Artificial Intelligence: Morocco Leads North Africa in Governance

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Morocco is solidifying its position in the African race for artificial intelligence governance. According to the 2026 edition of the Africa AI Governance Index, published by the Africa AI Policy Lab of Lawyers Hub, the Kingdom ranks fifth on the continent and holds the top spot in North Africa, ahead of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria.

With a score of 2.38 out of 4, Morocco falls into the category of countries with 'developing' AI governance. However, the ranking highlights a broader contrast across the continent: while national strategies are multiplying, their concrete implementation is still hindered by gaps in infrastructure, technological capabilities, training, and control mechanisms.

An Evaluation Based on Eight Pillars

Published in July 2026, the Africa AI Governance Index analyzes 54 African countries through 80 indicators spread across eight major areas. The study particularly focuses on national strategies, regulatory frameworks, infrastructure and data, human capital, innovation, ethics, inclusion, regional integration, and implementation capacity.

The goal is not to measure the size of African tech markets but to assess the capacity of states to structure, frame, and deploy their AI-related policies.

Rwanda tops the ranking with 3.25 points, followed by Nigeria with 2.81 points and Benin with 2.58 points. These three countries are the only ones to achieve a level classified as 'established'. However, no African state crosses the threshold corresponding to 'advanced' governance, capable of producing fully measurable results.

Kenya ranks fourth with 2.47 points, just ahead of Morocco.

Morocco at the Forefront of North Africa

The Kingdom's fifth place confirms its positioning among the most advanced African countries in structuring their AI governance. This performance is notably supported by the development of its digital capabilities, investment programs, and the momentum driven by the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy and the 'AI Made in Morocco' initiative.

Morocco thus outperforms Egypt, ranked sixth with 2.25 points, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mauritius, and Tunisia, which completes the Top 10 with a score of 2.12.

Regionally, North Africa boasts the best average on the continent, with 1.56 points. However, this lead remains relative. No country in the region had, at the reference date of the study, a general and binding legal framework specifically dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The ranking thus highlights a common reality across much of the continent: strategic ambitions are advancing faster than the mechanisms to realize them.

Ambitious Strategies, but Implementation Still Fragile

One of the main lessons from the report lies in the gap between public policy formulation and its effective implementation.

All African regions achieve their best results in the field of strategy and vision. In contrast, implementation and impact measurement are the weakest links.

Identifiable budgets, specialized teams, control mechanisms, independent audits, and evaluation tools remain underdeveloped in many countries.

This situation also raises the question of citizen protection against the rise of automated decisions. Mechanisms to evaluate the impact of algorithms, detect biases, or sanction abuses remain limited at the continental level.

However, artificial intelligence is set to intervene in an increasing number of areas, ranging from access to credit and employment to public services, health, and education.

Infrastructure, a Major Challenge for Africa

Beyond texts and strategies, the ability to develop sustainable artificial intelligence largely depends on the available infrastructure.

Connectivity, access to electricity, data centers, cloud services, and computing capacities constitute the essential foundations for developing the digital ecosystem. However, these resources remain unevenly distributed across the continent.

Dependence on foreign infrastructures and suppliers also raises issues related to digital sovereignty, data localization, and the cost of accessing computing capabilities.

In this context, the development of lighter applications, adapted to available equipment and local needs, appears to be a particularly relevant path for several African economies. Artificial intelligence can notably contribute to agriculture, health, education, combating fraud, and improving public services.

The Challenge of Transitioning from Strategy to Results

Morocco's progress in the Africa AI Governance Index illustrates the advances made in structuring its digital ecosystem and its vision for artificial intelligence.

But the ranking also reminds us that the next step will be crucial. The adoption of strategies must now be accompanied by identifiable funding, robust infrastructure, specialized skills, and effective oversight mechanisms.

For Morocco, as for the rest of the continent, the issue is no longer solely about displaying technological ambition. It is now about transforming roadmaps into operational projects and measurable results, while ensuring a responsible, inclusive, and secure use of artificial intelligence.