Libya Unveils National AI Strategy 2026–2030 and Adopts Ethics Charter, Featuring 35 Initiatives Across Six Key Areas

Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba, representing the Government of National Unity, has announced the formal adoption of an Artificial Intelligence Ethics Charter. Concurrently, the country launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030, positioning Libya as the latest African nation to establish a comprehensive framework for AI-driven digital transformation.

Unveiled in Tripoli on June 1 at an official ceremony overseen by Minister of State for Digital Economy and Artificial Intelligence Ziad al-Hajjaji, the strategy outlines 35 initiatives structured around six core pillars: governance and leadership, legislation and ethics, infrastructure and data, human capital and education, innovation and priority sectors, and monitoring and evaluation. This framework marks Libya’s inaugural comprehensive national approach to AI.

Strategic Pillars and Ambitious Targets

The strategy sets several key quantitative targets to be achieved by 2030. These include enabling 80% of government entities to integrate AI solutions, activating a national digital identity for 70% of the population, and training 10,000 government employees in advanced technology fields. Furthermore, the plan aims to support 100 AI startups, automate 50% of government transactions, and convert 70% of paper records into digital systems.

The accompanying Ethics Charter emphasizes a human-centric approach to AI, stating that AI systems are intended to support human decision-making rather than replace it, particularly in sensitive areas like health, justice, and security. The charter also commits to principles of justice, transparency, accountability, and the safeguarding of digital sovereignty.

Initial AI deployments will prioritize sectors such as health, financial services, education, and public services, with pilot projects preceding broader expansion into national security and energy. Specific initiatives within the strategy include AI-powered early disease diagnosis for conditions like diabetes and cancer, personalized learning platforms for students, and AI models designed for fraud and money laundering detection.

Infrastructure and Governance Foundations

Infrastructure development plans feature the launch of a Libya Sovereign Cloud between 2026 and 2027, a Unified National Digital ID system by 2027, and a National Data Exchange Platform by 2028. A fundamental principle guiding the infrastructure pillar is data decoupling, which involves separating data from legacy applications to ensure future flexibility.

The government intends to establish new governance structures, including a National Artificial Intelligence Authority under the Cabinet, the appointment of a Chief AI Officer, and the creation of an Executive Office for AI Initiatives within the Ministry of Planning. A National Ethics Committee for AI is also scheduled for 2027.

Human capital development forms a central pillar of the strategy. Plans include launching a National Academy for Artificial Intelligence by 2028, integrating AI and digital ethics into school and university curricula by 2027, and establishing national AI incubators for startups. The strategy also commits to providing scholarships and specialized AI training.

Acknowledging and Overcoming Challenges

The strategy openly addresses the challenges it aims to overcome, identifying the absence of a unified national AI body, legislative fragmentation, limited availability of high-quality data, and shortages in specialized skills as primary weaknesses. For a nation with a complex political landscape, the simultaneous adoption of both a strategy and an ethics charter signals a strong commitment.

The government has been transparent about its starting point, acknowledging these gaps and outlining a structured, phased approach to address each one. This launch occurs during a period of significant AI policymaking across Africa, with Ghana, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe having also introduced national AI strategies in 2026, and South Africa’s draft National AI Policy undergoing extensive debate.

What this means for Africa: Libya's new strategy and ethics charter contribute to a growing trend of African nations establishing comprehensive AI frameworks, highlighting the continent's commitment to harnessing AI responsibly for digital transformation.