Ethiopia is on the cusp of adopting its first National AI Strategy, with the Artificial Intelligence Institute spearheading its development. In June 2023, Innovation and Technology State Minister Huria Ali announced that the strategy was being finalised. The comprehensive plan will address key areas including data management, human resource development, research and development, infrastructure, law and ethics, as well as cooperation and coordination, particularly with the African Union.
The country is actively participating in the AU's efforts to develop an AI Continental Strategy, with a finalisation workshop held in Addis Ababa in August 2023. The AU has also opened a White Paper for consultation until April 2024, focusing on the responsible adoption of AI across Africa.
In 2023, Ethiopia joined the BRICS bloc alongside Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. During the 2023 BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced plans to launch an AI Study Group within the BRICS Institute of Future Networks, signalling increased cooperation on AI development among member states.
While Ethiopia's 1995 Constitution establishes a fundamental right to privacy, the country has yet to enact a comprehensive personal data protection law. However, progress is being made. A draft Personal Data Protection (PDP) Proclamation was introduced in 2020 and updated in 2021. In October 2023, the Council of Ministers approved the Proclamation for parliamentary ratification.
The draft PDP Proclamation, inspired by the EU's GDPR, proposes the establishment of a Personal Data Protection Commission, outlines rights and duties for data controllers and processors, and defines data subject rights such as access, rectification, and the right to be forgotten. It also includes regulations for cross-border data transfers. Civil society organisations have called for greater transparency in the drafting process and ensuring the independence of the proposed Commission.
Ethiopia is implementing a Digital ID Programme called Fayda as part of its Digital Ethiopia 2025 Strategy. While aimed at improving access to services, concerns have been raised about the potential reinforcement of discrimination against ethnic minorities and fears of increased surveillance in a country already classified as "not free". From 2024, the digital ID became mandatory for financial transactions and access to public services. As of January 2024, over 4 million Ethiopians had enrolled in the Fayda programme, with the government aiming for 90 million enrollments by 2028.
Ethiopia faces significant challenges in protecting human rights and digital freedoms. The country was classified as "not free" in both the Freedom House Report (20/100) and Internet Freedom Report (26/100) for 2023. Ongoing conflicts in Tigray, Amhara, and Oromia regions have led to internet shutdowns and restrictions on social media platforms. The 2020 Hate Speech and Disinformation Prevention and Suppression Proclamation has raised concerns about press freedom and free expression online.
Ethiopia has not endorsed the OECD AI Principles but is a member of the African Union, which has joined the G20 and endorsed the G20 AI Principles. As a UNESCO member, Ethiopia adopted the 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, though implementation measures remain to be seen.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/