Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity in Ethiopia

As Ethiopia accelerates its digital transformation, AI is reshaping governance, the economy, and daily life. This policy brief offers a timely, critical look at both the promise and the risks, highlighting how innovation is advancing alongside growing cybersecurity threats, data protection challenges, and potential misuse. It reframes cybersecurity as a core pillar of human security, good governance, and sustainable development, identifying key gaps in policy, law, and institutional capacity. Grounded in a human-centered approach, it calls for stronger safeguards, inclusive governance, and coordinated action across government, business, and civil society. With clear, actionable recommendations, the brief provides a practical roadmap to harness AI’s benefits while building a secure, resilient, and rights-respecting digital future for Ethiopia.