Country Profile on AI Governance: Guinea-Bissau

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.70 · all 54 states mean 1.76.

1. S1.1

   National AI strategy existence

   Score 0 / 4

   None.The project objective is to create a comprehensive, effective strategy and roadmap, promoting public sector digitisation, improving citizen service delivery, and enhancing digital governance. The strategy will assess the current situation, outline the government's vision and objectives for digital transformation, set concrete yearly targets with responsible institutions, and include a budget for implementation. The accompanying Roadmap will detail actions, deadlines, and resources needed up to 2030, and will be publicly presented through a workshop. The work will be conducted locally to ensure a deep understanding of the context and effective collaboration with local stakeholders

   Sources unu.edu (opens in a new tab)

2. S1.2

   Strategy adoption date

   Score 0 / 4

   Year and month the national AI strategy was formally adopted: N/A. Guinea-Bissau has not formally adopted a standalone AI strategy.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: none (adoption date). No formally adopted national AI strategy.

   Sources thenationonlineng.net (opens in a new tab)

3. S1.3

   Political commitment signals

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau lacks a ring-fenced budget for AI, an official National AI Strategy, and formal evidence of senior ministerial or presidential directives specifically committing to the African Union Continental AI Strategy Phase I targets. The country’s technology policy currently focuses on basic digital transformation rather than dedicated AI governance.

   Sources africanaigovernanceindex.com (opens in a new tab)

4. S1.4

   Dedicated AI budget allocation

   Score 0 / 4

   There are no dedicated state funds allocated exclusively for AI development. Technology initiatives depend on grants and partnerships, such as those coordinated by the UN University Operating Unit on Policy-Driven Electronic Governance and the UNDP in Guinea-Bissau.

   Sources undp.org (opens in a new tab)

5. S1.5

   AU Continental AI Strategy alignment

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently demonstrates low, foundational alignment with the AU Continental AI Strategy Phase I targets (2025–2026). While lacking a dedicated national AI strategy or comprehensive AI legislation, the country’s alignment relies on broader digital transformation goals, leaving major gaps in localized AI governance and resource mobilization

   Sources unu.edu (opens in a new tab)

6. S1.6

   Multi-stakeholder consultation

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently does not have a standalone, officially published National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. Instead, the country's AI governance and development is primarily being approached under the broader umbrella of a National Strategy for Digital Transformation, which was officially launched by the government in partnership with the UNDP.

   Sources unu.edu (opens in a new tab)

7. S1.7

   Sector prioritisation

   Score 0 / 4

   Overview. Little is known about the specific AI ecosystem in Guinea-Bissau. While the country may be working on digital development, concrete information about AI initiatives is scarce. AI hubs. The capital, Bissau, may be a center for technological development, but information about AI-specific activities is not readily available. Key players. While there may be efforts to develop the technology sector, specific information about AI-focused initiatives or companies is not widely documented. AI sectors. The country may be exploring technological solutions in various areas, but concrete information about AI applications is not readily available. AI stars. While there may be individuals working in technology and digital development, specific information about AI experts or leaders is not widely documented. AI policy. The country may have digital development strategies, but information about AI-focused policies or frameworks is not readily available.

   Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

8. S1.8

   Implementation roadmap

   Score 0 / 4

   No, it does not. Phased implementation plans with milestones are part of the broader African Union Continental AI Strategy and other regional initiatives, rather than a standalone feature unique to Guinea Bissau

   Sources au.int (opens in a new tab)

9. S1.9

   Monitoring and evaluation framework

   Score 0 / 4

   No, there is currently no purely domestic, standalone systematic Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework utilized exclusively by the Guinea-Bissau government for all national strategy implementation. Because of historical political fragility and limited administrative capacity, the government's M&E infrastructure is highly fragmented. Systematic strategy implementation and tracking are predominantly driven by international development partners and integrated into multinational frameworks

   Sources ewsdata.rightsindevelopment.org (opens in a new tab)

10. S1.10

    Strategy review mechanism

    Score 1 / 4

    There is currently no built-in mechanism to review or update a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy in Guinea-Bissau because the country has not yet established a standalone National AI Strategy. While Guinea-Bissau has partnered with the United Nations University (UNU-EGOV) and the World Bank to lay the groundwork for a broader Integrated Citizen-Centred Digital Transformation Strategy, the country remains in the preliminary phases of AI governance. When established, these national digital frameworks typically rely on ad-hoc legislative updates rather than embedded, automated review triggers

    Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.18 · all 54 states mean 1.32.

1. G2.1

   AI-specific legislation

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently has no AI-specific legislation or comprehensive national data protection laws. The regulatory framework for the information society is primarily anchored in the older Law No. 5/2010. However, AI governance and digital policies are evolving, guided by the National Strategy for Digital Transformation (ENTD.GW), which was formally launched to modernize data management and public services

   Sources coe.int (opens in a new tab)

2. G2.2

   Data protection law status

   Score 1 / 4

   The country has been drafting data protection and access-to-information legislation to align with international and regional standards, with technical assistance from organizations like UNESCO, but these bills have not yet been fully enacted

   Sources unesco.org (opens in a new tab)

3. G2.3

   DPA AI mandate

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau does not have a data protection authority (DPA) or formal data protection legislation, meaning there is no DPA with an explicit AI oversight mandate in the country

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

4. G2.4

   DPA staffing and budget

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has no data protection law and no data protection authority, so no staffing or budget exists to report (dataprotection.africa, page modified March 2025).

