For an explanation of how to read this resource, please refer to the guide at the bottom.
AI Regulation
There is no regulation specifically governing AI in the country.
Definitions of AI
The 2023 amendment to Gabon’s Personal Data Protection Law (see “Existing Legal Framework” below) provides definitions of “Intelligence Artificielle” and “Algorithme” as follows:
Intelligence Artificielle: procédé logique et automatisé reposant généralement sur un algorithme qui est en mesure de réaliser des tâches bien définies. Constitue une intelligence artificielle, tout outil utilisé par une machine;
Algorithme: description d'une suite d'étapes permettant d'obtenir un résultat à partir d'éléments fournis en entrée;
Core Principles
As the country is yet to establish AI regulations, there is no formal statement of core AI principles.
Public Consultations
Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of invitations for public input on AI governance in the country.
Existing Legal Framework
A non-exhaustive list of regulations that might affect AI in the country includes:
- Constitution of Gabon1
- Strategic Plan for an Emerging Gabon (Plan Strategique Gabon Emergent) (PSGE), dated July 20122
- Accelerated Transformation Plan for Development (Plan d’Accélération de la Transformation) (PAT), released January 20213
- Regulation on Electronic Communications (Ordinance No. 00000013/PR/2018 of 23 February 2018)4
- Electronic Communications Law (Law No. 026/2018 of 17 October 2019)5
- Electronic Transactions Law (Law No. 025/2021 of 28 December 2021)6
- Constitutional Court Decision re Electronic Transactions Law (Decision No. 030/CC of 24 August 2021)7
- Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 025/2023 of 9 July 2023 amending Law No. 001/2011 of 25 September 2011)8
- Regulation on Cybersecurity and Cybercrime (Ordinance No. 00000015/PR/2018 of 23 February 2018)9
- Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Law (Law No. 027/2023 of 11 July 2023)10
Human Rights
The UDHR was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948. Its principles are considered universal and applicable to all UN member states. As a member of the UN, Gabon has committed to upholding the principles of the UDHR. The Constitution of Gabon includes provisions that protect fundamental human rights.11 Article 1(5) guarantees the right to privacy (of correspondence and communications). Other protections include the rights to freedom of expression (Article 1(2)), work (Article 1(7)), healthcare (Article 1(8)), education (Articles 1(16), (18), and (19)), and equality and non-discrimination (Article 2). Gabon has ratified several key international human rights instruments, including the ACHPR, ICCPR, and ICESCR. However, the country has not signed or ratified the Malabo Convention.
Regulators
A non-exhaustive list of regulators that might impact AI in the country includes:
- Ministry of Digital Economy and New Information Technologies (Ministère de l'Economie Numérique et des Nouvelles Technologies de l'Information)12
- Ministry of Communication and Media (Ministère de la Communication et des Médias)13
- Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (ARCEP)14
- National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies (Agence Nationale des Infrastructures Numériques et des Fréquences) (ANINF)15
- Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Private Life (Autorité pour la Protection des Données Personnelles et de la Vie Privée) (APDPVP)16
- Gabonese Standardisation Agency (Agence Gabonaise de Normalisation)17
- General Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control (Direction Générale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Répression des Fraudes) (DGCCRF)18
- National Commission for Human Rights (Commission Nationale des Droits de l'Homme) (CNDH)19
R&D and Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives
Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of significant investments or multi-stakeholder initiatives on AI within the country.
Professional/Industry Associations
Based on publicly available information, we have not found evidence of professional or industry associations dedicated to AI in the country.
Advisory Bodies and Expert Groups
The National Technical Committee for Artificial Intelligence (Comité Technique National pour l'Intelligence Artificielle) (CTN-IA) was established in collaboration with UNESCO in December 2023 to oversee national AI initiatives.20
Guide
- AI Regulation: The term "regulation", as used in this resource, encompasses measures ranging from binding laws to national AI policies and strategies, government proposals, advisory guidelines, and industry standards that address AI systems and their implications.
- Existing Legal Framework: This section outlines the relevant legal framework, excluding any AI-specific regulations presented in the initial section.
- Human Rights: The following terms have the stated meanings: "ACHPR" means the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, "ICCPR" means the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, "ICESCR" means the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, "Malabo Convention" means the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, "UDHR" means the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and "UN" means the United Nations. Any reference to an “Article” or “Section” of the Constitution is to the version of the Constitution referenced herein.
- Advisory Bodies and Expert Groups: This section excludes legislative and parliamentary committees.
