Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity in Ethiopia

This newly released policy brief, authored by Professor Kinfe Yilma, Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of Leeds, provides a timely and insightful analysis of the intersection between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in Ethiopia. As Ethiopia accelerates its digital transformation, AI is increasingly reshaping governance, economic activity, and everyday life. The brief offers a critical and forward-looking assessment of both the opportunities and risks associated with these developments. It highlights how technological innovation is advancing in parallel with growing cybersecurity threats, data protection challenges, and risks of misuse. Importantly, the brief reframes cybersecurity as a fundamental pillar of human security, good governance, and sustainable development. It identifies key gaps in existing policy frameworks, legal regimes, and institutional capacities, underscoring the urgent need for a more coherent and robust response. Grounded in a human-centered approach, the analysis calls for stronger safeguards, more inclusive governance structures, and enhanced coordination among government, the private sector, and civil society. Through clear and actionable recommendations, the brief provides a practical roadmap for leveraging the benefits of AI while fostering a secure, resilient, and rights-respecting digital ecosystem in Ethiopia.