Lawyers Hub - News & Updates , ProjectsLawyers Hub - News & Updates , Projectshttps://www.lawyershub.org/news/projectsThu, 14 May 2026 12:39:38 -0700http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Lawyers Hub Hosts Inaugural AI & Democracy Working Group to Shape Africa’s Future in AI Governance and Democratic Integrity on October 31, 2024]]>https://www.lawyershub.org/news/post/ai-working-groupThe Lawyers Hub, in collaboration with the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), officially launched the AI & Democracy Working Group on October 31, 2024.]]>

The Lawyers Hub, in collaboration with the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), officially launched the AI & Democracy Working Group on October 31, 2024. This initiative, under the Africa AI Policy Lab, aims to address AI's role in shaping democratic processes across Africa. The working group serves as a platform for policy experts, AI professionals, lawmakers, parliament members, and civil society to collaboratively address AI's unique challenges and opportunities in African democratic contexts.

Key Highlights:

  • Data-Driven Policy and Open Government Data: Emphasized the need for open data legislation to support evidence-based AI development tailored for Africa.
  • Empowering Legislators: Strategies to empower parliamentarians with resources and evidence for shaping AI legislation.
  • Policy Briefs and Thought Leadership: Contributions on topics like electoral integrity, disinformation, AI in surveillance, and digital inclusion to amplify African voices in global AI discussions.
Experts Insights at AI & Democracy Working Group Inaugural Meeting:

Ms. Linda Bonyo:

  • Introduced the Africa AI Policy Lab, highlighting its role in fostering data-driven policymaking in AI across Africa.

  • Emphasized collaboration among policymakers, economists, and AI experts to ensure contextually relevant legislation.

  • Outlined the working group’s structure of six monthly meetings aimed at producing tangible outputs like policy briefs and model laws.

  • Stressed the need to tackle sensitive topics in democracy openly and leverage the partnership with APNIG for developing model laws.

  • Suggested using AI to enhance democratic processes and address gaps in social media monitoring during elections.

Hon. Neema Lugangira:

  • Supported the initiative, emphasizing the importance of African leadership in AI development.

  • Highlighted the critical role of parliamentarians in AI legislation and the need for their involvement.

  • Discussed the dual perspective on AI's impact on employment and the potential for new job creation.

  • Raised the importance of legislative frameworks to balance AI innovations and democratic principles.

  • Mentioned her work with the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) on a resolution addressing AI’s impact on democracy.

Fireside Chat: Linda Bonyo and Stephanie Ifayemi

Ms. Stephanie Ifayemi, Head of Policy at Partnership on AI, shared her experience in AI policy development at international and African levels. She emphasized bridging research with policy and the importance of an "Africa-first" approach. Highlighting her previous role in the UK government, she noted the need for African representation in international standards discussions.

Linda Bonyo and Stephanie Ifayemi discussed the potential for a survey to identify African AI policy priorities, stressing the importance of recognizing unique regional challenges and establishing common frameworks. They introduced the concept of a "governance stack" for AI policy and highlighted opportunities for African engagement in global AI governance forums.

Stephanie noted the emergence of AI Safety Institutes globally and the importance of African nations participating in these frameworks. She emphasized the need for African countries to develop cohesive regional objectives while contributing to international dialogues.

Linda highlighted the lack of visibility for African AI initiatives compared to the West and proposed creating a comprehensive list of individuals working on AI and democracy in Africa. She emphasized establishing a mailing list for broader stakeholder engagement and the need for a comprehensive dataset of AI professionals to facilitate inclusive policymaking.

Outputs:

  • Policy briefs, commentaries, blog posts, and a white paper.

  • A comprehensive AI policy framework on AI & Democracy.

  • A knowledge repository (WIKI) on AI and democracy.

  • Database of AI Professionals in Africa.

Upcoming Initiatives:

  • November 28, 2024: Follow-up working group meeting.

  • December: AI Policy Hackathon to collaboratively design solutions for AI challenges in democracy.

  • Framework development for a comprehensive AI policy by December.

