N5.5

   Government AI procurement

   Score 2 / 4

   Government actively procuring Tier 3 data centre (USD 150 million UIL deal); DRC Pass digital identity system (Trident Digital PPP); Cisco/Cybastion training partnership; formal government digital procurement demonstrably active; no domestic AI developer preference policy confirmed

   Note: Significant government AI/digital procurement confirmed; domestic developer preference policy not established; scored 2 as formal procurement framework developing

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

6. N5.6

   AI safety evaluation capacity

   Score 0 / 4

   No AI safety testing or evaluation facility identified; no academic AI research capability sufficient for safety evaluation; APDP has no AI safety mandate; new data centre designed for AI-capable hosting but not AI safety evaluation

   Note: Pre-condition (functional AI governance ecosystem) developing; AI safety evaluation not yet relevant

7. N5.7

   ISO/IEC 42001 adoption

   Score 0 / 4

   No evidence of ISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management System Standard) adoption; no national standards body AI-specific work confirmed

   Note: Standards ecosystem for AI not yet developed

8. N5.8

   Standards body AI competency

   Score 1 / 4

   OCC (Office Congolais de Controle, national standards body) exists; no confirmed AI-specific technical committee or working group; Digital Code 2023 references technical standards but no AI standards committee

   Note: Standards body exists; AI technical capacity absent; scored 1 as institution exists without AI focus

9. N5.9

   AI risk assessment frameworks

   Score 1 / 4

   Digital Code 2023 includes data processing risk provisions including Data Protection Impact Assessment requirements; ECA National Data Governance Strategy (November 2025) addresses risk governance; no mandatory sector-specific AI risk assessment framework

   Note: Voluntary/developing framework; DPIA requirement in Digital Code is partial proxy for risk assessment; scored 1 as nascent

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

10. N5.10

    University-industry AI partnerships

    Score 2 / 4

    Cisco and Cybastion formal government partnership (September 2025) is a trilateral industry-government-training partnership; DRC Pass (Trident Digital) is a formal public-private partnership; AI Academy planned with industry partnership model; formal MoUs confirmed

    Note: Formal MoUs with international industry partners confirmed; domestic university-industry joint AI labs not confirmed; scored 2 as formal MoUs established

    Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 1.16 · all 54 states mean 1.26.

1. E6.1

   Algorithmic impact assessment

   Score 1 / 4

   Digital Code 2023 includes Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) requirements for high-risk processing; no standalone Algorithmic Impact Assessment (AIA) requirement; DPIAs partially address automated decision risks

   Note: DPIA requirement in Digital Code is a partial proxy for AIA; no standalone AIA requirement; scored 1 as nascent, legal foundation for impact assessment exists

   Sources dlapiperdataprotection.com (opens in a new tab)

2. E6.2

   Bias audit requirements

   Score 0 / 4

   No bias audit requirements for any sector; no regulatory guidance on AI bias issued by APDP or any other body

   Note: Critical gap; Digital Code does not address algorithmic bias; scored 0

3. E6.3

   Transparency obligations

   Score 1 / 4

   Digital Code 2023 includes data subject transparency rights covering automated processing and profiling; no broader standalone AI system transparency obligation beyond Digital Code provisions

   Note: Data law transparency provisions apply to automated processing; AI-specific transparency rules absent; scored 1 as nascent legal basis

   Sources dig.watch (opens in a new tab)

4. E6.4

   Citizen redress mechanism

   Score 2 / 4

   APDP established 2024 with formal complaint mechanism under Digital Code; data subjects can file complaints regarding automated decisions; no dedicated standalone AI complaint channel

   Note: DPA complaint route available and operational; AI-specific channel absent; scored 2 as DPA complaint mechanism operational

   Sources techhiveadvisory.africa (opens in a new tab)

5. E6.5

   Judicial AI remedy

   Score 1 / 4

   No AI-specific judicial precedent documented; general courts and APDP administrative review available; no established AI jurisdiction or specialist tribunal

   Note: Legal system exists but untested on AI-specific disputes; scored 1 as nascent, courts nominally available

6. E6.6

   AI advisory body diversity

   Score 1 / 4

   AI Academy announced but not yet formed; ECA National Data Governance Strategy consultation included diverse stakeholders; no formal standing AI advisory body with documented diversity criteria established

   Note: Advisory body proposed under AI Strategy; not yet established with documented diversity; scored 1 as nascent

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

7. E6.7

   Global AI governance participation

   Score 2 / 4

   DRC engaged with ECA, UNESCO, and World Bank on digital governance; PNN2 developed with international partners; AI Strategy registered internationally; ECA Data Governance Strategy validated November 2025; not a GPAI or OECD AI Policy Observer member

