24 JUL 2025 · Law / Act

Data protection regulation in Law no. 25-11 on data protection

On 24 July 2025, Law no. 25-11 amending Data Protection Law no. 18-07, including data protection regulation entered into force. The Law establishes a framework for the processing of personal data belonging to natural persons. It defines personal data as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, including biometric data and physical, physiological, or behavioural characteristics that permit unique identification of that person. The Law prohibits unlawful process...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

24 JUL 2025 · Law / Act

Cross-border data transfer regulation in Law no. 25-11 on data protection

On 24 July 2025, Law no. 25-11 on data protection, including cross-border data transfer regulation entered into force. The Law establishes conditions under which personal data may be transferred to foreign countries or international organisations, requiring that such transfers only occur when the receiving country or organisation provides adequate safeguards for data protection, including compliance with human rights and fundamental freedoms. Transfers are permitted when necessary for crime p...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

15 APR 2025 · Other

National Data Protection Authority's compliance package for processing personal data

On 15 April 2025, the National Data Protection Authority (ANPDP) released a compliance package consisting of one main guideline and four supporting templates. The primary document, "Compliance Procedures," serves as a step-by-step guideline for implementing Law 07-18, covering requirements such as appointing data protection representatives, forming internal compliance teams, and establishing lawful processing procedures. This is accompanied by templates, a confidentiality and non-disclosure a...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

06 APR 2025 · International Agreement

Algeria-Rwanda Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in ICT, Innovation, and the Digital Economy

On 4 June 2025, Algeria and Rwanda signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in information and communication technologies (ICT), innovation, and the digital economy during the official visit of the Rwandan President to Algeria. The MoU, formalised by the Minister of Post and Telecommunications of Algeria and the Rwandan Minister of ICT and Innovation, establishes a framework for collaboration in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and technology development. It promotes...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

04 APR 2025 · International Agreement

Artificial intelligence authority governance in Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence

On 4 April 2025, delegates at the Global AI Summit on Africa signed the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The Declaration outlines commitments to support the adoption of responsible national AI policies and governance frameworks that align with the African Union’s AI Continental Strategy. It also proposes the creation of a continent-wide knowledge-sharing platform to enable the coordination of policy tools, regulatory sandboxes, and best practices in AI governance. Further cooper...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

04 APR 2025 · International Agreement

Data governance in Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence

On 4 April 2025, delegates at the Global AI Summit on Africa signed the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The Declaration highlights the establishment of a framework for African open datasets and open AI models, with the goal of improving data collection, digitisation, and interoperability across several sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and climate resilience. In line with the AU Data Policy Framework and relevant national legislation, the Declaration also calls fo...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

11 MAR 2025 · Standard / Framework

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Resolution on developing Guidelines to assist States monitor technology companies in respect of their duty to maintain information integrity through independent fact checking

On 11 March 2025, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) adopted Resolution ACHPR/Res.630 (LXXXII) 2025 on the development of guidelines to assist states in monitoring technology companies. The resolution requires the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa to develop these guidelines in collaboration with stakeholders such as civil society, regulatory bodies, and technology companies. The aim is to enable States to effectively moni...

Official materialContent ModerationOfficial source · achpr.au.int ↗

18 DEC 2024 · National Strategy

Bahrain and Algeria seeks Arab AI regulation deal

Bahrain and Algeria are advancing efforts to establish an Arab framework agreement aimed at creating unified regulations for artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology. Discussions took place during the sidelines of the 2024 United Nations Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh.

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

03 DEC 2024 · Law / Act

Data localisation requirement in Law No. 23-20 on the Audiovisual Activity

On 3 December 2024, Law No. 23-20 on the Audiovisual Activity entered into force. Article 85 established a 12-month transitional period from the law's publication date (2 December 2023), during which existing audiovisual and online communication services were required to align their operations with the law. Article 15 requires that services of audiovisual communication online must have their hosting “exclusively and physically domiciled” with Algeria's public broadcasting organisation, using ...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

12 OCT 2024 · National Strategy

Algeria unveils AI Strategy

Primary source (aicouncil.dz) dated 10 December 2024 in DZ. See linked source for full text.

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

04 JUN 2024 · Working Paper

African Union Development Agency AI and Future of Work in Africa White Paper

On 4 June 2024, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) adopted the White Paper on AI and the Future of Work in Africa. This initiative aims to coordinate AI practices across the continent, ensuring ethical standards and aligning technological advances with socio-economic goals. It explores how generative AI can drive productivity, economic growth, and job transformation while posing risks of work disruption, inequality, and technological dependency. It highlights the need for inves...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

03 JUN 2024 · Law / Act

Content moderation regulation in Law No. 23-19 on the written press and electronic press

On 3 June 2024, Law No. 23-19 on the written press and electronic press entered into force. As per Article 79, periodical publications and electronic press entities were obligated to fully comply with the law's provisions within six months of its publication in the Official Journal on 2 December 2023. Article 68 authorises the Written and Electronic Press Regulatory Authority to suspend publications or websites for up to 30 days if they violate legal obligations, including content that underm...

Secondary evidenceContent ModerationIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

21 MAY 2024 · Policy / Guidance

African Union Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy

On 21 May 2024, the African Union Executive Council adopted the Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy. This framework establishes a set of guidelines designed to ensure the protection of children's rights within the digital sphere throughout the African continent. The policy incorporates a 4Cs model to categorise online risks, encompassing content, contact, conduct, and consumer risks. It establishes guiding principles that prioritise child rights, digital safety, and empowerment. The po...

