Ethiopia — AI Regulations

09 JAN 2026 · Other

China and Ethiopia pledge closer cooperation in areas from infrastructure to AI

On January 8, 2026 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos in Addis Ababa.

✓ ✓ OfficialGenerative AIfmprc.gov.cn ↗

21 NOV 2025 · Other

Ethiopian AI Institute becoming Africa’s most visible, influential Institute, says Prime Minister

Addis Ababa, November 17, 2025 (ENA) -- Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AII) has positioned itself as one of Africa’s most visible and influential AI institutions. Speaking at a ceremony marking the Institute’s move to the former Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation building, PM Abiy highlighted the AII’s “remarkable” progress over the past five years. According to the prime minister, key achievements include the development of an internationally patented breast cancer detection technology and a patented system for identifying diseases in

Health & Life Sciencesena.et ↗

29 APR 2025 · International Agreement

BRICS+ sign declaration on AI governance

Declaração da Presidência da Reunião de Ministros das Relações Exteriores/Relações Internacionais dos Países Membros do BRICS [*]

✓ ✓ OfficialData Privacy & Protection ·Generative AI ·Cybersecuritygov.br ↗

04 FEB 2025 · Executive Order

Cybersecurity regulation in NBE Requirements for Information Technology Management of Microfinance Institution (Directive No. MFI/33/2022)

On 2 April 2025, the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE)'s Requirements for Information Technology (IT) Management of Microfinance Institution Directive No. MFI/33/2022 enter into force. Microfinance institutions were required to implement the requirements for automation of core business processes (Article 5) and set up a disaster recovery site with adequate detachment from the main IT site (Article 6.7). The directive mandates that institutions must develop IT risk management programmes, includi...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategynbe.gov.et ↗

10 NOV 2024 · Other

Information Network Security Administration investigation into data breaches

On 11 October 2024, the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) issued a report outlining approximately 8,854 cyber-attack attempts prevented during the 2023/24 fiscal year. INSA also launched the fifth National Cyber Security Month, focusing on "Critical Infrastructure Security for Digital Sovereignty," to raise awareness about the increasing global cyber threats affecting Ethiopia. INSA Director General Tigist Hamid emphasised the need to protect critical sectors, such as hospita...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategypress.et ↗

24 JUL 2024 · Law / Act

Age verification requirement in Personal Data Protection Proclamation (Proclamation No. 1321/2024)

On 24 July 2024, the Personal Data Protection Proclamation enters into force. The proclamation defines a minor as a data subject under 16 years old. It mandates that processing a minor’s personal data must prioritise their rights and best interests, with the data controller responsible for proving compliance. The processing of minors' data is lawful only with consent from a parent, guardian, or tutor or when necessary for the minor’s vital interests. The data controller must verify the minor’...

✓ ✓ OfficialConsumer Protectioneca.et ↗

27 JUN 2024 · Executive Order

National AI Policy

On 27 June 2024, Ethiopia's Council of Ministers approved the country's first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy during its 37th regular meeting. The policy follows a three-year consultative process involving various stakeholders and aims to support social and economic development while strengthening the domestic AI industry. The policy outlines the government's objectives for the AI sector and provides a framework for its integration across different areas. It highlights the need f...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategyaii.et ↗

27 JUN 2024 · Policy / Guidance

National Artificial Intelligence Policy implemented

Primary source (aii.et): Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute.

Data Privacy & Protectionaii.et ↗

28 OCT 2023 · Other

Network Security Administration investigation into infrastructure providers

On 28 October 2023, the Information Network Security Administration (INSA) issued rulings in the investigation into cybersecurity vulnerabilities affecting infrastructure providers operating in the domains of cloud computing, storage and databases, and internet and telecom services. The investigation identified 657 risk-level gaps across 123 institutions. Of these gaps, 187 were classified as high risk, 273 as medium, and 192 as low risk. The investigation attributed these vulnerabilities to ...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategypress.et ↗

18 APR 2023 · Law / Act

Digital Identification Proclamation (No. 1284/2023)