]]>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 13:54:05 +0000<![CDATA[Lawyers Hub Monthly Review (June 2024) ]]>https://www.lawyershub.org/news/post/lawyers-hub-monthly-review-june-2024This monthly newsletter highlights the remarkable work that we do at the intersection of Law, Policy and Technology]]>

Lawyers Hub Monthly Review (June 2024) 

Message from Linda Bonyo, Founder & CEO, Lawyers Hub


Dear colleagues,


Welcome to the Lawyers Hub Monthly Review. In this issue, we are thrilled to bring you updates on the remarkable work that the Lawyers Hub has been doing in the intersection of Law, Policy, and Technology. We have been tirelessly working to ensure that technology serves the law and vice versa, and we are excited to share our progress with you.

We also have a special update on the Africa Law Tech Festival. As you know, this event is a significant milestone in our calendar, and we are excited to announce this year's dates.

As always, we also bring you updates on the latest dialogues, webinars, and conferences we have contributed to, as well as our reports and publications. We believe that these resources will be instrumental in keeping you informed and engaged in the rapidly evolving tech-law landscape.

I hope you enjoy this edition of our Monthly Review. If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement, please send an email to ceo@lawyershub.org.


Sincerely,

Linda Bonyo,

Founder & CEO, Lawyers Hub.

In this edition

May in review

  • Lawyers Hub’s Linda Bonyo appointed to the United Nations DPI Safeguards Working Group, to co-chair normative working Group.

  • May 9th, 2024: The 5th Edition of the Africa Startup Law Accelerator Commences

  • May 9th, 2024: Lawyers Hub Spearheads Survey on Africa’s Future of Work

  • May 10th, 2024: Lawyers Hub Co-Moderates Impact Coalition Workshop at UN Civil Society Conference

  • May 23rd, 2024: Lawyers Hub and UNESCO host webinar on Navigating Gender Rights in African Legal Landscapes

  • May 24th, 2024: Lawyers Hub hosts Esteemed CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation

  • Africa Union Artificial Intelligence Strategy Multi- Stakeholder Consultations: Lawyers Hub engages with the AU working group on Artificial Intelligence, following meetings at the OECD with Lawyers Hub in attendance.

  • May 27th, 2024: Tax & Tech: Lawyers Hub hosts a Policy Discussion on Kenya's Finance Bill 2024 & its impact on the Digital Economy.

  • May 31st, 2024: Lawyers Hub leads African voice on the summit of the future consultations at the UN New York.


Looking ahead

  • The Africa Law Tech Festival Returns to Nairobi in August


Lawyers Hub’s Linda Bonyo appointed to the United Nations DPI Safeguards Working Group, to co-chair normative working Group.

The Office of the United Nations Secretary-General Envoy on Technology made the announcement, bringing together global specialists on Safe Digital Public infrastructure. Read the announcement here


The 5th Edition of the Africa Startup Law Accelerator Commences


We are thrilled to announce that the 5th Edition of the Africa Startup Law Accelerator has officially commenced. The accelerator, which runs from May 9th to June 24th, 2024, is a collaborative effort between Lawyers Hub and Laws.Africa, with the shared goal of driving innovation in the legal tech sector across Africa.

This year, we received an overwhelming response with over 200 startups from all corners of Africa expressing interest and submitting applications for the accelerator. After a rigorous selection process, only 28 startups were shortlisted to join the program.

So far, the selected startups have already been taken through two comprehensive training modules on the Foundations of AI & Legal Data and the Technical Integration of AI & Legal Data. In addition, these startups have been granted access to use the Laws.Africa NPO open source legal data for their projects. This initiative aims to lower the barrier to entry for innovation in the legal tech sector.

We are excited to see the innovative solutions that these startups will develop using the resources and training provided. Stay tuned for more updates on their progress and achievements.


Lawyers Hub Spearheads Survey on Africa’s Future of Work


In a bid to understand the evolving African work environment, Lawyers Hub launched a comprehensive survey in the month of May. This initiative comes in the wake of rapid technological advancements that are not only revolutionizing various sectors but also shaping the future of the continent.

