• Angola launches UNESCO AI readiness assessment initiative

• Review to evaluate regulatory, technical and institutional capacity

• Program supports digital transformation under 2023-2027 development plan

Angola has launched the Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), a UNESCO-led initiative designed to measure the country's preparedness for the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the Angolan Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technologies and Social Communication said in a statement on Tuesday (March 3).

The initiative marks the start of a national assessment of Angola’s institutional, regulatory and technical capacity as AI technologies expand. The goal is to anticipate risks while leveraging the economic opportunities created by these emerging technologies.

According to Amanda Mukwashi, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Angola, “Artificial intelligence represents an opportunity to accelerate sustainable development, particularly for young people.” She added that its deployment must respect human rights and be supported by appropriate regulatory and governance frameworks.

The initiative aligns with the priorities of the 2023-2027 National Development Plan, which makes digital transformation central to the country’s economic diversification strategy. According to Oxford Insights, Angola ranked 147th globally and 26th in Africa in the 2025 AI Readiness Index, with a score of 27.09 out of 100, behind Seychelles and ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The continental average stands at 29.12.

The RAM methodology will assess several key areas, including technological infrastructure, the legal framework, digital skills, data governance, and the social and ethical implications of AI. Authorities aim to ensure that AI adoption respects fundamental rights, strengthens public trust and supports local innovation.

Adoni Conrad Quenum