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South Africa AI Regulation

No regulation

Overview

No AI-specific legislation has been enacted or formally tabled. The Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) applies to AI systems processing personal data. A National AI Policy Framework is under development.
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Key Sources

Department of Communications and Digital TechnologiesView
POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act)View

This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

AI Regulation Timeline

  1. 12/12/2025
    consultation closed

    Independent Communications Authority closes consultation on draft list of regulated standards for technical equipment and electronic communications facilities amendment regulations

    On 12 December 2025, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) closes the consultation on draft amendments to the official list of regulated standards for technical equipment and electronic communications facilities. The list was first published in Notice 896 of Government Gazette No. 39182 on 9 September 2015, under the Electronic Communications Act, 2005. The proposed updates concern electromagnetic compatibility standards, radio communications equipment, satellite terminals, ICT interfaces, wireless access systems, digital broadcasting devices, and other electronic communications facilities.

  2. 17/11/2025
    consultation opened

    Independent Communications Authority opened consultation on draft list of regulated standards for technical equipment and electronic communications facilities amendment regulations

    On 17 November 2025, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) opened a public consultation, running until 12 December 2025, on draft amendments to the official list of regulated standards for technical equipment and electronic communications facilities. The list was first published in Notice 896 of Government Gazette No. 39182 on 9 September 2015, under the Electronic Communications Act, 2005. The proposed updates concern electromagnetic compatibility standards, radio communications equipment, satellite terminals, ICT interfaces, wireless access systems, digital broadcasting devices, and other electronic communications facilities.

  3. 03/10/2025
    order

    South African Revenue Service closes consultation on draft Revised Common Reporting Standard (CRS) Regulations

    On 3 October 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) closes the public consultation on the draft Revised Common Reporting Standard (CRS) Regulations. The draft regulations were issued under Section 257 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act No. 28 of 2011) and specify changes to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, encompassing the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) as amended in 2023. The revisions extend scope to electronic money products and central bank digital currencies, bring indirect crypto-asset holdings into coverage, enhance due diligence and reporting obligations, and integrate revised commentaries and disclosure rules. The regulations repeal previous CRS regulations published in 2016, 2020, and 2023 and are scheduled to enter into force on 1 March 2026.

  4. 03/10/2025
    order

    South African Revenue Service closes consultation on draft Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) Regulations

    On 3 October 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) closes the public consultation on the draft Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) Regulations. The draft regulations were issued under Section 257 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act No. 28 of 2011) and implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework International Standard for the Exchange of Tax-Related Information between Countries, as adopted by the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs in 2023. The draft regulations set out rules and commentary for Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers, define due diligence and reporting requirements, incorporate the CARF Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA), and prescribe schema formats for reporting. The regulations repeal earlier provisions where applicable and are scheduled to enter into force on 1 March 2026.

  5. 15/09/2025
    order

    South African Revenue Service opened consultation on draft Revised Common Reporting Standard (CRS) Regulations

    On 15 September 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) opened a public consultation, until 3 October 2025, on the draft Revised Common Reporting Standard (CRS) Regulations. The draft regulations are issued under Section 257 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act No. 28 of 2011) and specify changes to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Standard for Automatic Exchange of Financial Account Information in Tax Matters, encompassing the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) as amended in 2023. The revisions extend scope to electronic money products and central bank digital currencies, bring indirect crypto-asset holdings into coverage, enhance due diligence and reporting obligations, and integrate revised commentaries and disclosure rules. The regulations repeal previous CRS regulations published in 2016, 2020, and 2023 and are scheduled to enter into force on 1 March 2026.

  6. 15/09/2025
    order

    South African Revenue Service opened consultation on draft Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) Regulations

    On 15 September 2025, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) opened a public consultation, until 3 October 2025, on the draft Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) Regulations. The draft regulations are issued under Section 257 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act No. 28 of 2011) and implement the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework International Standard for the Exchange of Tax-Related Information between Countries, as adopted by the OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs in 2023. The draft regulations set out rules and commentary for Reporting Crypto-Asset Service Providers, define due diligence and reporting requirements, incorporate the CARF Multilateral Competent Authority Agreement (MCAA), and prescribe schema formats for reporting. The regulations repeal earlier provisions where applicable and are scheduled to enter into force on 1 March 2026.

Last updated: 12/12/2025