Country Profile on AI Governance: Ethiopia

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 4 / 4

   Yes, Ethiopia has a national AI policy,approved by the Council of Ministers in 2024. REGULATION NO. 510/2022.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

2. S1.2

   Strategy adoption date

   Score 3 / 4

   2024-06-01

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Adopted 2024-06: 24 months before 2026-06-30.

3. S1.3

   Political commitment signals

   Score 4 / 4

   The policy document specifically states that the National AI Policy was developed under the leadership of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and mentions that the policy will take effect following approval by the Council of Ministers in accordance with Regulation No. 510/2022. This demonstrates the involvement and backing of the highest executive authority in Ethiopia..

4. S1.4

   Dedicated AI budget allocation

   Score 4 / 4

   Data obtained from internet sources indicate that Ethiopia’s latest federal budget allocates 1.13 billion Birr to the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, a 42% increase from the last fiscal year, signaling increased focus for the technology.

   Sources shega.co (opens in a new tab)

5. S1.5

   AU Continental AI Strategy alignment

   Score 4 / 4

   Regarding the degree of alignment with the AU Continental AI Strategy Phase I targets, the AI policy document emphasizes Ethiopia's vision to become a center of AI development in Africa by 2035, which aligns with the AU strategy's emphasis on advancing AI to promote continental development. Specifically, in section 3.2.1. VISION, Ethiopia's goal "to see Ethiopia become the centre of AI development excellence in Africa by 2035" directly reflects alignment with AU goals of fostering AI leadership and cooperation on the continent.

6. S1.6

   Multi-stakeholder consultation

   Score 3 / 4

   Research findings show that governance and policy-making remain dominated by state institutions, with limited civil society involvement. Moreover, there is no explicit mention or detailed description in the policy document indicating whether civil society, academia, and the private sector were directly consulted in the development of the AI strategy and policy. The document emphasizes the roles of government agencies, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, and collaborations with various ministries and institutions.

   Sources google.com (opens in a new tab)

7. S1.7

   Sector prioritisation

   Score 4 / 4

   Yes, the strategy identifies priority sectors for AI application. Evidence of this can be found in section 8.1 of the policy document, titled "PRODUCTION SECTORS AND INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES," which mentions sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, transportation, water, electricity, health, education, and cultural development as key areas where AI technology can play a significant role in enhancing productivity and development.

8. S1.8

   Implementation roadmap

   Score 3 / 4

   Yes, the strategy includes a phased implementation plan with milestones. Evidence for this can be found in section 7.4, titled "SYSTEM OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY." However, it does not explicitly define a detailed phased implementation plan with specific milestones.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

9. S1.9

   Monitoring and evaluation framework

   Score 4 / 4

   Yes, according to the document, there is a systematic monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework (Section 7.4) established for the implementation of the AI strategy. This framework involves the development of a robust system to assess whether the policy’s directives and key sectoral objectives are being effectively achieved.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

10. S1.10

    Strategy review mechanism

    Score 4 / 4

    Yes, there is a built-in mechanism to review and update the strategy. This is evidenced in section 7.4, which states, “The outcome of the policy shall be evaluated every three years, and the information obtained from such evaluation shall be used as an input to improve the next tasks. Additionally, the policy mentions that when it is found necessary, the policy shall be amended."

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

1. G2.1

   AI-specific legislation

   Score 3 / 4

   The Ethiopian national AI Policy was approved by the federal executive on 27 June 2024, providing a national framework for responsible AI development.

   Note: Soft law/draft stage. The policy is endorsed at the federal level, but legally binding legislation has not yet been enacted.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

2. G2.2

   Data protection law status

   Score 3 / 4

   The Personal Data Protection Proclamation No.1321/2024 was promulgated on 24 July 2024. The Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) is designated as the supervisory authority.

   Note: Enacted but awaiting full enforcement. The law is on the books and regulators have powers, but enforcement mechanisms (directives, registrations) are not yet operational.

3. G2.3

   DPA AI mandate

   Score 1 / 4

   The Ethiopian data protection authority does not have a standalone, explicitly named "AI oversight" mandate, but it holds functional authority over AI through the enforcement of the Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024. This law covers automated processing, profiling, and requires Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) for high-risk AI, placing AI compliance under its general regulatory umbrella.

