Tunisia - National AI Strategy (2021-2025)
National AI Strategy and Roadmap (2021-2025)
Stratégie nationale de l'IA et feuille de route (2021-2025)
Tunisia
RAI-TN-NA-NASR2XX-2021Tunisia's National AI Strategy spanning 2021-2025, overseen by multiple ministries, aims to position Tunisia as a digital leader in Africa. The roadmap focuses on building AI skills, infrastructure, data policies, and ecosystem networking to drive adoption across key sectors.
Summary
Tunisia's National AI Strategy and Roadmap (2021-2025) represents a comprehensive government initiative to harness artificial intelligence for economic growth and social development. The strategy is overseen by multiple government bodies including the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, the National Research and Innovation Programme, and the High Authority for Public Procurement, reflecting the cross-cutting nature of AI governance.
On February 19, 2022, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Technology, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Economy, and the Ministry of Higher Education to outline the development and implementation of the national AI strategy. This interministerial coordination demonstrates the government's recognition that effective AI governance requires collaboration across multiple domains.
The strategy addresses several key objectives designed to accelerate Tunisia's AI ecosystem development. Primary goals include raising awareness about AI's challenges and possibilities among stakeholders, demystifying AI technologies to facilitate their adoption across sectors, understanding AI's impact on job transformation and future skills requirements, and addressing existing AI pitfalls and risks. These awareness and education objectives form the foundation for broader adoption.
The roadmap emphasizes strengthening Tunisia's AI ecosystem through five key pillars. The first pillar focuses on developing AI skills through education reform, training programs, and workforce development initiatives. The second pillar addresses the establishment of necessary infrastructure, including cloud computing capabilities and high-performance computing resources. Novation City's AI innovation hub provides DGX infrastructure and developer training, supporting practical AI implementation.
The third pillar involves adopting comprehensive data policies that enable AI development while protecting privacy and security. The fourth pillar promotes networking activities to connect government, academia, startups, and international partners. The Tunisian AI Society (TAIS) plays a key role in fostering this ecosystem connectivity. The fifth pillar targets specific sectors including healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and education for AI deployment.
Practical infrastructure developments include the nationwide digital identity system E-Houwiya and cloud/HPC capacity building with hubs in Tunis, Sfax, and Monastir. Investment in AI reached approximately $14 million by 2024, with 88 AI publications recorded in 2025, indicating growing research output. The Future Society has collaborated with Tunisia through stakeholder consultation workshops to drive insights for strategy implementation.
The strategy positions Tunisia to become a digital leader in Africa while maintaining focus on responsible AI development. By 2025, the government aims to have established a robust AI ecosystem with trained talent, adequate infrastructure, supportive policies, and active private sector participation.
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Read full text ↗Overview
Tunisia's National AI Strategy and Roadmap (2021-2025) represents the country's comprehensive plan to position itself as a digital leader in Africa through artificial intelligence adoption. Overseen by the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, the National Research and Innovation Programme, and the High Authority for Public Procurement, the strategy coordinates efforts across multiple government bodies. On February 19, 2022, key ministries signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize collaboration on AI strategy development and implementation. The roadmap aims to build Tunisia's AI ecosystem through skills development, infrastructure investment, data policy adoption, and international partnerships.
Definitions
The strategy adopts internationally recognized definitions for artificial intelligence and related technologies. AI encompasses systems capable of performing tasks typically requiring human intelligence, including learning, reasoning, and decision-making. Machine learning refers to algorithms that improve through experience without explicit programming. The data ecosystem includes structured and unstructured data assets that enable AI training and deployment. The innovation hub model refers to physical and virtual spaces providing resources, training, and infrastructure for AI development. High-performance computing encompasses advanced computational resources necessary for AI model training and inference.
