This page sets out how the AfroGulf AI Governance Index is built, scored, and governed. Transparency is the foundation of the Index's authority: a measure that cannot be examined cannot be trusted.
The Index measures, on a single comparable standard, how nations across Africa and the Gulf govern artificial intelligence and how far they command their own AI future. The inaugural edition covers ten nations: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Egypt, Rwanda, Ghana, and Morocco; and the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Coverage expands in subsequent editions.
Each nation is scored across six pillars. The sovereignty and security pillars carry 35% of the total weight — the dimension that distinguishes AfroGulf from general readiness indices.
Each of the 26 underlying indicators is scored on a 0–4 scale: 0 none · 1 nascent · 2 emerging · 3 established · 4 comprehensive. Pillar scores are normalised to 0–100; the composite is the weighted average of the six pillars. Nations are placed in tiers: Leading (75–100), Advancing (50–74), Emerging (25–49), Nascent (0–24).
Every indicator is grounded in public, citable sources — national strategies, laws and regulator publications; African Union and Smart Africa documents; OECD.AI and recognised regulatory trackers; and government and central-bank guidance. The evidence base for each nation is documented and available on request, and will be published with each edition.
Scores are prepared by the Institute's research team, reviewed against sources, and — from the first published edition — subject to review by the Institute's advisory council. Scores are revisited each edition to reflect new law, enforcement, and developments.
We take accuracy seriously and welcome correction. Any government, authority, or organisation that believes a score or underlying fact is inaccurate may submit evidence to corrections@afrogulfai.com. We commit to reviewing well-founded submissions, correcting confirmed errors, and recording material corrections transparently in the next edition. A right of reply is offered to any nation that wishes to provide context for publication alongside its profile.
The Index is editorially independent. Scores are not for sale, and no government, sponsor, funder, or commercial party may purchase, influence, or pre-view a ranking. To preserve this independence, the Institute maintains a separation between any advisory or commercial activities and the production of the Index, and will disclose its material sources of funding. Independence is not a slogan but the condition of the Index's value.
This is the inaugural edition (sourced draft). Scores reflect public sources and are subject to council review prior to formal publication. Each edition is dated and versioned.