   Note: DPA exists, no formal AI mandate. The ECA regulates data processing that may involve AI systems, but has no explicit statutory AI oversight mandate.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

4. G2.4

   DPA staffing and budget

   Score 0 / 4

   There is no specific available data regarding the exact number of full-time staff or the precise annual budget for Ethiopia's dedicated Data Protection Authority (DPA) following the adoption of the Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1324/2024

   Note: There is no any staffing numbers or budget figures for the ECA's data protection functions.

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

5. G2.5

   AI regulatory body existence

   Score 3 / 4

   Yes, Ethiopia has a dedicated, autonomous federal body focused on AI development and governance called the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) established by Regulation No. 510/2022 and used as a national research and capacity-building institution. The government has established institutional coordination mechanisms under the AI Policy

   Note: Established but limited enforcement. The AI Institute focuses on research and development rather than regulatory enforcement.

   Sources aii.et (opens in a new tab)

6. G2.6

   Institutional design model

   Score 4 / 4

   The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) is the central entity, established in 2020 and strengthened by Regulation No. 510/2022. It is accountable to the Prime Minister's office. It serves as a new, dedicated body for AI governance, distinct from the DPA.

   Note: New AI body model. Ethiopia has created a dedicated AI Institute rather than relying solely on sectoral regulators or the DPA

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

7. G2.7

   Malabo Convention ratification

   Score 0 / 4

   There is no evedence indicating that Ethiopia has signed or ratified the AU Malabo Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data.

   Note: Ethiopia has not acceded to the Malabo Convention.

8. G2.8

   Enforcement actions taken

   Score 0 / 4

   Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) is actively deploying artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor for hate speech and fake news, particularly with the aim of controlling online content before the general elections scheduled for June 2026

   Note: No enforcement actions yet. The regulatory framework is still nascent; enforcement remains largely absent.

   Sources web.facebook.com (opens in a new tab)

9. G2.9

   Extraterritorial provisions

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopia addresses foreign AI systems through a hybrid, evolving framework rather than a single, specific AI law. The primary legal pillars are the Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024 and the National AI Policy, which mandate that foreign AI systems operating within Ethiopia must comply with data sovereignty, transparency, and ethical oversight, particularly for high-risk application. The PDPP includes cross-border data transfer rules (adequacy determinations, safeguards), but does not explicitly address foreign AI systems operating within Ethiopian borders. The AI Policy is silent on extraterritorial scope.

   Note: Under consideration / Partial coverage. Only data protection rules touch on cross-border aspects; no comprehensive extraterritorial AI provisions exist.

   Sources dataguidance.com (opens in a new tab)

10. G2.10

    IP framework for AI

    Score 2 / 4

    Ethiopia has not formally amended its intellectual property laws to specifically address AI-generated content, though discussions and policy initiatives are underway. The current copyright framework (Proclamation No. 410/2004) generally requires human authorship, leaving a legal vacuum for AI-created works, according to Scribd and The Reporter Ethiopia.The National AI Policy (2024) is silent on copyright issues related to AI-generated works. However, legal scholars and policymakers are actively debating reforms, and proposals for a "four-part test" (originality, fixation, creative human intervention, intentionality) have been advanced.

    Note: Review initiated. No amendments drafted or enacted yet. The Copyright Proclamation No. 410/2004 assumes human authorship, and no revisions have been made for AI-generated content.

    Sources diplomacy.edu (opens in a new tab)

Mean of the 8 scored indicators; 2 carry no score. East Africa mean 1.54 · all 54 states mean 1.51.

No score: 1 not applicable, 1 context only.

1. I3.1

   Data center count

   Score 2 / 4

   Emerging ~2–4 domestic facilities (Ethio Telecom, Wingu, National AI institute)

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

   Sources datacenterdynamics.com (opens in a new tab)

2. I3.2

   Data center capacity (MW)

   Score 4 / 4

   Emerging domestic facilities (Ethio Telecom, Wingu, National AI institute) are expected to have improved contribution to the nation.

   Note: No hyperscale sized capacity

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

3. I3.3

   Submarine cable landing points

   ○N/A: Does not apply to this country

   Connectivity via Djibouti terrestrial links

   Note: Ethiopia is landlocked; relies on Djibouti landing

   Scoring basis Not applicable; excluded from the pillar mean. Landlocked: excluded from P3 (geography is not governance).

   Sources ethiotelecom.et (opens in a new tab)

4. I3.4

   International bandwidth (Gbps)

   Score 3 / 4

   The International Internet Gateway capacity was increased by 500 Gbps through caching during the half-year, bringing total capacity to 3 Tbps

   Note: The same as the above

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. 3000 Gbps ÷ 132.06m = 22.72 Gbps per million.

