South Africa’s draft National AI Policy published for public comment

25 April 2026 – Please note that since the publication of this advisory, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has withdrawn the draft National AI Policy for public comment due to challenges with the citations contained in the draft policy. We will publish a further advisory once South Africa’s regulatory position develops.

On 10 April 2026, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) published South Africa’s draft National AI Policy for public comment. The highly anticipated draft policy presents South Africa’s AI policy vision as “AI for inclusive economic growth, job creation, cost reduction, and a developing Africa.”

It further identifies four critical sectors for AI implementation, namely education, healthcare, agriculture, and public administration.

With reference to regulatory developments within the global context, the draft policy acknowledges the need for South Africa to harmonise its position with international standards and frameworks for ethical development and deployment.

In terms of expected outcomes, the draft policy is designed to lead to:

• Increased uptake of AI technologies in public, private, society, and other sectors.
• Enhanced institutional capacity for AI governance and regulation.
• Growth in local AI innovation ecosystems and job creation.
• Reduction in the digital divide through equitable access to AI education, technologies, and services.
• Stronger national positioning in global discussions and partnerships.

Importantly, and in line with its broader cross-sectoral model, it identifies several institutions that are likely to play a regulatory role; it also proposes the establishment of a host of new entities, including a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, and an AI Regulatory Authority, among others.

The draft policy follows the national AI policy framework, which was published in 2024 and which introduced the notion of balancing the push of the present, pull of the future, and the weight of the past approach.

Written submissions may be sent to [email protected] or via post to the Director-General, DCDT (Block A, iParioli Office Park, 1166 Park Street, Hatfield, Pretoria) by 16h00 on 10 June 2026.