Governance and Institutional Framework
Multiple government bodies coordinate Tunisia's AI strategy implementation. The Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy provides overall strategic direction. The Ministry of Technology, Ministry of Economy, and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research contribute through the interministerial MOU. The National Research and Innovation Programme supports R&D initiatives. The High Authority for Public Procurement oversees government AI adoption. An AI task force was created under the Ministry of Higher Education in 2018 to develop the national strategy. The Novation City AI innovation hub provides infrastructure and training support. The Tunisian AI Society (TAIS) connects stakeholders across the ecosystem.
Key Focus Areas
- AI Skills Development: Education reform and workforce training programs to build human capital.
- Infrastructure Building: Cloud computing and high-performance computing capacity in Tunis, Sfax, and Monastir.
- Data Policy: Comprehensive frameworks for data collection, management, and utilization.
- Ecosystem Networking: Connecting government, academia, startups, and international partners.
- Sector Deployment: Targeting healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and education for AI applications.
- Awareness and Education: Demystifying AI and raising awareness about opportunities and challenges.
- Job Transformation: Understanding and preparing for AI's impact on employment and future skills.
- Risk Mitigation: Addressing existing AI pitfalls and ethical concerns.
- Digital Identity: Implementing E-Houwiya nationwide digital identity system.
- Research Output: Supporting AI research and publications.
Implementation Framework
Implementation follows a multi-year phased approach through 2025. The interministerial MOU signed in February 2022 established coordination mechanisms. Novation City's AI innovation hub provides DGX infrastructure and developer training as practical enablers. Cloud and HPC capacity is being built with hubs in Tunis, Sfax, and Monastir to support computational needs. The E-Houwiya digital identity system enables digital services across government. The Tunisian AI Society (TAIS) facilitates stakeholder coordination and knowledge exchange. International partnerships, including with The Future Society through stakeholder consultation workshops, provide technical assistance and best practice sharing. Sector-specific implementation targets healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and education.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Progress is tracked through quantitative and qualitative indicators. Investment metrics indicate approximately $14 million in AI funding by 2024. Research output metrics recorded 88 AI publications in 2025. Infrastructure development is monitored through hub establishment and computing capacity deployment. Skills development tracks training program completion and workforce certification. International benchmarking includes participation in OECD AI Policy Observatory monitoring. Stakeholder consultation workshops gather feedback on implementation progress. Annual reviews assess achievement against strategy milestones. The 2025 strategy endpoint will trigger comprehensive evaluation and successor strategy development.
Penalties, Liability, and Appeals
As a strategy document rather than legislation, the National AI Strategy does not establish direct penalties. Implementation relies on coordination mechanisms and resource allocation rather than enforcement. AI-related violations are addressed through existing legal frameworks including the personal data protection law (Organic Act No. 2004-63), the cybercrime decree (Decree-Law No. 2022-54), and sector-specific regulations. The INPDP handles data protection violations related to AI. Civil and criminal liability for AI harms follows general Tunisian law. The strategy encourages development of AI-specific liability frameworks through future legislation.
Relationship to Other Instruments
The National AI Strategy operates within Tunisia's broader legal and policy framework. Organic Act No. 2004-63 on personal data protection provides the legal foundation for data governance in AI systems. Decree-Law No. 2022-54 on cybercrime has implications for AI security and misuse. The draft code of digital uses under parliamentary consideration would establish a unified legal framework. Tunisia's accession to Council of Europe Convention 108 commits the country to international data protection standards. Sector-specific regulations in telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare interface with AI strategy objectives. The strategy aligns with Tunisia's broader digital transformation and economic development goals.
International Alignment
Tunisia demonstrates commitment to international AI governance standards. The strategy is tracked by the OECD AI Policy Observatory. Tunisia became the 51st member of Council of Europe Convention 108 on November 1, 2017, and signed Additional Protocol No. 181 on supervisory authorities and transborder data flows. The Future Society has collaborated through stakeholder consultation workshops driving insights for strategy development. The Tunisian AI Society connects with international AI communities. Partnerships with technology providers and research institutions support knowledge exchange. Tunisia aims to position itself as an African leader in responsible AI development through international engagement.