   Sources ethiotelecom.et (opens in a new tab)

5. I3.5

   Hyperscaler presence

   Score 1 / 4

   Not available. But there is general knoweldge

6. I3.6

   GPU/HPC access

   Score 1 / 4

   Limited academic GPU access from ministry of education. National AI institute staffs have limited access to GPU they built.

   Note: Restricted to research/academic users

   Sources aii.et (opens in a new tab)

7. I3.7

   Data localisation provisions

   Score 3 / 4

   Sector-specific rules (telecom/finance)

   Note: No full national data localization law

8. I3.8

   Cross-border data flow framework

   Score 2 / 4

   PDPP 2024 permits cross-border transfers if receiving jurisdiction has adequate protection or explicit consent obtained.

   Note: No published cross-border data framework

9. I3.9

   Foreign AI surveillance spending

   ○Context only: Context flag outside the score

   China invested $3.1B in Ethiopia's digital infrastructure; Huawei Safe City in Addis Ababa includes 1,000+ AI-enabled CCTV cameras.

   Scoring basis Context flag; outside the score.

10. I3.10

    Sovereign cloud initiatives

    Score 3 / 4

    Cloud via Ethio Telecom/Digital Ethiopia strategy. National Cloud project announced by PM Abiy Ahmed (Aug 2025); to be completed in 18-24 months; part of "Digital 2030" strategy.

    Sources dfp.gov.et (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

   Ethiopia has approximately 312 researchers per 10 million (approx. 31 per million) according to 2025 data . While the National AI Policy aims to build capacity, the current ratio remains low compared to global leaders.

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

2. H4.2

   DPA staff with AI competency

   Score 0 / 4

   The Personal Data Protection Proclamation (PDPP) was enacted in July 2024, but the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) is still building its technical capacity. There are no public reports of dedicated DPA staff with formal AI technical skills as of 2026

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

3. H4.3

   University AI programs

   Score 1 / 4

   1. Addis Ababa University (MSc in AI & ML) . 2. The new Artificial Intelligence University, announced in May 2026, is dedicated exclusively to AI and is set to open within six months . Note: Several other universities offer CS with AI tracks, but formal named programs are limited.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 1 (universities).

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

4. H4.4

   African-authored AI publications

   Score 2 / 4

   Output is growing but remains modest. Local institutions like AAU and the Ethiopian AI Institute (EAII) are active. A 2024 paper on "Social justice considerations in developing and deploying AI in Africa" featured Ethiopian authors . Annual output is estimated in the low tens (10-30) rather than hundreds.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. 490.7 papers/yr ÷ 132.06m people = 3.72 per million (floors applied).

5. H4.5

   AI patents filed

   Score 2 / 4

   In July 2024, the Ethiopian AI Institute received patent rights for four specific AI tools (diabetes, breast cancer, skin diseases, coffee disease) . Domestic filing activity is nascent but present.

   Note: Very low AI patenting activity

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 4 (AI patent applications/year).

   Sources aii.et (opens in a new tab)

6. H4.6

   K-12 CS education

   Score 2 / 4

   Programs like AddisCoder (2025 cohort of 121 HS students) are active, and the Ministry of Education supports STEM initiatives, but CS is not yet mandatory nationwide. The 2025 AddisCoder program was a collaboration with the Ministry of Education, indicating pilot/elective status

7. H4.7

   AI workforce training programs

   Score 2 / 4

   The Federal Technical and Vocational Training Institute (FTVTI) launched specialized AI and Cybersecurity training programs aligned with the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy . The Ethiopian AI Institute (EAII) also runs specific capacity-building initiatives

   Note: Early-stage training programs

   Sources dfp.gov.et (opens in a new tab)

8. H4.8

   Labour transition policy

   Score 2 / 4

   While the National AI Policy (2024) acknowledges the need for "lifelong learning," there is no specific adopted framework for labor market transition regarding AI. High-level discussions are ongoing, focusing on the fact that 70%+ of jobs are informal and connectivity is low (20%)

9. H4.9

   Informal economy AI assessment

   Score 1 / 4

   The National AI Policy aims for "inclusive development," but there is no evidence of a formal assessment of AI's impact on the informal economy (Iqub, MSMEs) yet. However, financial inclusion targets (70%) suggest this is a planned priority

10. H4.10

    African language NLP coverage

    Score 3 / 4

    Amharic, Oromo, and Tigrinya have meaningful NLP support. Models like AfriqueLlama-8B specifically support these three Ethiopian languages (Amharic, Oromo, Tigrinya) alongside other African languages . The EAII is also funding local NLP models

    Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 3 of 5 (languages supported / major languages), normalised 60. 60% of major domestic languages.