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

   Editor's note, 7 October 2026: The profile text described a United Nations Peace and Development Adviser and is removed. The score of 0 is consistent with the corrected evidence.

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

5. G2.5

   AI regulatory body existence

   Score 0 / 4

   No, there is currently no dedicated, standalone AI governance body or council solely for Guinea-Bissau. Like many countries in the region, Guinea-Bissau approaches AI governance through broader national digital transformation strategies and participates in international collaborative efforts. Guinea-Bissau relies on regional organizations and continental frameworks, such as the Africa AI Council and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), to provide a shared regulatory baseline and ethical AI guidelines

   Sources unu.edu (opens in a new tab)

6. G2.6

   Institutional design model

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau governs AI primarily through general digital policy frameworks rather than dedicated legislation. Policy coordination operates through the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Guinea-Bissau has not enacted dedicated AI legislation

   Sources wtlgovernance.com (opens in a new tab)

7. G2.7

   Malabo Convention ratification

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has signed the AU Malabo Convention but has not yet officially ratified it.

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

8. G2.8

   Enforcement actions taken

   Score 0 / 4

   No AI-related enforcement actions have been conducted exclusively in Guinea-Bissau. The country does not have an established domestic legal framework targeting artificial intelligence, nor has it recorded any specific regulatory crackdowns or enforcement penalties regarding AI systems within its borders

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

9. G2.9

   Extraterritorial provisions

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has no specific domestic laws regulating AI systems, whether foreign or domestic. Because the country does not currently have data protection, cybercrime, or electronic transaction legislation, there are no established frameworks to restrict, monitor, or mandate compliance for foreign artificial intelligence operating within its borders

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

10. G2.10

    IP framework for AI

    Score 0 / 4

    No, intellectual property (IP) legislation has not been reviewed specifically for AI-generated content in Guinea Bissau.As a member of the African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI), Guinea-Bissau relies on a unified regional IP framework rather than isolated national laws. IP laws across OAPI states are governed by the Bangui Agreement, which does not currently contain specific provisions regulating AI-generated works or machine inventorship

    Sources intellectual-property-helpdesk.ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

Mean of the 9 scored indicators; 1 carries no score. West Africa mean 1.40 · all 54 states mean 1.51.

No score: 1 context only.

1. I3.1

   Data center count

   Score 0 / 4

   include a government data center (the country does not currently have one), a network operation center, and a security operation center

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

   Sources thedocs.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

2. I3.2

   Data center capacity (MW)

   Score 3 / 4

   Data for power plants in Guinea Bisau with total installed generating capacity 10 mw from the Platts World Electric Power Plants Database (WEPP 2006).

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

   Sources energydata.info (opens in a new tab)

3. I3.3

   Submarine cable landing points

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has only one submarine landing station that has been operational since 2022, according to a World Bank Report

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. 1 cable systems (TeleGeography, accessed 2026-10-06).

   Sources thedocs.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

4. I3.4

   International bandwidth (Gbps)

   Score 2 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau’s international internet bandwidth remains relatively constrained, with total national capacity estimated to be in the low gigabit range.. t

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

   Sources documents1.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

5. I3.5

   Hyperscaler presence

   Score 0 / 4

   There are no global cloud hyperscalers (such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Oracle, or Alibaba) with physical data centers or local cloud infrastructure located exclusively in Guinea-Bissau.

   Sources info.consoleconnect.com (opens in a new tab)

6. I3.6

   GPU/HPC access

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently lacks large-scale, on-premises supercomputers or major data centers dedicated to AI research. AI researchers and practitioners in the country primarily rely on international remote cloud infrastructure and regional networks to access the required GPUs and high-performance computing (HPC) resources

   Sources dcdeployed.com (opens in a new tab)

7. I3.7

   Data localisation provisions

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently has no explicit, legally binding data localisation requirements. Because the country lacks enacted data protection legislation or an active Data Protection Authority (DPA), there are no formal statutes mandating that personal or corporate data must be stored or processed within its physical borders.

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

8. I3.8

   Cross-border data flow framework

   Score 3 / 4

   There is no comprehensive national legal framework for cross-border data transfers in Guinea-Bissau. The country relies primarily on regional directives and constitutional privacy principles, as it has not yet enacted specific, localized domestic legislation exclusively governing data protection or transborder data flows.

   Sources lawgratis.com (opens in a new tab)

9. I3.9

   Foreign AI surveillance spending

   ○Context only: Context flag outside the score

   There are no public, documented records or verified reports of Guinea-Bissau purchasing or spending on foreign AI surveillance systems (USD). While extensive literature covers the deployment and funding of AI surveillance systems in several African nations, Guinea-Bissau has not been documented as a participant in these high-tech mass surveillance rollouts

   Scoring basis Context flag; outside the score. Raw value read from the evidence: "There are no public, documented records or verified reports of Guinea-Bissau purchasing or spending on foreign AI surveillance systems".