These changes have far-reaching implications for labor and digital rights. However, they also bring with them a host of risks. Job displacement, data privacy violations, worker exploitation, and algorithmic bias are some of the challenges that could potentially perpetuate structural injustices. The survey aims to delve into the impact of these changes on people’s lives and work experiences.

The findings will play a crucial role in advocating for improved policies and strategies. These strategies will aim to promote a fair, inclusive, and sustainable future of work for all Africans. 

Participate in the survey


Lawyers Hub Co-Leads the ImPACT Coalition Workshop at the United Nations Civil Society Conference


Lawyers Hub had the honor of co-moderating the ImPACT Coalition on AI & Cyber-Tech Governance Workshop during the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi. Risper Onyango (Policy Lead) represented Lawyers Hub at the event, focusing on the theme of Emerging Technologies and the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).  Despite the potential of AI to significantly contribute to Africa's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), its adoption across the continent remains limited. With only a handful of countries actively embracing AI, the potential for growth varies significantly. Lawyers Hub has examined this issue closely, identifying limitations in infrastructure, data ecosystems, and skill development necessary for AI innovation. Efforts are underway to address these challenges, including collaborations with UNESCO to enhance judiciary capacity.

Risper highlighted that recent events, such as Microsoft Abuja's layoffs, underscore the importance of advocating for tech workers' rights in Africa. As African talent powers technologies globally, it's crucial to promote principles of dignity and mental health in emerging tech sectors. 


Lawyers Hub & UNESCO host webinar on Navigating Gender Rights in African Legal Landscapes


Lawyers Hub, in partnership with UNESCO (East Africa office), hosted the 2nd webinar in the Gender, AI and Law in Africa series themed "Breaking Barriers: Navigating Gender Rights in African Legal Landscapes" on 23rd May 2024. The webinar aimed to explore legal frameworks, challenges, and opportunities for advancing gender rights in African legal contexts, fostering dialogue among legal practitioners, activists, policymakers, and the broader community to identify strategies for promoting gender equality.

Key findings and recommendations from the webinar included addressing challenges such as colonial legacy laws, negative cultural norms, weak institutional capacity, and inadequate funding. Strategies emphasized advocating for structural changes, ensuring equal access to resources, mitigating bias in artificial intelligence, and fostering dialogues to raise awareness. Panelists highlighted the need for public-private partnerships to promote digital inclusion and address gender inequalities effectively. The event concluded with a call for continued efforts to advance gender rights in Africa through collaborative initiatives and innovative solutions. 

Watch the recording


Lawyers Hub hosts Esteemed CEO of Thomson Reuters Foundation


On the 24th of May, 2024, The Lawyers Hub was honored to welcome Antonio Zappulla, OMRI , the esteemed CEO of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, an organization renowned for its commitment to advancing media freedom, fostering more inclusive economies, and promoting human rights. This significant meeting, held at our Nairobi offices, focused on the intersection of our organizations’ work and explored promising avenues for future collaboration. Stay tuned for more updates on this partnership.


Lawyers Hub leads African voice on the summit of the future consultations at the UN New York


On 31st May, Linda Bonyo, CEO spoke at the United Nations Consultation on the Summit of the Future. She took the floor to highlight computing disparities and the AI concentration gap in the global south while highlighting opportunities for member states to invest in infrastructure for AI on energy and broadband. This consultation follows the impact coalition and Civil Society conference in Nairobi where the GDC Co-Facilitators applauded the efforts by Lawyers Hub and the DC Based Stimson's Centre on convening the Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Tech Coalitions as a precursor to the summit of the UN General Assembly in September. You can read the civil society co-chair reflection report by co-chairs Carole Agengo and Nudhara Yusuf.


Africa Union Artificial Intelligence Strategy Multi- Stakeholder Consultations: Lawyers Hub engages with the AU working group on Artificial Intelligence, following meetings at the OECD with Lawyers Hub in attendance.

The African Union Working group hosted a series of consultations on the AI continental strategy . The strategy development has seen the Lawyers Hub CEO as working group members engage in shaping Africa’s future AI Dialogue. You can review the submissions and dialogue as the process is ongoing.