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

   TechBehemoths lists 15 companies in Ethiopia that provide artificial intelligence services, showing a small but clearly existing AI business ecosystem rather than complete absence. This is not an official registry, but it is a verifiable directory indicating multiple operational AI-service firms.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 15 (companies).

   Sources techbehemoths.com (opens in a new tab)

2. N5.2

   Private AI investment (USD)

   Score 1 / 4

   Publicly available sources on Ethiopia’s AI landscape describe promising AI use cases and early-stage startup activity, but they do not report a consolidated national figure for annual private AI investment in USD. The GSMA “AI in Ethiopia: Promising use cases for development” report and coverage about it emphasize early adoption, regulatory and infrastructure gaps, and a small but emerging startup scene.

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

   Sources shega.co (opens in a new tab)

3. N5.3

   AI incubators/accelerators

   Score 0 / 4

   Articles on Ethiopia’s AI ecosystem describe AI startups operating within broader tech hubs and digital innovation spaces, not within clearly branded AI-only accelerators or incubators. The “Rise of Ethiopian AI Startups” piece and coverage of the GSMA report both point to early-stage ecosystem support but do not identify fully fledged AI-specialized incubators.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (incubators/accelerators). Raw value read from the evidence: "do not identify fully fledged AI-specialized incubators". Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

   Sources lolinemag.com (opens in a new tab)

4. N5.4

   Regulatory sandbox (AI)

   Score 0 / 4

   Available ecosystem and policy sources for Ethiopia discuss AI use cases, digital transformation, and regulatory gaps, but do not mention any AI-specific regulatory sandbox being planned or operated by regulators. The GSMA report summary explicitly highlights regulatory gaps and the early stage of AI governance in Ethiopia.

   Sources shega.co (opens in a new tab)

5. N5.5

   Government AI procurement

   Score 1 / 4

   Ethiopia has created the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) as a state-funded body developing AI solutions for public priorities (e.g., language models, agriculture tools), and reports emphasize its collaboration with the private sector and role in government services. A GSMA-highlighted summary indicates EAII develops solutions for sectors such as agriculture and government services, while government-aligned press articles describe partnerships with the private sector for AI-ready infrastructure. This indicates at least ad hoc engagement and collaboration around AI solutions, but there is no evidence of a formal AI procurement framework or explicit domestic preference policy, fitting Ad hoc.

   Sources gsma.com (opens in a new tab)

6. N5.6

   AI safety evaluation capacity

   Score 1 / 4

   The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and universities are reported to conduct applied AI R&D and development of models (e.g., sectoral applications and language technologies) and to collaborate with partners on AI-based solutions, as highlighted in the GSMA-related summaries and EAII communications. However, there is no public evidence of dedicated AI safety testing facilities, accredited AI safety labs, or formal national AI evaluation centers.

   Sources linkedin.com (opens in a new tab)

7. N5.7

   ISO/IEC 42001 adoption

   Score 0 / 4

   ISO/IEC 42001 is a very recent AI management system standard, and global AI monitoring sources (such as the Stanford AI Index and international AI governance mappings) do not list any Ethiopian organizations as adopters or pilots of this standard. No public announcements, certification records, or policy documents from Ethiopia were found that reference ISO/IEC 42001.

   Sources hai.stanford.edu (opens in a new tab)

8. N5.8

   Standards body AI competency

   Score 1 / 4

   Ethiopia has a national standards body, but international AI governance and standards reviews do not identify any AI-specific technical committee or formal AI standards working group within it. Global summaries tend to list Ethiopia among countries where AI policy is emerging but standards activity remains general ICT-focused

   Sources hai.stanford.edu (opens in a new tab)

9. N5.9

   AI risk assessment frameworks

   Score 1 / 4

   Coverage of the GSMA report on AI in Ethiopia stresses regulatory gaps, data and infrastructure constraints, and the early nature of AI adoption, but does not identify any sector-specific or cross-sector mandatory AI risk assessment frameworks. Risk appears to be managed under general ICT, data, and sector policies rather than AI-tailored frameworks.

   Sources hai.stanford.edu (opens in a new tab)

10. N5.10

    University-industry AI partnerships

    Score 3 / 4

    There is documented evidence of formal AI partnerships and MoUs linking public research bodies and other institutions. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) commits to joint research, infrastructure development, and AI-based health solutions. Another is the inauguration of the Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod).