   Sources theafricareport.com (opens in a new tab)

10. I3.10

    Sovereign cloud initiatives

    Score 0 / 4

    Guinea-Bissau is in the early stages of establishing digital infrastructure and sovereign cloud capabilities. The country relies primarily on regional pan-African sovereign cloud and data center networks. There are currently no standalone national sovereign cloud platforms exclusively native to Guinea-Bissau

    Sources dcdeployed.com (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.14 · all 54 states mean 1.20.

1. H4.1

   AI researchers per million

   Score 1 / 4

   Regional Disparities: The continent contributes only about 3% of global AI talent, with brain drain and lack of computational resources further concentrating the existing AI research talent in larger regional hubs.Emerging Initiatives: Organizations such as the UNESCO Artificial Intelligence Needs Assessment Survey in Africa, point to broad pan-African initiatives to increase AI education opportunities. However, targeted AI research within Guinea-Bissau's universities and scientific institutions is still in its nascent stages.

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

   Sources uis.unesco.org (opens in a new tab)

2. H4.2

   DPA staff with AI competency

   Score 0 / 4

   There is currently no exact or publicly documented data detailing the number of staff members with demonstrable AI technical skills specifically within Guinea Bissau's data protection body.

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

   Sources oecd.org (opens in a new tab)

3. H4.3

   University AI programs

   Score 0 / 4

   Zero (0) universities in Guinea-Bissau offer dedicated degree programs in Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML). While basic Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and general Computer Science programs exist in the country (such as at the Universidade Amílcar Cabral and Jean Piaget University of Guinea-Bissau), specialized AI/ML degree concentrations are not currently available locally.Because local higher education lacks these specialized programs, students in Guinea-Bissau typically pursue AI/ML education through online international degrees, vocational boot camps, or regional university exchanges.Would you like to explore:Online AI/ML degree programs and certifications available for students in Guinea-Bissau?Universities in neighboring West African countries or Europe offering specialized AI/ML engineering degrees?2 sitesUniversities in Bissau - UniPageJean Piaget University of Guinea-Bissau – UniPiaget Guinea-Bissau · Guinea-Bissau, Bissau · Lusophone University of Guinea – Amilc...UniPageUniversidade Amílcar Cabral - WikipediaThe Universidade Amílcar Cabral (UAC; in english: Amílcar Cabral University) is a public higher education institution in Guinea-Bi...Wikipedia28 Artificial Intelligence programs - China Admissions* Bachelor's in Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence. University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) Bachelor's in Computer...China Admissions

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

   Sources unipage.net (opens in a new tab)

4. H4.4

   African-authored AI publications

   Score 1 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, the annual volume of African-authored AI publications with domestic institutional affiliation is extremely low. On average, there is less than 1 to 3 publications per year due to a developing domestic research infrastructure, with recent literature specifically addressing local constraints like ethical AI governance.The domestic research footprint in Artificial Intelligence is minimal, and most AI-focused publications originating from or focusing on Guinea-Bissau are collaborative. Here are the key points regarding the local research output: Institutional Authorship: Research involving AI topics and local affiliations primarily stems from institutions like Lusíada University of Guinea-Bissau. Publication Volume: The annual output is near zero to single-digits. For instance, specific studies looking into ethical AI governance frameworks in the country usually yield just 1 publication annually in major indices In 2022, Guinea-Bissau published 1 AI research papers, making up 0.9% of its total scientific output and contributing 0.0% to global AI research

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. 1 ÷ 2.20m = 0.45 per million.

   Sources zenodo.org (opens in a new tab)

5. H4.5

   AI patents filed

   Score 0 / 4

   The lack of domestic patent activity is common across several developing nations. Countries like Guinea-Bissau primarily interact with the intellectual property system through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and rely on foreign-filed patents extending into the region rather than originating local innovations

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

   Sources wipo.int (opens in a new tab)

6. H4.6

   K-12 CS education

   Score 0 / 4

   K-12 computer science (CS) education in Guinea-Bissau is virtually non-existent as a formal, integrated subject. The national curriculum lacks a standardized CS or coding program. Educational frameworks prioritize basic literacy and numeracy, leaving digital skills severely underdeveloped

   Sources scholaro.com (opens in a new tab)

7. H4.7

   AI workforce training programs

   Score 3 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, government-supported AI and digital reskilling programs are currently in early, pilot stages, primarily driven by international partnerships. Initiatives focus on building foundational digital skills, integrating AI into educational frameworks, and modernizing civil administration.

   Sources worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

8. H4.8

   Labour transition policy

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently has no specific government framework or dedicated policy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and labour market transition. The country operates under the National Strategy for Digital Transformation 2025-2030 (ENTD.GW), which focuses on foundational digital governance, public sector digitization, and basic infrastructure rather than AI-specific workforce reallocation

   Sources aipolicyportal.org (opens in a new tab)

9. H4.9

   Informal economy AI assessment

   Score 0 / 4

   The government of Guinea-Bissau has not yet formally assessed the impact of Artificial Intelligence on its informal economy. With over 90% of the active population engaged in informal labor, the country’s digital sector remains embryonic, and current government efforts focus on building foundational digital infrastructure rather than specialized AI assessments.