   Note: Active UN-system multilateral engagement documented; GPAI/OECD membership not confirmed; scored 2 as active participant in multilateral digital governance forums

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

8. E6.8

   Civil society AI engagement

   Score 2 / 4

   ECA validation workshop November 2025 included civil society representatives among 100+ stakeholders; AI Strategy consultation included multiple sectors; no permanent standing civil society AI governance mechanism established

   Note: Event-based formal consultation documented; permanent co-governance mechanism absent; scored 2 as formal consultation with institutional record

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

9. E6.9

   African ethical framework reference

   Score 1 / 4

   AI Strategy mentions 'inclusion' and 'sovereignty' as principles; PNN2 references African development priorities; no explicit Ubuntu or specific African ethical framework integrated into governance documents

   Note: Generic reference to sovereignty and inclusion; no substantive African philosophical framework integration; scored 1 as mentioned but not integrated

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

10. E6.10

    Youth participation

    Score 2 / 4

    250,000 youth targeted by Cisco/Cybastion training partnership (launched September 2025); 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' targets university and secondary students specifically; Airtel DRC free internet for trainees; no formal youth AI governance advisory mechanism

    Note: Youth targeted as primary beneficiaries of AI training; not in decision-making governance roles; scored 2 as formal programme specifically targeting youth

    Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 1.54 · all 54 states mean 1.55.

1. R7.1

   AU AI Strategy alignment

   Score 2 / 4

   PNN2 explicitly aligns with AU Agenda 2063 digital transformation targets; ECA National Data Governance Strategy (November 2025) references AU frameworks and was developed with AU alignment as an explicit goal; DRC is active in ECA processes

   Note: Formal AU alignment process documented through ECA partnership; AU AI Technical Committee engagement not confirmed; scored 2 as alignment process actively underway

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

2. R7.2

   Kigali Declaration endorsement

   Score 0 / 4

   No confirmed endorsement of the Kigali Declaration on AI Governance found for DRC

   Note: No public endorsement documentation found; scored 1 as likely under consideration following AI Strategy launch

   Scoring basis Official signatory list applied. Not on the official signatory list (52 states signed; absent: DR Congo, Tanzania, Sahrawi Republic).

   Sources c4ir.rw (opens in a new tab)

3. R7.3

   REC AI governance coordination

   Score 2 / 4

   ECCAS member; COMESA member; SADC observer/associate; Central African Backbone (CAB5) fibre project represents regional digital infrastructure cooperation; no confirmed AI-specific ECCAS governance coordination

   Note: Active multi-REC membership; regional digital infrastructure cooperation; AI-specific governance coordination not confirmed; scored 2 as active regional participant

   Sources dig.watch (opens in a new tab)

4. R7.4

   Cross-border AI agreements

   Score 1 / 4

   No bilateral or multilateral AI-specific governance cooperation agreements confirmed; CAB5 fibre is infrastructure cooperation not AI governance; ECA Data Governance Strategy provides a governance framework template

   Note: Regional instruments and ECA partnership provide framework; bilateral AI agreements absent; scored 1 as nascent

5. R7.5

   Election integrity AI provisions

   Score 0 / 4

   No specific legal or institutional provisions addressing AI in elections identified; CENI (Commission Electorale Nationale Independante) has no documented AI framework; 2023 elections conducted without AI governance provisions

   Note: 2023 elections held without AI governance provisions; no framework developed post-election; scored 0

6. R7.6

   Disinformation response framework

   Score 1 / 4

   No formal government framework for AI-generated disinformation; cybersecurity provisions in Digital Code 2023 address some digital offences; PNN2 cybersecurity pillar may eventually address disinformation; no dedicated AI disinformation framework

   Note: Digital Code cybersecurity provisions are partial proxy; no AI disinformation framework; scored 1 as nascent through Digital Code

7. R7.7

   AI election incidents documented

   Score 1 / 4

   No publicly documented AI-related election interference incidents in DRC; general social media manipulation and disinformation documented in 2023 elections but AI-specific attribution not confirmed in public sources

   Note: General information manipulation exists; AI-specific attribution not confirmed; scored 0

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 1 (rule band). Scored on documented institutional response, not incident count. Raw value read from the evidence: "No publicly documented AI-related election interference incidents in DRC" [incidents: 0; R7.6 Digital Code 2023 partial]. Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

8. R7.8

   Platform content moderation

   Score 1 / 4

   No formal government engagement with social media platforms on AI content moderation for DRC context; internet shutdowns documented during elections; no platform governance framework