    Sources ephi.gov.et (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 2 / 4

   National AI Policy recommends assessment of risks and impacts of AI systems, but no binding legal requirement exists.

   Note: Developing: policy direction exists, enforcement absent.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

2. E6.2

   Bias audit requirements

   Score 1 / 4

   Policy acknowledges risks of bias and discrimination and encourages trustworthy AI practices, but no mandatory audits.

   Note: Nascent.

   Sources researchgate.net (opens in a new tab)

3. E6.3

   Transparency obligations

   Score 2 / 4

   National AI Policy promotes transparency, accountability, and ethical AI deployment.

   Note: Developing; policy-level requirement only.

   Sources oecd.ai (opens in a new tab)

4. E6.4

   Citizen redress mechanism

   Score 2 / 4

   Citizens may pursue complaints through existing administrative and data protection mechanisms, but no AI-specific channel exists

   Note: DPA/general complaint mechanism.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

5. E6.5

   Judicial AI remedy

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopian courts have jurisdiction over disputes involving automated decisions, but AI-specific case law remains limited.

   Note: Emerging jurisdiction.

   Sources regulations.ai (opens in a new tab)

6. E6.6

   AI advisory body diversity

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopian AI Institute coordinates policy development with universities, government agencies, and stakeholders. Diversity exists but representation is not formally mandated.

   Note: Some diversity.

   Sources ena.et (opens in a new tab)

7. E6.7

   Global AI governance participation

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopia participates in AU and UN AI discussions and hosts AI governance events, but is not a leading global AI governance member.

   Note: Active Memeber

   Sources wtlgovernance.com (opens in a new tab)

8. E6.8

   Civil society AI engagement

   Score 2 / 4

   Stakeholder consultations included academia, private sector, and other actors during policy development.

   Note: Formal consultation process but not permanent advisory role.

   Sources ena.et (opens in a new tab)

9. E6.9

   African ethical framework reference

   Score 1 / 4

   AI policy emphasizes national values and inclusive development but does not explicitly embed Ubuntu or African ethical frameworks.

   Note: Mentioned indirectly.

10. E6.10

    Youth participation

    Score 2 / 4

    Youth-focused AI capacity-building initiatives and innovation programs exist, including AI UniPod and education initiatives, but no formal governance role.

    Note: Advisory/engagement level participation.

    Sources undp.org (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 3 / 4

   Ethiopia's National AI Policy (2024) aligns closely with the pillars of the AU Continental AI Strategy, including infrastructure, governance, skills, innovation, and ethical AI.

   Note: Alignment process evident, though no formal government alignment roadmap identified

   Sources au.int (opens in a new tab)

2. R7.2

   Kigali Declaration endorsement

   Score 3 / 4

   Ethiopia has participated in continental digital transformation and AI governance discussions associated with the Kigali process. Evidence of endorsement exists through AU participation, but implementation measures remain limited.

   Note: Endorsed

   Scoring basis Official signatory list applied. Signatory of the Africa Declaration on AI (Kigali, 4 April 2025), C4IR list: "Endorsed" = 3.

   Sources c4ir.rw (opens in a new tab) · smartafrica.org (opens in a new tab)

3. R7.3

   REC AI governance coordination

   Score 3 / 4

   Ethiopia actively participates in regional digital governance initiatives through Intergovernmental Authority on Development and broader African Union mechanisms addressing AI, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and data governance.

   Note: Active participant

   Sources igad.int (opens in a new tab)

4. R7.4

   Cross-border AI agreements

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopia participates in regional digital cooperation agreements and research partnerships involving AI, data governance, and digital infrastructure, though few AI-specific agreements have become operational.

   Note: Signed/cooperative arrangements exist

   Sources igad.int (opens in a new tab)

5. R7.5

   Election integrity AI provisions

   Score 1 / 4

   Growing discussion around digital misinformation and AI-related electoral risks exists, but no dedicated legal provisions addressing AI in elections have been enacted.

   Note: Under discussion

   Sources nebe.org.et (opens in a new tab)

6. R7.6

   Disinformation response framework

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopia has institutional mechanisms addressing online misinformation and harmful digital content through cybersecurity, communications, and media regulation frameworks, though not specifically focused on generative AI.

   Note: Institutional framework exists

   Sources eca.et (opens in a new tab)

7. R7.7

   AI election incidents documented

   Score 1 / 4

   No major publicly documented AI-generated election interference incidents have been formally reported in Ethiopia as of June 2026.