On 18 April 2023, the Digital Identification Proclamation (No. 1284/2023) entered into force. The law mandates that relying parties seeking to make digital identification a requirement for service provision must obtain regulatory approval and ensure that personal data retention periods are specified by a directive from the Digital Identification Institution. The law aims to enhance authentication services' security by limiting personal data disclosure to the minimum necessary and emphasising ...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategylawethiopia.com ↗

23 APR 2022 · Executive Order

Establishment of Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute under Council of Ministers Regulation No. 510/2022

On 23 April 2022, the Council of Ministers Regulation No. 510/2022 establishing the Artificial Intelligence Institute entered into force. The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute is established as an autonomous federal government entity answerable to the Prime Minister. This regulation outlines the institute's role as a hub for AI research and development with the power to design AI research plans, formulate national AI policies, and support public-private AI collaboration. It also set...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategymojcdn.com ↗

26 AUG 2021 · Executive Order

Data localisation requirement in ECA Telecommunications Consumer Rights and Protection (Directive No. 832/2021)

On 26 August 2021, the Ethiopian Communications Authority (ECA) issued the Telecommunications Consumer Rights and Protection Directive No. 832/2021. The directive entered into force on the date of its publication. The directive mandates that consumer data must be processed exclusively within servers or data centres located in Ethiopia, and any transfer of data requires either a court order or explicit consumer consent.

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategyeca.et ↗

25 FEB 2021 · Executive Order

Security obligations in NBE Financial Consumer Protection (Directive No. FCP/01/2020)

On 25 February 2021, the Financial Consumer Protection Directive No. FCP/01/2020 entered into force. The directive mandates that Financial Services Providers implement policies to ensure data confidentiality and security, inform consumers about these policies and data practices, and make them accessible. Providers must protect data through organisational, physical, and technical measures, collect data lawfully for legitimate purposes, and use it consistently with the original collection purpo...

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategynbe.gov.et ↗

30 JUN 2020 · Law / Act

Cybersecurity regulation in Electronic Transactions Proclamation (No. 1205/2020)

On 30 June 2020, the Electronic Transactions Proclamation No. 1205/2020 which includes provisions on data protection within e-commerce platforms entered into force. The legislation sets guidelines for handling personal information, requiring platforms to ensure secure data transmission and storage. It establishes the responsibilities of e-commerce intermediaries in preserving user privacy and outlines mechanisms for securing consumer data through recognised security standards.

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategyecc.gov.et ↗

23 MAR 2020 · Law / Act

Content moderation regulation in Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation No.1185 /2020

On 23 March 2020, the Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation (No. 1185/2020) entered into force. The law prohibits hate speech, defined as communication that deliberately promotes hatred, discrimination, or attacks against individuals or groups based on protected characteristics such as ethnicity, religion, race, gender, or disability. It also prohibits disinformation, characterised as false information shared by someone who knew or should have known it was fal...

✓ ✓ OfficialContent Moderationema.gov.et ↗

National Strategy

National Artificial Intelligence Policy

AI law in Ethiopia: Ethiopia’s National Artificial Intelligence Policy sets a national, cross-sectoral framework to guide AI development, deployment and oversight. Adopted by the federal executive in 2024, the policy prioritizes data governance, capacity building, ethical and accountable AI, sectoral integration (health, finance, agriculture, security), and institutional arrangements led by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute and sector regulators....

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategygcs.gov.et ↗

National Strategy

Artificial Intelligence Institute Establishment Council of Ministers Regulation No. 510/2022

AI law in Ethiopia: This regulation establishes the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) as an autonomous federal body to guide AI development and implementation in Ethiopia....

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategyjustice.gov.et ↗

Executive Order

Personal Data Protection Proclamation No. 1321/2024

AI law in Ethiopia: Ethiopia's comprehensive data protection law establishing a legal framework for personal data processing, granting data subjects rights to access, rectify, erase, and restrict processing of their data. The Proclamation designates the Ethiopian Communications Authority as the supervisory authority and requires data breach notification within 72 hours....

✓ ✓ OfficialNational Strategyjustice.gov.et ↗