The Stimson Center’s North Africa Regional Outlook (March–April 2026) highlights a region shaped by overlapping pressures of energy instability, security challenges, and economic uncertainty, all of which are influencing the rapid expansion of digital and AI-related strategies. The report notes that external shocks, including geopolitical tensions and disruptions to global supply chains, are worsening fuel shortages and fiscal stress, pushing governments to search for efficiency through digital transformation and automation. At the same time, ongoing instability in parts of the Sahel, Sudan, and Libya continues to drive migration pressures and weaken state capacity, making technologies such as AI-enabled surveillance and predictive governance increasingly attractive to policymakers. Economically, North African states are seeking to reduce dependence on hydrocarbons and attract foreign investment by positioning themselves as emerging digital hubs, often using AI initiatives and infrastructure projects as signals of modernization. However, the outlook also emphasizes persistent structural constraints, including limited infrastructure, fragmented institutions, and energy and compute shortages, which complicate the region’s ability to fully realize its digital ambitions.
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https://www.stimson.org/2026/north-africa-regional-outlook-march-18-2026/