Official materialContent ModerationOfficial source · au.int ↗

12 MAR 2024 · Law / Act

Content moderation regulation in Law No. 23-20 on the Audiovisual Activity

On 3 December 2024, Law No. 23-20 on the Audiovisual Activity entered into force. Article 85 established a 12-month transitional period from the law's publication date (2 December 2023), during which existing audiovisual and online communication services were required to align their operations with the law. Article 32 obligates audiovisual services to abstain from broadcasting content that promotes violence, terrorism, racial discrimination, or false information, while Article 69 extends the ...

Secondary evidenceContent ModerationIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

04 MAR 2024 · Other

China-African Union cooperation on Artificial Intelligence

On 3 April 2024, China and the African Union adopted a joint statement to increase their cooperation in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) research and development. The statement was adopted at the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum in China, which focussed on the cooperation between the African Union and China on data protection regulation within the domain of AI development. This statement underscores the commitment of both parties to enhance policy dialogue, prom...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · cac.gov.cn ↗

06 FEB 2024 · Other

Pall Mall Process on Tackling the Proliferation and Irresponsible Use of Commercial Cyber Intrusion Capabilities

On 6 February 2024, a collaborative statement involving multiple countries and endorsed by technological companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Meta was released. This joint declaration underscored the imperative for enhanced measures to address the malicious exploitation of cyber espionage tools. Signed by 35 nations during a conference hosted by Britain and France, the statement aimed to counter the escalating prevalence and misuse of spyware, which is employed for listening to phone conv...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · diplomatie.gouv.fr ↗

13 SEP 2023 · Other

AI for Sustainable Youth Development in Africa

On 13 September 2023, the African Union adopted a policy brief to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance under the Make Africa Digital (MAD) campaign. It underscores the need for investment in infrastructure, inclusive legislation, public-private partnerships, and digital education to enhance AI adoption across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, trade, and entrepreneurship. The brief identifies challenges such as low internet penetration, lack of digital skills, and ...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · au.int ↗

10 SEP 2023 · Executive Order

Presidential Decree No. 23-314 establishing High Commissariat for Digitisation and outlining its missions, organisation, and functioning

On 10 September 2023, Presidential Decree No. 23-314 establishing the High Commissariat for Digitisation and outlining its missions, organisation, and functioning enters into force. The Commissariat is responsible for developing the national digitisation strategy in consultation with various sectors, including the private sector, and ensuring its alignment with information system security requirements. The Commissariat's missions include defining priority projects, proposing legal and technic...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

12 AUG 2023 · Law / Act

Data protection regulation in Law regarding the protection of individuals in the processing of personal data (Law No. 18-07)

On 12 August 2023, the Algerian Law Relating to the Protection of Individuals in the Processing of Personal Data (Law No. 18-07) entered into force. The law applies to the processing of personal data by both public bodies and private individuals. Under the law, data processing requires either prior notification to the National Data Protection Authority or the Authority’s prior authorisation. In addition, the Law outlines data subjects' rights such as information, access, rectification, and op...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

06 AUG 2023 · International Agreement

Cybersecurity regulation in African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection

On 8 June 2024, the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection entered into force. The Convention emphasises the importance of developing national cybersecurity policies and strategies to address the evolving threats in the digital landscape. It mandates the implementation of legal measures to criminalise cyber offences such as unauthorised access to computer systems, data breaches, and cyber-enabled fraud. Additionally, the Convention encourages international coo...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · au.int ↗

06 AUG 2023 · International Agreement

Data protection authority governance in African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection

On 8 June 2024, the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection entered into force. The Convention mandates the establishment of national data protection authorities to govern and enforce data protection regulations across its member states. These authorities are tasked with overseeing compliance with data protection laws, handling complaints, conducting audits, and imposing sanctions when necessary. The Convention emphasises the independence and impartiality of th...

Primary legal sourceNational StrategyOfficial source · au.int ↗

26 JUN 2023 · Policy / Guidance

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-Enterprises AI Council

On 26 June 2023, the AI Council was established as a scientific advisory body by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups, and Micro-Enterprises. The AI Council comprises experts from government, industry, and academia, both domestic and international, to provide recommendations for a cross-sectoral AI strategy and foster innovation in artificial intelligence.

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

03 FEB 2022 · Standard / Framework

Data protection regulation guidance in African Union Data Policy Framework

On 3 February 2022, the African Union adopted a declaration establishing a continental framework for data protection regulation. The objective of this framework is to achieve harmonisation of data governance across the member states of the African Union. The framework delineates principles for data classification, protection, and the empowerment of Data Protection Authorities (DPAs) to enforce compliance. In particular, the declaration encourages data controllers and processors to obtain info...

Official materialNational StrategyOfficial source · au.int ↗

11 NOV 2021 · Executive Order

Decree No. 21-439 on reorganisation of national body for prevention and combating of offences related to information and communication technologies

On 11 November 2021, Presidential Decree No. 21-439 on the reorganisation of the national body for the prevention and combating of offences related to information and communication technologies entered into force. This independent administrative authority, operating under the President of the Republic, is tasked with defining and implementing the national strategy for preventing and combating such offences. The body is authorised to conduct preventive surveillance of electronic communications...

Secondary evidenceContent ModerationIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified

26 JAN 2021 · Executive Order

Presidential Decree No. 20-05 on establishing a national framework for security of information systems

On 26 January 2021, Presidential Decree No. 20-05 on establishing a national framework for the security of information systems entered into force. The private operators were required to designate a responsible person for the security of their information systems by 26 January 2021. The decree mandates the Agency for the Security of Information Systems to advise and assist both public and private operators in implementing information system security strategies and to support them in managing s...

Secondary evidenceNational StrategyIssuing institution: Issuing authority not identified