   Sources documents1.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

10. H4.10

    African language NLP coverage

    Score 0 / 4

    In Guinea-Bissau, there are 0 domestic indigenous languages with meaningful standalone Natural Language Processing (NLP) or Large Language Model (LLM) support.The AI landscape for indigenous languages in the country reflects the continent's broader challenges. Out of over 2,000 languages in Africa, fewer than 50 have robust representation in current AI systems. In Guinea-Bissau, the technological picture is shaped by the following:

    Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 of 4 (languages supported / major languages), normalised 0. 0% of major domestic languages.

    Sources adwumatech.ai (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.04 · all 54 states mean 1.05.

1. N5.1

   AI companies count

   Score 0 / 4

   There is no official count or registered base of dedicated AI companies operating exclusively in Guinea-Bissau. The country's tech startup ecosystem is nascent, with overall tracked digital startups numbering less than a handful. AI activity is largely limited to individual academic research and the use of global generative AI tools.

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

   Sources dealroom.co (opens in a new tab)

2. N5.2

   Private AI investment (USD)

   Score 0 / 4

   There is currently no publicly recorded annual private AI investment or measurable venture capital funding in Guinea-Bissau. The country's total foreign direct investment is only about $26.65 million, and its nascent tech sector does not currently feature tracked private equity or venture capital specifically allocated to artificial intelligence

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (USD/year). Raw value read from the evidence: "There is currently no publicly recorded annual private AI investment". Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

   Sources dealroom.co (opens in a new tab)

3. N5.3

   AI incubators/accelerators

   Score 0 / 4

   There are 0 dedicated, standalone AI-focused incubators or accelerators operating exclusively within Guinea-Bissau. The country's technology and startup ecosystem is still in its early stages of development, and local support organizations are geared toward general digital entrepreneurship rather than specialized artificial intelligence.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (incubators/accelerators).

   Sources africatechschools.com (opens in a new tab)

4. N5.4

   Regulatory sandbox (AI)

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently has no operational or officially announced AI-specific regulatory sandbox. The country is in the early stages of establishing its foundational digital infrastructure and legal frameworks, and focuses primarily on broad data governance policies through regional cooperation rather than advanced AI test environments.

   Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

5. N5.5

   Government AI procurement

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau’s government does not currently procure AI solutions from domestic developers. The country's technology and startup ecosystem is still in its early developmental stages, lacking the necessary domestic capacity to build and supply native AI capabilities to public sector agencies.Because the domestic AI sector is virtually non-existent, public sector technology procurement relies almost entirely on other channels:International Vendors & Developers: When AI or advanced digital solutions are implemented, they are sourced from foreign tech companies and international software developers.Development Partners & Aid: Most major public-sector digital and data initiatives are financed and executed by multilateral institutions and UN agencies, such as the UNDP, which recently partnered to launch the country's National Strategy for Digital Transformation.Emerging Data Initiatives: Instead of full AI, current digital governance efforts focus on foundational data infrastructure. For instance, the government has adopted blockchain technology to secure fiscal data, which lays the groundwork for training future predictive models.Procurement Platforms: Public procurement contracts, when offered, are published through the country's central purchasing authority, UNAOGP, often aggregated on international platforms like Sell to State.

   Sources wearetech.africa (opens in a new tab)

6. N5.6

   AI safety evaluation capacity

   Score 2 / 4

   There are no dedicated AI safety testing or evaluation facilities operating in Guinea-Bissau. The country lacks the sovereign technical infrastructure, high-performance compute, and specialized regulatory agencies required to independently test and evaluate frontier AI models.Current AI Reality in Guinea-BissauInfrastructure Deficit: Chronic political instability and extremely limited digital connectivity create significant data scarcity and technology disparities across the country.Policy Gap: Guinea-Bissau operates largely under OHADA regional commercial laws. There are no localized, specialized legislative frameworks governing AI development or algorithmic safety.Emerging Applications: The limited AI utilization is primarily localized to public health (e.g., WHO-backed medicine tracking and drug surveillance) rather than model-level capability or safety evaluation.Continental Focus: AI risk assessment and safety testing in the region remain in the early planning stages. Organizations like the UNU-EGOV focus broadly on basic digital transformation, and experts argue for Pan-African collaboratives rather than isolated, nation-specific evaluation facilities.

   Sources unu.edu (opens in a new tab)

7. N5.7

   ISO/IEC 42001 adoption

   Score 0 / 4

   There is currently zero formal adoption or certified implementation of the ISO/IEC 42001 (Artificial Intelligence Management System) standard in Guinea-Bissau. The local technological, regulatory, and corporate ecosystems have not yet registered any official ISO 42001 certifications.Regional Context & Global AdoptionLocal Market Maturity: Guinea-Bissau lacks the localized AI infrastructure, domestic tech enterprise hubs, and specialized conformity assessment bodies required to implement or audit an AI management system (AIMS).National Standards Body: The Instituto Guineense de Normalização e Qualidade (IGNQ) is the official ISO member body for Guinea-Bissau. However, its primary focus remains on foundational quality management (ISO 9001) and food safety rather than specialized IT or AI governance.

