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AI regulation in Cameroon: laws & policy (2026)

AI in Cameroon: guidelines only.

Cameroon has no binding AI-specific legislation in force. In July 2025, the government adopted a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA) through its second National Consultations on AI (CONIA 2025), outlining a seven-pillar framework to make Cameroon a regional AI hub by 2040. A dedicated national AI legal framework, AI Authority, and Presidential Council on AI are explicitly planned under the SNIA but have not yet been enacted.

Last verified Official sources first · MethodologyCompare Cameroon with other countries

Legal framework

National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA) unveiled July 2025; Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL); Personal Data Protection Law No. 2024/017 (December 2024)

Key points: artificial intelligence in Cameroon

  1. National AI Strategy (SNIA) adopted July 2025

    The SNIA was adopted at CONIA 2025 (July 7-8, Yaoundé) under MINPOSTEL. It sets a 2040 vision structured around seven pillars: governance/digital sovereignty, data infrastructure, multilingual AI, sovereign infrastructure, human capital, sectoral innovation, and international cooperation. It targets 12,000 direct jobs and a 0.8-1.2% GDP contribution by 2040.

    techafricanews.com theguardianpostcameroon.com

  2. AI legal framework and Authority proposed, not enacted

    Pillar 1 of the SNIA commits the government to establishing a dedicated AI Authority, a Presidential Council on AI, and drafting a framework law on AI ethics and inter-ministerial coordination. As of mid-2026 these remain announced intentions without enacted legislation.

    powersofafrica.com thehighstreetjournal.com

  3. Personal Data Protection Law No. 2024/017 (December 2024)

    Cameroon's first comprehensive data protection law was signed on 23 December 2024. It governs automated processing of personal data but contains no specific provisions on AI systems, automated decision-making, or algorithmic accountability, leaving a regulatory gap relevant to AI.

    prc.cm globalcenter.ai

  4. Background ICT legislation from 2010

    Three 2010 laws form the broader digital regulatory backdrop: Law No. 2010/013 (electronic communications), Law No. 2010/012 (cybersecurity and cybercrime), and Law No. 2010/021 (electronic commerce). None address AI specifically.

    onpolicy.org link.springer.com

  5. Sovereign LLM and capacity-building targets

    A key SNIA deliverable is 'GPT Cameroon,' a sovereign large language model supporting national and local languages. The strategy also targets training 4,000 AI professionals annually and 60,000 by 2040, with women comprising 40% of the trained workforce.

    businessincameroon.com iafrica.com

  6. No sector-specific AI rules or use-case bans

    Cameroon has not enacted any sector-specific AI rules (e.g., for finance, health, or biometrics) nor legislated bans on specific AI applications such as real-time biometric surveillance. All governance measures remain at the strategy and planning stage.

    globalcenter.ai link.springer.com

Timeline of decisions

  1. Guidance · official
    CONIA 2025 Adopts National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (SNIA) Targeting 2040

    At the second National Consultations on AI (CONIA 2025) in Yaoundé, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Minette Libom Li Likeng unveiled Cameroon's National AI Strategy built on seven pillars, governance, data infrastructure, multilingual AI, edge computing, human capital, innovation, and regional cooperation, with goals of 12,000 jobs created and 0.8-1.2% GDP contribution by 2040. The strategy proposes a Cameroonian AI Authority, a Presidential Council on AI, and a future framework law for ethical AI governance.

    OECD.AI (MINPOSTEL submission)

  2. Guidance · official
    First National Consultations on Artificial Intelligence (CONIA 2024) Held in Yaoundé

    The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications convened a two-day inaugural CONIA, bringing together public and private sector actors, academia, civil society, and international organisations to map AI integration across Cameroon. Recommendations from CONIA 2024 directly shaped the national AI strategy adopted at CONIA 2025.

    Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MINPOSTEL)

Sources

  1. prc.cm/en/multimedia/documents/10271-law-n-2024-017-of-23-12-2024-web
  2. techafricanews.com/2025/07/08/cameroon-unveils-2040-ai-roadmap-anchored-on-seven-strateg
  3. theguardianpostcameroon.com/post/5238/fr/at-close-of-conia-2025-stakeholders-adopt-inclusive-sove
  4. powersofafrica.com/article/2125/artificial-intelligence-cameroon-unveils-its-strategy
  5. globalcenter.ai/research/data-privacy-and-responsible-ai-adoption-in-cameroon
  6. link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-56396-6_2
  7. onpolicy.org/ict-regulations-and-policies-in-cameroon/
  8. iafrica.com/cameroon-launches-national-ai-strategy-to-drive-innovation-by-2040/
  9. thehighstreetjournal.com/cameroon-unveils-national-ai-strategy/
  10. businessincameroon.com/public-management/1107-14843-cameroon-unveils-ai-plan-to-create-12-00

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026