Artificial Intelligence law at Burundi
As of May 2025, Burundi does not have a dedicated national law or policy specifically governing artificial intelligence (AI). However, the country is part of broader regional and continental initiatives aimed at establishing AI governance frameworks.
Regional and Continental AI Governance
Burundi is a member of the African Union (AU), which has been actively working on AI regulation across the continent. In February 2024, the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) published a draft AI policy that encourages member states to develop national AI strategies. These strategies are recommended to include industry-specific codes, standards, certification bodies, and national AI councils. The policy also suggests the establishment of AI regulatory sandboxes for testing AI systems under supervision. While the AU Draft Policy is not yet officially endorsed, it serves as a framework for countries without existing AI regulations to develop their own strategies .(innocanyon.com, CIPESA, Home)
Additionally, the AU's Malabo Convention, which came into force in June 2023, addresses data protection, cybersecurity, and electronic commerce. This convention provides a regional legal basis for data governance, which is crucial for AI development .(ResearchGate)
Burundi's Engagement with AI
While Burundi has not yet implemented a national AI policy, the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB) has shown interest in leveraging AI for financial innovation. The BRB is exploring AI applications to enhance financial supervision, improve regulatory compliance, and detect irregularities such as fraud or money laundering. In doing so, the BRB emphasizes the importance of transparency, accountability, bias mitigation, and data privacy in AI systems .(Cash Platform)
Conclusion
Burundi is currently without a specific national AI law. However, as a member of the AU, the country is encouraged to align with regional initiatives and may consider developing its own AI governance framework in the future. The BRB's exploration of AI in financial regulation indicates a growing interest in the responsible adoption of AI technologies.
RELATED Blog
0 comments