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South Africa Publishes Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy for Public Comment
On 10 April 2026, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (Department) published the Draft South Africa National AIPolicy (Draft AI Policy) for public comment. This 60-day public comment period ends on 10 June 2026. It is anticipated that the National AI Policy will be finalised by the end of the 2026/2027 financial year, with sectoral strategies and supporting regulatory frameworks rolling out from 2027/2028.
The Draft AI Policy is based on the South African National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework of August 2024, with various submissions having been received on this framework and consultations having taken place with government structures.
The Draft AI Policy is an early-stage record of the government’s current thinking on the topic and should in no way be considered “a strict indication of South Africa’s final approach to the AI policy landscape”. It however establishes, as an important step, South Africa’s proposed national framework for the ethical, inclusive, and human centred governance of AI, which must be aligned with the Constitution and national development priorities. This will, undoubtedly, play a critical guide in the culmination of South Africa’s National AI policy.
Continue reading for an in-depth update from law firm Fasken on this important development: South Africa Publishes Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy for Public Comment | Knowledge | Fasken.