   Sources iso.org (opens in a new tab)

8. N5.8

   Standards body AI competency

   Score 1 / 4

   No, Guinea-Bissau's national standards body does not currently have AI-specific technical committees.The national standards body, Instituto Nacional de Normalização e Qualidade (INNOQ-GB), operates with a primary focus on harmonizing fundamental local standards with regional and international systems rather than overseeing advanced, domain-specific technological development committees like AI.Currently, Guinea-Bissau lacks the specialized technical infrastructure and legislative frameworks for artificial intelligence governance. Consequently, AI standards adoption and technical evaluations rely entirely on adopting international directives (such as ISO/IEC) rather than locally generated AI technical frameworks

   Sources gmalabs.com (opens in a new tab)

9. N5.9

   AI risk assessment frameworks

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau does not have dedicated AI legislation or official sector-specific AI risk assessment frameworks in use. AI governance operates primarily through baseline digital and data privacy regulations, with organizations relying on international, adaptable frameworks, such as the NIST AI Risk Management Framework or ISO 42001, for voluntary compliance and risk evaluation.Current Regulatory & Risk LandscapePrimary Legislation: AI deployment is governed under baseline legislation like the Lei n° 9/2013 sobre proteção de dados pessoais (Personal Data Protection Law).Regulatory Body: Oversight is provided by the Comissão Nacional de Proteção de Dados (CNPD), focusing heavily on privacy, data sovereignty, and human rights impacts rather than algorithmic hazard profiling.International Frameworks: In the absence of localized frameworks, early adopters and enterprises in the region align their assessments with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible AI or general regional guidelines proposed by the African Union.

   Sources nist.gov (opens in a new tab)

10. N5.10

    University-industry AI partnerships

    Score 1 / 4

    There are currently no formal, documented AI research partnerships between universities and industry located solely within Guinea-Bissau. The higher education and research sectors in the country are severely limited in technology capacity, meaning applied AI initiatives are largely absent at the local institutional level.However, Guinea-Bissau is occasionally tied into broader, continent-wide initiatives focused on Africa. Instead of localized industry partnerships, higher education actors such as the Universidade Amílcar Cabral and the Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisa (INEP) generally participate in:International Research Consortiums: Collaborating with foreign academic institutions (e.g., the University of Lisbon in Portugal) on environmental, forestry, and agricultural data modeling rather than direct AI-industry enterprise projects.Pan-African EdTech Networks: Engaging with foreign EdTech firms and non-profit funds (such as the UNDP's Africa Compute Fund initiatives) that provide off-the-shelf AI tools to bridge gaps in regional and offline educational capacities

    Sources academicjobs.com (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.21 · all 54 states mean 1.26.

1. E6.1

   Algorithmic impact assessment

   Score 0 / 4

   Algorithmic impact assessments (AIAs) are currently None in Guinea-Bissau. The country has not enacted dedicated AI legislation or cross-sector laws mandating AIAs.

   Sources wtlgovernance.com (opens in a new tab)

2. E6.2

   Bias audit requirements

   Score 0 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, AI bias audits for high-risk systems are currently Voluntary. The country relies primarily on overarching data policies rather than strict, legally enforced algorithmic bias mandates.A more detailed breakdown of the regulatory landscape:Guinea-Bissau: The government approaches AI governance through foundational frameworks and executive dialogue rather than sweeping statutory laws requiring mandatory bias audits. There are currently no explicit nationwide statutes like those found in the EU or select US states.ECOWAS (Regional Context): Guinea-Bissau is a member of ECOWAS. The regional bloc is currently in the process of formulating an overarching AI governance framework to establish uniform ethical guidelines, data sovereignty, and algorithmic accountability.

   Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

3. E6.3

   Transparency obligations

   Score 0 / 4

   Regarding artificial intelligence transparency, there are currently None or only voluntary guidelines in Guinea-Bissau. The country does not have dedicated or comprehensive AI regulations, as technological policies are limited by wider legal frameworks.Here is how the landscape breaks down for transparency obligations:Guinea-Bissau: None. There are no national or sector-specific transparency requirements legally mandated for AI systems in Guinea-Bissau.Global/Regional Context: While the European Union enforces the EU AI Act, which requires transparency for high-risk and limited-risk systems (e.g., Article 50 disclosure rules), these do not apply locally in Guinea-Bissau.Exceptions: If any international entity operates within Guinea-Bissau utilizing specific AI products, they might voluntarily align with international AI risk management frameworks (such as the OECD AI Principles), but this is not nationally enforced

   Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

4. E6.4

   Citizen redress mechanism

   Score 1 / 4

   Citizens cannot formally challenge AI-driven decisions through a single dedicated AI complaint channel in Guinea Bissau or most of Africa. Instead, the primary recourse relies on lodging Data Protection Authority (DPA) complaints or using informal mechanisms, though comprehensive rights for automated decisions remain largely unlegislated.