Tax & Tech: Lawyers Hub hosts a Policy Discussion on Kenya's Finance Bill 2024


On Monday, May 27, 2024, we conducted a public policy discussion on the potential impact of the proposed Finance Bill 2024 on Kenya’s digital ecosystem. The event featured Ben Roberts, Group Chief Technology & Innovation Officer at Liquid Telecom, Lilian Renee Omondi, a partner at Oraro & Company Advocates, and Julians Amboko, a business journalist at Nation Media Group. The dialogues Lead to discussions on the future of work and taxation of the Digital economy as well as the new requirements in place of Big Tech company compliance with place of residence vs the challenge of startups on multiple compliance hurdles. 

Watch the recording


Lawyers Hub & The Bloggers Association of Kenya present their Memorandum to Kenya’s Parliament on the Finance Bill 2024


On May 30, 2024, following the policy discussion on Kenya’s Finance Bill, the Lawyers Hub, in conjunction with the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) , presented their submissions on the Finance Bill, 2024 (National Assembly Bills No. 30 of 2024) to the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. These submissions incorporated insights and recommendations from the policy discussion, providing enhanced recommendations for the Finance Bill. You can read the submissions here.


Africa Law & Tech Festival 2024. Save the Date!

It is our pleasure to invite you to the 5th installment of the Africa Law Tech Festival, scheduled to take place from August 26th to August 27th, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. This two-day event boasts an impressive lineup of over 50 speakers, more than 15 panel discussions, and upwards of 10 masterclasses. In addition, there will be networking opportunities, an awards ceremony, an exhibition, and so much more. Please make a note in your calendars and reserve these dates. We will begin accepting registrations on June 20th, 2024. We look forward to your participation!

More information about the festival


Upcoming Trainings


Certified Information Privacy Professional Certification Training (CIPP/E)


We are thrilled to announce that the registration for the eleventh installment of our CIPP/E certification training, is now officially open! This certification, known as CIPP/E, is a creation of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) and is recognized globally as the benchmark for European data protection certification. It covers a broad spectrum, including pan-European and national data protection laws, essential data protection terminology, and practical concepts related to the safeguarding of personal data and cross-border data flows.

Training Registration


Data Protection & Compliance Training: Kenyan Context


The enforcement of data protection reforms has seen a drastic change in how businesses and organisations are expected to process data, handle data and align their policies appropriately to the laws and regulations in place. Ths Data Protection Compliance training equips you with 'All You Need to Know' on Data Protection, Data Security and Compliance. There is no need for prior knowledge or experience to complete this course. Upon successful completion, one will be awarded with a certificate from the Africa Digital Policy Institute, and the Lawyers Hub. This training will be held in-person at Lawyers Hub offices in Nairobi

Training Registration

]]>Thu, 06 Jun 2024 09:44:15 +0000<![CDATA[Hackathon Organized by Lawyers Hub to Tackle Key Challenges of Motorcycle Taxis (Boda-Bodas) in East Africa]]>https://www.lawyershub.org/news/post/lawyers-hub-holds-a-hackathon-to-address-critical-issues-facing-motorcycle-taxis-boda-bodas-in-eastOn January 19, 2024, Lawyers Hub conducted a Hackathon in-person, aimed at addressing the pressing issues that Motorcycle Taxis (Boda-Bodas) in East Africa are facing. This Hackathon is a part of the Boda Boda Law project, an initiative launched by Lawyers Hub last year.]]>

On January 19, 2024, Lawyers Hub conducted a Hackathon in-person, aimed at addressing the pressing issues that Motorcycle Taxis (Boda-Bodas) in East Africa are facing. This Hackathon is a part of the Boda Boda Law project, an initiative launched by Lawyers Hub last year.

The Hackathon saw the participation of various stakeholders, including Lawyers, Tech Developers, and Motorcycle Taxi (Boda-Boda) Riders, all hailing from Nairobi, Kenya. The session was successful in identifying key challenges such as the lack of legal literacy, riders’ safety, insecurity, absence of designated parking spaces for riders, lack of social amenities, police harassment, corruption by law enforcement officers, and the perception of the profession as undignified, among others. The discussions underscored the need for Legal Literacy, proper Licensing, Capacity Building through education and training, assistance in reviewing loan and lease agreements, Insurance solutions on procurement and compensation, and Security Identification of riders. The solutions proposed were comprehensive, designed to address these challenges through various strategies.

