AI regulation in Algeria: laws & policy (2026)
AI in Algeria: guidelines only.
Algeria has no dedicated AI-specific law in force. Its primary AI governance instrument is the National AI Strategy 2024-2030, adopted in December 2024 by the government-appointed AI Council, which sets six strategic pillars and explicitly calls for developing a future legal AI framework. Binding AI-specific legislation is planned but not yet enacted; data protection Law No. 25-11 (July 2025) extends the existing 2018 personal data regime to address AI-related high-risk data processing requirements.
Legal framework
National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2024-2030), adopted by the AI Council on 8 December 2024; supported by amended personal data protection Law No. 25-11 (2025) and the National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025-2029
Key points: artificial intelligence in Algeria
National AI Strategy 2024-2030
On 8 December 2024, Algeria's AI Council officially adopted the National AI Strategy, organised around six pillars: scientific research, talent development, infrastructure investment, ecosystem building, data protection/regulatory framework, and sectoral AI deployment in healthcare, agriculture, and energy. It is a strategic document, not binding legislation.
AI Council governance body
An AI Council, led by Professor Mérouane Debbah, was established to advise the government on cross-sectoral AI policy and strategy. The Council is the principal body coordinating Algeria's AI posture and was the body that formally announced the National AI Strategy.
Law No. 25-11, data protection reform covering AI risks
Enacted on 24 July 2025, Law No. 25-11 amends the 2018 personal data protection Law No. 18-07 to address emerging technologies including AI, Big Data, and IoT. It introduces mandatory Data Protection Impact Assessments for high-risk processing, Data Protection Officer appointments, a 5-day breach notification obligation, and tighter cross-border data transfer restrictions. It is supervised by the ANPDP (National Data Protection Authority).
Planned AI-specific legislation, not yet enacted
The National AI Strategy explicitly proposes developing a dedicated legal framework to govern AI and expanding the ANPDP's mandate to include AI oversight. As of May 2026, no standalone AI law has been tabled or enacted; the legal framework remains in its planning phase.
National AI Fund and infrastructure
Algeria launched an approximately $11 million national AI and robotics fund to support startups. A national AI supercomputing centre with GPU clusters is under construction in Oran (announced March 2025), aimed at researchers, universities, and startups.
National Cybersecurity Strategy 2025-2029
In March 2025, President Tebboune validated a National Information Systems Security Strategy for 2025-2029, developed by the Ministry of National Defence's ANSI agency. It is a parallel digital governance instrument reinforcing the AI strategy's cybersecurity pillar but does not constitute AI-specific regulation.
Timeline of decisions
- GuidanceAlgeria Unveils National Digital Sovereignty Strategy 2025-2029 (SNTN)
The government launched its National Digital Transformation Strategy (SNTN 2025-2029), setting a target for AI to contribute 7% of GDP by 2027, mandating sovereign cloud infrastructure, and targeting 20,000 AI startups. The strategy explicitly identifies AI regulatory framework development as one of its six pillars.
El Watan
- Decision · officialCornerstone Laid for Algeria's First AI Supercomputing Centre, Oran
The Minister of Post and Telecommunications presided over the foundation-stone ceremony for a national AI and data-centre complex in Oran equipped with GPU clusters for AI workloads, targeting research institutions, startups, and academia in agriculture, energy, and climate modelling. This is the primary public AI compute infrastructure underpinning the National AI Strategy.
Algeria Ministry of Post and Telecommunications
- DecisionNational AI Strategy Formally Adopted by Algeria's AI Council
Algeria's AI Council (led by Professor Merouane Debbah) formally adopted the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, structured around six pillars: research & innovation, human capital, infrastructure, investment, regulatory framework, and priority sectors. The strategy also proposes expanding the ANPDP's mandate to oversee AI-specific data governance, the first concrete blueprint for AI regulation in Algeria.
Digital Policy Alert (Stanford Global Digital Policy Incubator)
- DecisionAI Scientific Council Established by Joint Ministerial Decision
The Ministers of Higher Education and Knowledge Economy jointly installed the Conseil Scientifique de l'Intelligence Artificielle, composed of national and international experts. As the first dedicated AI governance body, it was tasked with designing a cross-sectoral AI strategy and aligning innovation with ethical standards, the institutional predecessor to the December 2024 strategy adoption.
IT Mag Algeria
Sources
- digitalpolicyalert.org/event/29116-algerian-government-announces-adoption-of-national-ai-str
- digitalpolicyalert.org/change/14175-algerian-national-artificial-intelligence-strategy
- itmag.dz/2026/05/23/loi-25-11-br-lalgerie-armee-juridiquement-face-aux-defis-d
- digitalpolicyalert.org/event/25318-implemented-law-relating-to-the-protection-of-individuals
- dzair-ai.org/community/news/2024-09-15_Algeria_Announces_National_AI_Strategy_2024
- socialnetlink.org/2026/03/05/cybersecurite-lalgerie-adopte-une-strategie-nationale-pour
- al24news.dz/en/algeria-unveils-first-national-artificial-intelligence-strategy/
- responsibleai.africa/countries/67dc0bb14398d23988082548
- startupresearcher.com/news/algeria-launches-11-million-ai-investment-fundalgeria-launches-1
- elwatan.dz/pour-renforcer-sa-souverainete-numerique-lalgerie-devoile-sa-strategi
Next for Algeria: Data & PrivacyComprehensive law
Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026