   Sources dataprotection.africa (opens in a new tab)

5. E6.5

   Judicial AI remedy

   Score 0 / 4

   Courts worldwide are actively adapting their established jurisdictions to handle emerging AI disputes. There is no specialist AI tribunal in Guinea-Bissau. Instead, disputes rely on general civil courts, evolving common law precedent, and broader international frameworks like the EU AI Act.

   Sources researchgate.net (opens in a new tab)

6. E6.6

   AI advisory body diversity

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau: Falls into the "No advisory body" category. Like many developing nations, it has not yet established a formal national AI advisory council

   Sources aiforgood.itu.int (opens in a new tab)

7. E6.7

   Global AI governance participation

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea Bissau does not hold a leadership role or active, standalone membership in organizations like GPAI, the OECD AI frameworks, or specific UN AI regulatory panels. Its involvement is indirect, relying primarily on regional and continental frameworks rather than direct participation in global governance

   Sources one.oecd.org (opens in a new tab)

8. E6.8

   Civil society AI engagement

   Score 1 / 4

   Civil society engagement in AI governance in Guinea-Bissau currently operates at the level of None / Ad hoc consultation. Formal mechanisms like co-governance or dedicated advisory roles do not exist. Civic tech is generally absent, and public digital dialogue is limited to early-stage, intermittent discussions regarding foundational data practices and regional collaborations.

   Sources documents1.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

9. E6.9

   African ethical framework reference

   Score 1 / 4

   While indigenous African ethical principles (such as Ubuntu) are not enforced as foundational in Guinea-Bissau only, they are explicitly mentioned and referenced in broader regional governance frameworks.The philosophical framework of Ubuntu ("I am because we are") serves as a critical cultural lens in African AI ethics scholarship. Its principles are actively being woven into policy to ensure technologies serve collective well-being rather than hyper-individualism.How these principles appear in governance:African Union (AU) Strategy: The AU's Continental AI Strategy emphasizes human rights, dignity, and collective prosperity. It explicitly calls on member states to adopt ethical AI principles that respect African cultures and histories.UNESCO Framework: The UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence forms the baseline for many African national frameworks, promoting fairness, inclusivity, and interconnectedness.Regional AI Initiatives: Sub-regional discussions, such as those promoted by the Smart Africa Secretariat, factor in the importance of adapting global AI policy to align with African philosophical traditions and community empowerment.

   Sources facebook.com (opens in a new tab)

10. E6.10

    Youth participation

    Score 1 / 4

    Youth participation in AI governance across Guinea-Bissau and broadly within the West African region currently operates at an advisory or informal/ad hoc capacity. There are no formal, legally binding decision-making roles for youth in national AI policy frameworks yet.

    Sources zenodo.org (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 1.66 · all 54 states mean 1.55.

1. R7.1

   AU AI Strategy alignment

   Score 4 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau does not have a formal, publicly announced standalone National Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategy. Instead, the country's AI policy and alignment process are driven collectively through regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) initiatives and the broader, landmark African Union Continental AI Strategy.

   Sources au.int (opens in a new tab)

2. R7.2

   Kigali Declaration endorsement

   Score 3 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has Endorsed the Kigali Declaration on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).The country formally joined as a signatory following the initial 2022 launch, as part of a growing movement of endemic nations taking national ownership in the fight to control and eradicate NTDs

   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) · unitingntds.cdn.ngo (opens in a new tab)

3. R7.3

   REC AI governance coordination

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea Bissau operates as an Observer in REC-level AI governance coordination. The country lacks a dedicated national AI strategy or legislative framework, instead relying on baseline data protection laws. Regional AI governance is guided by ECOWAS frameworks, which act as shared standards rather than unified national laws

   Sources aipolicyportal.org (opens in a new tab)

4. R7.4

   Cross-border AI agreements

   Score 1 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, bilateral or multilateral cross-border AI governance agreements are currently None at the standalone national level, with regional and continental frameworks primarily Under negotiation. The country's approach is tied to broader regional and continental integration efforts.The overview of the current status regarding Guinea-Bissau's AI governance and cooperation is outlined below:1. Continental and Regional FrameworksAfrican Union (AU) Alignment: Guinea-Bissau participates in the AU's continental digital transformation initiatives. The AU has advanced a Continental AI Strategy, which Guinea-Bissau is expected to adopt for its framework to ensure cross-border interoperability, although the localized legal framework is still developing.ECOWAS Integration: As a member of the Economic Community of West African States, Guinea-Bissau falls under the scope of regional digital policies. Specific cross-border AI and data flow treaties are currently Under negotiation as ECOWAS aims to harmonize digital trade and AI governance across member states.2. International and Bilateral CooperationData Protection & Cybersecurity: Cross-border AI governance heavily relies on data privacy frameworks. Guinea-Bissau has signed the African Union's Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection, which acts as a fundamental benchmark for trans-border data governance, though ratification and full implementation remain in progress.No Direct Bilateral AI Agreements: Guinea-Bissau has not signed any standalone, binding bilateral AI or cross-border data governance treaties with foreign nations or tech blocs

   Sources linkedin.com (opens in a new tab)

5. R7.5

   Election integrity AI provisions

   Score 0 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, the status of legal or institutional provisions addressing AI in elections is None. There are no specific legislative frameworks, binding guidelines, or official institutional policies that regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence, deepfakes, or synthetic media in political campaigns or electoral administration.