   Note: Platform governance not yet formalised; internet shutdowns are the primary government response to content concerns; scored 1 as nascent dialogue

9. R7.9

   Geneva Dialogue participation

   Score 1 / 4

   No confirmed DRC delegation to UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance (July 2026); active ECA engagement suggests possible participation; capacity for multilateral AI engagement growing

   Note: Likely observer at best given nascent multilateral AI engagement; scored 1

10. R7.10

    G20/multilateral AI engagement

    Score 1 / 4

    Not a G20 or BRICS member; active ECA, World Bank, and UNESCO multilateral engagement on digital governance; AI Strategy internationally registered; not GPAI or OECD AI Policy Observer member

    Note: Observer-level multilateral AI engagement through UN system; no leadership role in major AI governance bodies; scored 1

    Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. East Africa mean 0.94 · all 54 states mean 0.78.

1. M8.1

   AI governance budget disbursed

   Score 2 / 4

   USD 150 million UIL data centre deal signed and disbursement confirmed October 2025; Cisco/Cybastion training partnership launched September 2025 with confirmed funding; General Technologies MoU signed February 2025; actual AI governance-specific budget disbursement not separately documented

   Note: Large-scale disbursements confirmed for digital infrastructure; AI governance-specific portion not disaggregated; scored 2 as significant disbursements documented

   Scoring basis Fellow score kept; no raw value for the threshold.

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

2. M8.2

   Health AI regulation

   Score 1 / 4

   No health AI regulation enacted; AI Strategy identifies healthcare as a priority sector; Digital Code 2023 provisions on health data processing apply; no health AI-specific guidelines or regulatory framework published

   Note: Under discussion at AI Strategy level; no health AI-specific instrument; scored 1 as nascent discussion in strategy

3. M8.3

   Health AI devices approved

   Score 0 / 4

   No AI health devices or tools formally approved; no regulatory approval mechanism for health AI exists; health sector relies on NGO and UN agency platforms without AI governance

   Note: Pre-regulatory stage for health AI; scored 0

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (authorised devices).

4. M8.4

   Government AI system registry

   Score 0 / 4

   No government registry of AI systems in use identified; government digital systems are catalogued within PNN2 but no AI-specific registry

   Note: Government digitalisation active through PNN2; AI registry not yet established; scored 0

5. M8.5

   AI governance M&E reports

   Score 0 / 4

   ECA National Data Governance Strategy (November 2025) constitutes a major governance assessment; PNN1 evaluation (approximately 60% complete) is a precedent for M&E; no published AI governance M&E report

   Note: ECA assessment as external M&E proxy; government AI M&E report not yet published; scored 1 as nascent

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (reports).

   Sources uneca.org (opens in a new tab)

6. M8.6

   Agriculture AI governance

   Score 1 / 4

   AI Strategy identifies agriculture as a priority sector; no formal AI governance provisions specific to agriculture published; PNN2 agritech pillar references AI for food security but no governance framework adopted

   Note: Agriculture identified as AI priority in strategy; no governance instrument adopted; scored 1 as nascent discussion

7. M8.7

   Financial services AI governance

   Score 1 / 4

   BCC (Banque Centrale du Congo) has no confirmed AI-specific guidance for financial services; mobile money is the dominant financial technology (Airtel Money, Orange Money, M-Pesa DRC); fintech sector growing rapidly without AI governance framework

   Note: Mobile money and fintech active without AI governance framework; scored 1 as nascent, BCC awareness of fintech AI risks implied

8. M8.8

   Education AI governance

   Score 2 / 4

   Cisco and Cybastion partnership for 250,000 youth training (launched September 2025) is a formal government-endorsed education programme at scale; 'Sphere of Artificial Intelligence' student programme active; no formal education AI policy document adopted

   Note: Active formal programme specifically targeting AI education at scale; policy framework not yet adopted; scored 2 as programme operational with government endorsement

   Sources techinafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

9. M8.9

   Measurable governance outcomes

   Score 1 / 4

   DRC Pass digital identity system (blockchain-based) in active development; online tax portal and customs single window operational from PNN1; e-government services being digitalised; no AI governance-specific measurable outcomes documented

   Note: Early e-government outcomes documented; AI governance specific outcomes not yet measured; scored 1 as anecdotal digital governance outcomes

   Sources govinsider.asia (opens in a new tab)

10. M8.10

    WHO AI health guidance adoption

    Score 0 / 4

    No formal adoption of WHO Ethics and Governance of AI for Health guidance; WHO operates health programmes in DRC but no AI health governance alignment confirmed; health system capacity focused on disease burden

    Note: WHO active in DRC on health emergencies; AI health governance alignment not on current agenda; scored 0