Artificial Intelligence · Djibouti
AI regulation in Djibouti (2026)
Djibouti shaded by its artificial intelligence status
Djibouti has no enacted dedicated AI law as of May 2026, but is actively developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy with UN ESCWA technical assistance, with a consultative workshop to refine the draft held in January 2025. The country's June 2025 Digital Code — a comprehensive ~800-article statute covering data protection, cybersecurity, e-commerce and digital governance — provides an indirect regulatory scaffolding for AI-adjacent issues but contains no dedicated AI title. Djibouti's AI policy trajectory aligns with its Vision 2035 and the 2025–2030 National Development Plan.
Key points
UNESCWA and Djibouti's MDENI held a hybrid consultative workshop on 22 January 2025 to review and enrich the draft national AI strategy ahead of formal adoption. The strategy sets out governance principles, policy priorities, and expected socio-economic impacts, drawing on international best-practice comparisons.
On 30 June 2025 the National Assembly enacted a comprehensive Digital Code (~800 articles, 8 volumes) covering electronic communications, data protection, cybersecurity, e-commerce, cryptology, and innovative digital services — making Djibouti the first East African state to adopt such a code. The Code provides an indirect legal backdrop for AI applications but does not regulate AI directly.
As of May 2026, Djibouti has not passed a standalone AI law, sectoral AI rules, or formal published AI ethics guidelines. The national AI strategy draft has not been officially adopted or gazetted.
UN ESCWA is providing sustained technical support to Djibouti to develop its AI strategy, including guidance on national AI strategy design methodology and benchmarking against comparable economies.
Djibouti's AI and digital agenda is embedded in its Vision Djibouti 2035 long-term plan and the 2025–2030 National Development Plan, framing AI as a driver of economic diversification, digital governance, and skills development.
As an AU member state, Djibouti is expected to align its nascent AI framework with the AU Continental AI Strategy endorsed in 2024, which promotes ethical, inclusive, and sovereignty-respecting AI governance across African nations.
Djibouti - other topics
Last verified 5/24/2026 · Orientation, not legal advice - verify against the primary sources linked above. Explore the full world map →