   Sources cddwestafrica.org (opens in a new tab)

6. R7.6

   Disinformation response framework

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau employs an ad hoc approach to managing AI-generated disinformation, primarily relying on recently enacted cybercrime and misinformation laws and digital literacy programs rather than a centralized, formal governmental framework.The national government's current stance and response methods include:Legislative Frameworks: Guinea-Bissau does not have a dedicated AI-specific disinformation agency. Instead, the government relies on the Penal Code, Press Law, and newly expanded misinformation/cybercrime legislation adopted by the National Transitional Council to curb the spread of fabricated online content.Civil Society Collaboration: Because local digital content moderation is severely lacking in languages like Crioulo, the government relies on externally backed civil society programs. Initiatives led by the Media Foundation for West Africa partner with local authorities to train young people, content creators, and journalists in media literacy and disinformation countermeasures.Fact-Checking Initiatives: Independent fact-checking networks and trained journalists operate as the primary bulwark against deepfakes and manipulated political narratives, in partnership with international bodies like UNESCO.

   Sources mfwa.org (opens in a new tab)

7. R7.7

   AI election incidents documented

   Score 1 / 4

   Currently, there are zero documented or formally verified incidents of artificial intelligence-related election interference in Guinea-Bissau.While AI-driven disinformation and deepfakes have impacted democratic processes in other parts of the continent, such as Nigeria and South Africa, political interference and electoral disruptions in Guinea-Bissau have historically relied on physical military interventions, internet blackouts, and the forceful seizure of physical ballots rather than AI technology.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 1 (rule band). Scored on documented institutional response, not incident count. Raw value read from the evidence: "there are zero documented or formally verified incidents" [incidents: 0; R7.6 cybercrime/misinformation laws, fact-checkers vs deepfakes (not tied to electoral. Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

   Sources journals.co.za (opens in a new tab)

8. R7.8

   Platform content moderation

   Score 1 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, the government and media bodies rely on informal dialogue rather than formal statutory requirements or enforcement actions to engage tech platforms on AI content moderation. Regional organizations like the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) host forums with state actors and platforms to advocate for better AI safety.Because Guinea-Bissau does not have dedicated local digital laws for AI platforms, regulatory oversight primarily falls under the mandate of the Conselho Nacional de Comunicação Social (CNCS) (National Council for Social Communication), which monitors general media conduct during elections. Regional advocacy groups have also urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to ensure that content moderation does not infringe on digital rights.

   Sources mfwa.org (opens in a new tab)

9. R7.9

   Geneva Dialogue participation

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau is participating as an active member state in regional African Union (AU) AI discussions and consultations, but they have not officially announced an independent delegation or plan to independently host a side event at the July 2026 UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva

   Sources un.org (opens in a new tab)

10. R7.10

    G20/multilateral AI engagement

    Score 0 / 4

    Guinea-Bissau falls under the None category regarding active engagement in G20, BRICS, or other multilateral AI initiatives. While the country is part of regional efforts like the African Union Continental AI Strategy and is pursuing basic national digital strategies National Strategy for Digital Transformation in Guinea Bissau, it currently lacks established, direct participation or agenda-setting power in major international AI forums like the G20 or BRICS

    Sources au.int (opens in a new tab)

Mean of all 10 indicator scores. West Africa mean 0.63 · all 54 states mean 0.78.

1. M8.1

   AI governance budget disbursed

   Score 0 / 4

   There is N/A (Not Available) for a dedicated standalone AI governance budget in Guinea-Bissau. The country has not yet established a centralized National AI Strategy or dedicated public funding for AI oversight.

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

   Sources oecd.org (opens in a new tab)

2. M8.2

   Health AI regulation

   Score 1 / 4

   The status of AI regulation in healthcare in Guinea-Bissau is Under discussion / Developing. There is no standalone (sui generis) AI or medical AI legislation specific to Guinea-Bissau. However, the country is actively laying the groundwork through broader digital health policies and data exchange frameworks.The Regulatory LandscapeLike many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Guinea-Bissau relies on a fragmented but evolving legal framework for e-health governance. In the absence of specific AI laws, regulatory oversight is driven by ancillary digital policies:National Digital Health Strategy: The government has prioritized public sector digitization and data management under its National Digital Health Strategy to modernize health data.

   Sources aiworld.eu (opens in a new tab)

3. M8.3

   Health AI devices approved

   Score 0 / 4

   There is no official numerical data indicating that any specific AI-powered health devices have been formally approved, registered, or deployed for clinical use exclusively in Guinea-Bissau.Instead, Guinea-Bissau's current AI-related health focus is on phaceutical traceability and digital infrastructure. The Ministry of Public Health enforces a national Track & Trace mandate for medicines, in partnership with Italy’s Antares Vision Group, using AI and serialization to combat counterfeit drugs and secure supply chains.

