AI governance in North Africa: an ecosystems approach

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential for North African societies, yet its development and deployment present complex ethical, social, and regulatory challenges within the region's diverse contexts. This paper examines the state of AI governance in North Africa, focusing on Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia. It analyses national AI strategies through thematic analysis of policy documents and situates them within the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy (2024). Adopting an ecosystem approach, the study evaluates how social, economic, and institutional factors shape national capacities to develop AI that advances human flourishing. The findings reveal uneven policy maturity: Egypt demonstrates strong regional leadership, while countries such as Morocco and Sudan lack formal strategies. Although many national efforts reflect the AU’s aspirations for ethical and inclusive AI-driven growth, geopolitical and infrastructural fragmentation limit sub-regional coordination. Despite these disparities, all countries express a shared ambition to leverage AI for development and innovation. Strengthening ecosystem components and embedding ethical governance remain essential for achieving equitable and context-sensitive AI governance across the region.