Ethiopia

4TOTAL

2OFFICIAL SOURCES

4TOPIC AREAS

Policy / Guidance1

International Agreement1

Other2

CybersecurityData Privacy & ProtectionGenerative AIHealth & Life Sciences

Other

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

It is reported that, according to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (AII) has become one of Africa's most visible and influential AI institutions. Over the past five years, the AII has achieved significant milestones, including developing internationally patented technologies for breast cancer detection and diagnosing diseases in coffee and other agricultural products. The Institute has advanced in hardware design, drone production, and communication technologies. The AII created "Mesob," a platform offering over 100 services, and developed digital solutions to modernize government operations. It also made progress in cloud computing and language technologies, enabling communication across multiple Ethiopian languages without third-party translators. PM Abiy emphasized the importance of Ethiopia embracing the ongoing AI revolution to avoid lagging behind global advancements.

21 November 2025Health & Life Sciences

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Policy / Guidance

National Artificial Intelligence Policy implemented

Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers has unanimously endorsed the National AI Policy after three years of consultations with key stakeholders. The policy encompasses various key areas, including data management, human resource development, research and development, assistance and encouragement, infrastructure, law and ethics, and cooperation and coordination.

27 June 2024Data Privacy & Protection

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Other✓ Official

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

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and called for greater cooperation with Africa's fastest growing economy, including in infrastructure, green industry, and the digital economy. Minister Wang said China is willing better align development strategies with Ethiopia to promote their "all-weather strategic partnership" to new heights. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as trade, infrastructure, energy, transportation and law as well as in new areas such e-commerce, AI and green energy.

9 January 2026Generative AI

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International Agreement✓ Official

BRICS+ sign declaration on AI governance

Foreign Ministers from the BRICS+ countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and new members as of 1 January 2025, including Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates) have issued a declaration following a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, which includes commitments on AI to prioritise transparency, ethical standards, data protection, and equitable development outcomes, particularly in addressing digital and data inequalities between and within countries. The BRICS+ ministers have emphasised the importance of establishing inclusive and representative international governance for AI within the framework of the United Nations.

29 April 2025Data Privacy & ProtectionGenerative AICybersecurity

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