12 of 22 Arab countries had adopted standalone national AI policies by early 2026, but none has yet enacted a standalone AI law, according to the Annual SDG Review 2026: Artificial intelligence policies for social inclusion in the Arab region, published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) in April 2026.
About the report
| Publisher | UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) |
| Released | April 2026 (document E/ESCWA/CL5.SDGS/2026/1) |
| Title | Annual SDG Review 2026: Artificial intelligence policies for social inclusion in the Arab region |
| Data covered | National and regional AI policies, plus a survey of social affairs ministries in 11 countries run from December 2025 to February 2026 |
| Latest edition? | Yes, the fifth in the series, latest as of November 2026 |
Key findings
- 12 of 22 Arab countries (about 55%) had standalone national AI policies by early 2026, against about 90 countries worldwide, ESCWA reports. No Arab country has enacted a standalone AI law.
- The Arab region scored 39 out of 100 on the Government AI Readiness Index 2025, below the world average of 41, according to the review.
- AI venture capital in the region grew tenfold, from about $100 million in 2020 to over $1 billion in 2025, with 90% going to two countries: the UAE (69%) and Saudi Arabia (21%), ESCWA finds.
- Internet use in the region was about 70% in 2025, with clear gaps: 64% for women against 75% for men, and 51% in rural areas against 82% in cities, according to the review.
- Eight Arab countries were rated Tier 1 in the ITU Global Cybersecurity Index 2024: Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, ESCWA reports.
- In a survey of 11 social affairs ministries, 5 reported using AI, and only 16% of self-assessments rated the ministries as ready. No ministry was ready in terms of human resources, according to ESCWA.
| AI readiness of social affairs ministries (ESCWA) | Share |
|---|---|
| Partially ready | 53% |
| Not ready | 31% |
| Ready | 16% |
What this means for digital skills builders in the Arab region
Demand for skills is ahead of regulation. Over half of Arab countries have AI strategies, yet ministries name the lack of tailored training as a key constraint. The gap is in people, not technology. Practical skills in AI tools and data analysis are needed inside the public sector itself.
Security and privacy sit at the centre. Ministries named data privacy breaches as a main risk. That makes data protection and digital security a shared skill for developers and administrators alike.
Opportunities are concentrated. With 90% of AI venture capital going to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, most new AI jobs are being created there. For professionals elsewhere, remote work and freelance projects are realistic routes into that market.
The gender and rural gaps open room for teaching. The difference between 64% and 75% Internet use is a large audience that needs practical learning content in Arabic. Start with our practical guides.
📥 Full report: Read the Annual SDG Review 2026 for free on the ESCWA website.
FAQ
The UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in April 2026.
12 of 22 Arab countries by early 2026, according to ESCWA.
Policies up to early 2026, a ministry survey run from December 2025 to February 2026, and regional indicators for 2024 and 2025.
Yes, it is the fifth edition of the series and the latest as of November 2026.