Implementation Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2018 | AI task force created under Ministry of Higher Education |
| 2021 | National AI Strategy and Roadmap launched (2021-2025) |
| 2022-02-19 | Interministerial MOU signed on AI strategy implementation |
| 2022-2024 | Infrastructure development and skills programs deployed |
| 2024 | Approximately $14M AI investment achieved |
| 2025 | Strategy endpoint and comprehensive evaluation |
Sources and References
| Source | Type |
|---|---|
| OECD AI Policy Observatory - Tunisia Roadmap | International Organization |
| The Future Society - Tunisia Workshop | International Partner |
| MENA AI Observatory - Tunisia | Regional Analysis |
Requirements for a company
What an organisation has to do under Tunisia - National AI Strategy (2021-2025), at a glance. Not legal advice — the table below gives the provision and deadline for each item.
Not yet in force (Adopted). These requirements apply once the instrument takes effect and may change before then.
Must do
5- Comply with Organic Act No. 2004-63 on personal data protection.All entities developing or deploying AI systems in Tunisia.
- Adhere to Decree-Law No. 2022-54 regarding cybercrime provisions.All entities developing or deploying AI systems in Tunisia.
- Adhere to international data protection standards, including Council of Europe Convention 108.All entities handling personal data within AI systems in Tunisia.
- Follow sector-specific regulations and guidance for AI deployment.Entities deploying AI systems in regulated sectors (e.g., healthcare, finance).
- Address existing AI pitfalls and ethical concerns in AI system development and deployment.Entities developing or deploying AI systems.
Must not do
0Nothing in this category.
Should do
3- Participate in available AI training and certification programs.Individuals and organizations seeking to build AI skills.
- Leverage available high-performance computing and cloud resources.Entities developing or deploying AI systems requiring computational power.
- Engage with the Tunisian AI Society (TAIS) and AI innovation hubs.AI stakeholders (government, academia, startups, industry).
Should not do
0Nothing in this category.
Who must do what
The obligations under Tunisia - National AI Strategy (2021-2025), most serious first. Not legal advice — verify against the official text before relying on it.
| # | Who | Requirement | By when | Where | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | All entities developing or deploying AI systems in Tunisia. | Comply with Organic Act No. 2004-63 on personal data protection. “AI-related violations are addressed through existing legal frameworks including the personal data protection law (Organic Act No. 2004-63).” | — | — | Critical |
| 2 | All entities developing or deploying AI systems in Tunisia. | Adhere to Decree-Law No. 2022-54 regarding cybercrime provisions. “AI-related violations are addressed through existing legal frameworks including... the cybercrime decree (Decree-Law No. 2022-54).” | — | — | Critical |
| 3 | All entities handling personal data within AI systems in Tunisia. | Adhere to international data protection standards, including Council of Europe Convention 108. “Tunisia's accession to Council of Europe Convention 108 commits the country to international data protection standards.” | — | — | Critical |
| 4 | Entities deploying AI systems in regulated sectors (e.g., healthcare, finance). | Follow sector-specific regulations and guidance for AI deployment. “Sector-specific regulations in telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare interface with AI strategy objectives.” | — | — | Important |
| 5 | Entities developing or deploying AI systems. | Address existing AI pitfalls and ethical concerns in AI system development and deployment. “Risk Mitigation: Addressing existing AI pitfalls and ethical concerns.” | — | — | Important |
| 6 | Individuals and organizations seeking to build AI skills. | Participate in available AI training and certification programs. “AI Skills Development: Education reform and workforce training programs to build human capital.” | — | — | Recommended |
| 7 | Entities developing or deploying AI systems requiring computational power. | Leverage available high-performance computing and cloud resources. “Infrastructure Building: Cloud computing and high-performance computing capacity in Tunis, Sfax, and Monastir.” | — | — | Recommended |
| 8 | AI stakeholders (government, academia, startups, industry). | Engage with the Tunisian AI Society (TAIS) and AI innovation hubs. “Ecosystem Networking: Connecting government, academia, startups, and international partners.” | — | — | Recommended |
Related Regulations
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