   Scoring basis Threshold applied. Raw value: 0 (authorised devices). Raw value read from the evidence: "There is no official numerical data indicating that any specific AI-powered health devices have been formally approved". Checked against the evidence on 7 October 2026: confirmed.

   Sources arazygroup.com (opens in a new tab)

4. M8.4

   Government AI system registry

   Score 0 / 4

   The correct status for Guinea-Bissau is None. Guinea-Bissau does not currently maintain an operational public registry for AI systems in use by the government.The country's approach to digital technology is still in foundational stages, focusing primarily on digitizing civil registries and identity cards through systems like SIREC rather than deploying or cataloging government AI systems. While Guinea-Bissau is an ECOWAS member, which requires alignment with general data protection principles, it has not enacted formal AI laws or established algorithmic transparency requirements

   Sources aipg.institute (opens in a new tab)

5. M8.5

   AI governance M&E reports

   Score 0 / 4

   There are 0 officially published governmental M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) reports on AI governance implementation specific to Guinea-Bissau. The country is in the early stages of digital transformation, with no formal national AI strategy or dedicated governmental AI governance frameworks in place.Current LandscapeResearch & Analysis: While formal government implementation reports do not exist, independent academic assessments (such as the Zenodo Ethical AI Governance in Guinea-Bissau study) highlight major capacity gaps and the need for culturally adaptive AI policy.

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

   Sources documents1.worldbank.org (opens in a new tab)

6. M8.6

   Agriculture AI governance

   Score 0 / 4

   In Guinea-Bissau, agricultural AI governance is currently None. The country relies on general digital policies rather than dedicated AI laws or sector-specific agricultural AI frameworks, and there is no officially disbursed AI governance budget. AI Governance in Guinea-Bissau Sector-Specific Provisions (Agriculture): None. AI usage is in developmental phases; frameworks focus on foundational tech rather than sector-specific legislation. General Governance Status: The regulatory environment is largely under discussion. Baseline oversight relies on general data protection laws like Lei n° 9/2013 sobre proteção de dados pessoais and the national communications ministry.AI Governance Budget Disbursed: N/A. There is no official, specific budgetary allocation or disbursement for AI governance at the state level

   Sources wtlgovernance.com (opens in a new tab)

7. M8.7

   Financial services AI governance

   Score 1 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau has no standalone national AI governance provisions for financial services. Instead, the country operates under regional regulations governed by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO).Financial AI governance across WAEMU (West African Economic and Monetary Union) member states, including Guinea-Bissau, is shaped by the following:Central Bank Guidance: The BCEAO has not yet established formal, binding AI regulations specific to the financial sector. However, the central bank treats AI adoption under broader supervisory frameworks targeting operational risk, cybersecurity, and data protection.Regional Directives: The BCEAO recently updated operational governance, eKYC, and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) standards across its network of electronic money and payment service providers (e.g., Instruction 001-01-2024). Financial institutions use AI for these tasks, which fall directly under these governance and auditing parameters.Regulatory Approach: The central bank enforces compliance through BCEAO regional mandates rather than localized national legislation in Guinea-Bissau. It actively hosts regional dialogues, such as the COFEB-HEC Paris masterclasses and Financial Stability Board meetings hosted by the BCEAO, to shape future risk management frameworks

   Sources thefintechtimes.com (opens in a new tab)

8. M8.8

   Education AI governance

   Score 0 / 4

   Guinea-Bissau currently falls under the None / Under discussion category regarding education-specific AI governance. The country does not have an officially adopted national policy or comprehensive legislation specific to AI in education, though policymakers are actively exploring the integration of AI competencies alongside other Lusophone nations.

   Sources zenodo.org (opens in a new tab)

9. M8.9

   Measurable governance outcomes

   Score 0 / 4

   Evidence of AI governance producing measurable protective outcomes in Africa is generally at the anecdotal or documented case stage rather than being systematic. In Guinea-Bissau specifically, existing evidence is essentially non-existent/anecdotal, as the country's AI and data policy journey is in its infancy.A breakdown of the state of AI governance evidence in Guinea-Bissau and the broader African context:Guinea-Bissau Profile (No Evidence / Anecdotal): Guinea-Bissau lacks a foundational digital identity system, integrated government data centers, and comprehensive data-sharing policies. While academic and policy evaluations point to the need for community-centric AI education to bridge the urban-rural divide, there is no documented or systematic evidence of AI governance producing measurable outcomes in the country to date.

   Sources brookings.edu (opens in a new tab)

10. M8.10

    WHO AI health guidance adoption

    Score 1 / 4

    In Guinea-Bissau, the WHO Guidance on Ethics and Governance of AI for Health is currently in the Aware and Alignment process phase. The Ministry of Public Health utilizes global WHO frameworks as a foundational reference to deploy eHealth and drug-tracking solutions, but it has not yet formally adopted or enacted a localized, legally binding AI policy

    Sources coingeek.com (opens in a new tab)