   Note: N/A

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 1 (rule band). Scored on documented institutional response, not incident count.

8. R7.8

   Platform content moderation

   Score 2 / 4

   Government agencies have engaged with major digital platforms regarding harmful content, misinformation, and local-language moderation challenges.

   Note: Formal dialogue exists

   Sources cfr.org (opens in a new tab)

9. R7.9

   Geneva Dialogue participation

   Score 2 / 4

   Ethiopia is expected to participate in UN and international AI governance dialogues through government and diplomatic representation, although leadership roles have not been publicly announced.

   Note: Delegation planned/observer level

   Sources unesco.org (opens in a new tab)

10. R7.10

    G20/multilateral AI engagement

    Score 2 / 4

    Ethiopia participates in AU, UN, UNESCO, BRICS-related discussions (through partner engagements), and other multilateral digital governance initiatives but is not yet an agenda-setting actor in global AI governance.

    Note: Active participant at observer level.

    Sources unesco.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

   Federal budget allocates 1.13 billion Birr (~USD 9M) to EAII for FY 2025, a 42% increase from 795 million Birr. This is committed/allocated budget, not verified disbursed actual spending. No official treasury report or audit confirms actual disbursement

   Note: The Institute is operational and presents regular performance reports to Parliament

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

   Sources linkedin.com (opens in a new tab)

2. M8.2

   Health AI regulation

   Score 2 / 4

   The Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) issued dedicated guidelines in 2022 for Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) and AI-based Medical Devices (AI-MD)

   Sources haymanotbelay.com (opens in a new tab)

3. M8.3

   Health AI devices approved

   Score 3 / 4

   Ethiopia launched 225 AI-powered digital X-ray machines nationwide for TB screening on September 18, 2025, distributed across all regions. These are formally procured, approved, and operational at national scale.

   Note: there are AI Health Technologies Currently in Use in Ethiopia nationally procured/implemented or patented but may not yet have formal EFDA marketing authorization

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

   Sources ebc.et (opens in a new tab)

4. M8.4

   Government AI system registry

   Score 1 / 4

   No evidence of any maintained government registry of AI systems in use. Ethiopia has no comprehensive AI Act requiring a registry. EAII evaluates/certifies imported AI technologies for domestic use, but this is not a public registry of AI systems in government use. Initial discussions, informal activity, or early-stage drafting only, no registry exists.

   Sources licentium.io (opens in a new tab)

5. M8.5

   AI governance M&E reports

   Score 1 / 4

   The EAII presented a formal nine-month performance report to the House of Peoples' Representatives Standing Committee on Law and Justice Affairs; 2024–2025 Parallel Audit on AI: This international comparative analysis evaluates Ethiopia’s decentralized budgeting model and oversight vulnerabilities, providing a formal audit of AI spending and strategic alignment

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 1 (reports). Raw value read from the evidence: "The EAII presented a formal nine-month performance report to the House of Peoples' Representatives" [institute performance report; "2024–2025 Parallel Audit on. Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

   Sources bridge-et.org (opens in a new tab)

6. M8.6

   Agriculture AI governance

   Score 2 / 4

   The Ministry of Agriculture launched a Digital Agriculture Roadmap and integrates AI through initiatives like the Farmer.Chat ecosystem

   Sources pmo.gov.et (opens in a new tab)

7. M8.7

   Financial services AI governance

   Score 2 / 4

   The National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE) is integrating AI into its regulatory framework to tackle fraud and enhance financial security

   Sources iafrica.com (opens in a new tab)

8. M8.8

   Education AI governance

   Score 2 / 4

   National AI Policy emphasizes "Human Capital" , building domestic expertise through education and training. Policy focuses on "developing skilled and competitive human resource to promote problem-solving research and development". There are plans underway to establish a dedicated Artificial Intelligence University and integrate AI-powered adaptive learning into the curriculum

   Sources linkedin.com (opens in a new tab)

9. M8.9

   Measurable governance outcomes

   Score 3 / 4

   Governance efforts have supported the digitization of over 900 public services, Right to challenge AI-only decisions, ECA sanctions for data protection violations, EAII "evaluates/certifies imported AI technologies for domestic use"

   Sources cipesa.org (opens in a new tab)

10. M8.10

    WHO AI health guidance adoption

    Score 3 / 4

    Under a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the EAII and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) have adopted the ethical frameworks established in the WHO’s 2021 and 2025 guidelines

    Sources ifa.gov.et (opens in a new tab)