The Boda-Boda Law Project exemplifies a progressive approach by harnessing technology to provide education, support, and legal protection. The project’s holistic nature, which includes regulation, compliance, education, and community engagement, positions it as a comprehensive initiative with the goal of formalizing the Boda-Boda sector, ensuring safety, and improving the overall quality of life for the riders.

Download the Report
]]>Wed, 24 Jan 2024 09:10:38 +0000<![CDATA[Lawyers Hub Launches Groundbreaking Boda-Boda Law Project Report]]>https://www.lawyershub.org/news/post/bodabodalawLawyers Hub Launches Groundbreaking Boda-Boda Law Project Report]]>
In response to the pressing issues faced by Boda-Boda (motorcycle taxis) riders, Lawyers Hub has initiated the Boda-Boda Law Project, aiming to provide crucial legal support and empowerment to Boda Boda riders in East Africa. The launch event, held on the 28th of November 2023, unveiled a comprehensive Boda-Boda Law Report, shedding light on the challenges within the sector and proposing meaningful solutions.

Over the past year, Lawyers Hub delved into a Digital Trade project on the role of Boda-Boda riders, revealing the pivotal role played by the riders. The exploration identified a range of challenges, from harassment and digital financial exclusion to illiteracy and financial indebtedness. The newly introduced Boda-Boda Law Project strategically addresses these challenges by focusing on Legal Compliance, Road Safety, Financial, and Digital Literacy. 

Stakeholders represented at the event participated in discussions centered around emerging technologies, understanding the challenges confronted by Boda-Boda riders, legal issues, particularly those related to accidents, and ways to support riders in terms of safety, digital literacy as well as financial literacy and inclusion. 


Linda Bonyo, The Lawyers Hub CEO, emphasized that the Boda-Boda sector represents the future of e-commerce and investing in its development will contribute to a more sustainable Africa. 

The event incorporated a virtual reality experience, allowing participants to virtually ride and directly experience challenges faced by riders on the road and appreciate the pivotal role Boda-Bodas play in daily lives.

The event concluded with the initiation of the second phase of the project, marked by the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) between Lawyers Hub and five Boda-Boda Saccos in Nairobi.

Lawyers Hub, extends an invitation to all stakeholders to join hands in supporting the cause. The comprehensive Boda-Boda Law Report is available for download. Lawyers Hub welcomes inquiries and partnerships for the project via email at wakili@lawyershubafrica.com 

Read the report
As a Pan-African Digital Law and Policy Organisation, we are at the forefront of the intersection between Law and Technology. Sign up for our Newsletter to get the inside scoop on Law & Tech!
]]>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 07:28:00 +0000<![CDATA[Africa Law Tech Festival 2023 Highlights]]>https://www.lawyershub.org/news/post/africa-law-tech-festival-2023-highlightsAnother successful year for the Africa Law Tech Festival]]>

Another Successful Year for The Africa Law Tech Festival

The Africa Law Tech Festival 2023 was held on the 11th and 12th of July, 2023 in Nairobi. The Festival convened 2500 people in-person including 7 Bar Presidents from Francophone Africa, Data Commissioners, Members of parliament from the Digital Affairs committee in Germany ,as well as various African Union Organs, including the AU Commissioners advisor and the AfCFTA Secretariat on inter-continental trade.

The Lawyers Hub has been able to expand the festival through partnerships since receiving initial seed funding from the Omidyar Network in 2019. Partners now include Mozilla, Co-Develop, the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), Open Society, Amnesty International, Safaricom, the McCourt Institute, and Project Liberty. The 2022 edition of the festival, held in Brussels, Paris, and Germany, was made possible through the significant contributions of the French Development Agency, Luminate, and the Global Innovation Gathering.

Visit the festival website
As a Pan-African Digital Law and Policy Organisation, we are at the forefront of the intersection between Law and Technology. Sign up for our Newsletter to get the inside scoop on Law & Tech!
]]>Tue, 01 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0000