Center for Law and Innovation

Last week, the Center for Law and Innovation conducted a two-day training session at Jasiri4Africa for the Dana cohort entrepreneurs and business ventures. Our Executive Director Isobel Acquah, Director Ridwan Oloyede , Program Associate Arnold Kabatsi and Project Lead of the Startup Bluebook Residency Program Doreen Umulisa guided participants through an in-depth analysis of shareholders' agreements, providing insights into ownership structure, governance, and shareholder rights. In addition, we hosted an interactive workshop session on negotiation, where founders practiced techniques to confidently secure beneficial agreements and partnerships for their startups. Huge thank you to Jasiri4Africa for fostering an environment where entrepreneurs can gain the legal and strategic knowledge essential for growth. #CLI #Jasiri4Africa #StartupGovernance

📢Exciting News! Apply for our 6-month Junior & Senior Fellowship Program. Gain mentorship, access to research symposiums & career support. Choose your topic, present findings & boost your career. NOTE: Both Junior and Senior Fellowships are to be conducted on site. Apply by November 29, 2024 to be considered. Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/eYJjWJAb #CLI #fellowship

🌍 ALT Network Summit 2025 🌍 Join us for the African Law and Tech Summit 2025 where we will explore the theme “Building Bridges: Legal Innovations and Technology for a Sustainable Future.” This Pan-African event will bring together experts from law, technology, and sustainability to discuss groundbreaking solutions shaping our shared future. 🗓️ May 13 - 15, 2025 📍Kigali, Rwanda Stay tuned for more details on this exciting opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate. Interested in partnering with us? Connect with us at mail@alt-network.com to explore partnership opportunities and help shape the future of law and technology in Africa! #ALTSummit2025 #BuildingBridges #LawandTech #FutureofLegalInnivation

✨Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting 2024 Recap✨ The Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting 2024, co-hosted by the Center for Law and Innovation within Certa Foundation and the Global Network of Centers, focused on “Innovative Governance and Capacity Building.” Hon. Paula Ingabire opened Day 1 by discussing AI’s impact, regulation, and Rwanda's AI ethics. Amazouz Souhila, who spoke on Day 2, emphasized equity in AI development and the importance of enhancing cross-sector cooperation to ensure responsible and inclusive growth. Key Topics explored 🤖1. Inclusive AI Governance and Global Collaboration – Discussions centered on the need for adaptive regulations and education to address AI’s rapid development. 📈2. Data Management and Commercialization– Panels highlighted Africa’s aspirations in AI, with a focus on data management and commercialization, particularly through indigenous languages. 📊3. Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption– AI’s role in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and its potential to accelerate Africa’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063 were explored, along with challenges like fragmented regulations and infrastructure. The event concluded with calls for stronger collaboration across sectors and public-private partnerships to unlock AI’s full potential for Africa’s growth. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, Global Network of Centers, Microsoft, Meta, GIZ Rwanda, Smart Africa, International Trade Centre, Rwanda ICT Chamber, and The African Leadership University as well as our speakers, panelists, and attendees, for their invaluable support in making this event a success. Together, we are paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative AI landscape in Africa. #CapacityBuilding #InnovativeGovernance #AI

Earlier this year, we were proud to release our comprehensive article, “Overview of Legal Regulatory Healthcare Frameworks in Africa.” This pivotal analysis delves into the legal and regulatory landscapes across 16 African countries, spotlighting the role of digital health technologies in addressing systemic challenges. With insights into regulatory frameworks and strategic recommendations for resilience, the report continues to guide efforts toward building more inclusive and efficient healthcare systems. Explore how the future of healthcare in Africa is being shaped, and revisit the key takeaways from our article: https://lnkd.in/dDJaHxsf #TBT #HealthcareInnovation #AI #DigitalHealth #PolicyInsights

🌍Sustainability Summit 2024 Recap🌱 Reflecting on the incredible Sustainability Summit on Climate Resilience and Preparedness 2024, a powerful two-day event that brought together key leaders, innovators, researchers, and experts to explore actionable solutions for adapting to climate change in Africa and beyond. Held on 24-25 September, the summit highlighted the urgent need for climate adaptation across sectors. 🎤Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Justice of Rwanda, Ministry of Justice, The Republic of Rwanda, set a powerful tone by emphasizing the crucial role of justice in promoting equitable, nature-positive outcomes. His call to ensure climate adaptation addresses risks fairly while advancing resilience resonated with us all. 🌿Rosalind Kainyah MBE challenged us to rethink our approach to ESG not as a cost but as an investment in long-term value. Her insights pushed for a mindset shift, framing sustainability as a strategic growth opportunity rather than a compliance burden. 🌟Key Topics Explored: - 🌱Women as Stewards of the Environment: Exploring the vital role of empowering women and local communities in driving impactful climate action. - ⚖️Legal Liability and Environmental Management: Unveiling strategies for managing environmental risks and promoting sustainability in global supply chains. - ⚡Africa’s Energy Transition: Focusing on nuclear energy as a key component in the continent’s adaptation efforts, ensuring a resilient, low-carbon future. The summit closed with powerful remarks from Rwanda’s Office of the Chief Tourism Officer, highlighting the country's commitment to eco-friendly tourism and sustainable development as key drivers of climate resilience. ✨A heartfelt thank you to our partners Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) PLC, GSMA, Hosted in Africa, Norrsken East Africa, The SMEP Programme, The FlipFlopi Project, and Hackapath who made this summit a resounding success. Your support showcased the power of collaboration in building a sustainable future for Africa. To all our speakers, panelists, and attendees—thank you for your dedication to shaping a more resilient, green future for Africa and the world. 🌍 🚀 Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to drive impactful climate action in the months ahead. #SustainabilitySummit #ClimateResilience #SustainableAfrica

Excited to be part of the Global Network of Centers(NoC) Annual Meeting! More than 50+ research centers focused on the intersection of technology and society are coming together to tackle critical issues like AI governance, digital transformation, and building bridges across disciplines and continents in a time of global uncertainty. We’re proud to announce that Isobel Acquah, Executive Director of Certa Foundation, is representing the Center for Law and Innovation, one of the valued partners of the Network of Centers (NoC) hosted at the Certa Foundation. Learn more about the event here: NoC Annual Meeting 2024: https://lnkd.in/dMaEwfAw #NoCAnnualMeeting2024 #DigitalCrossroads

Last week, our Executive Director at Certa Foundation served as a judge at Jasiri4Africa’s Demo Day 1, evaluating the innovative solutions from cohort 6. Alongside fellow judges Anemone Basabakwinshi and Dennis Mhangami - THE STARTUP COACH, Isobel Acquah assessed value propositions, customer acquisition strategies, regulatory compliance, and operational and market readiness. Congratulations to the entrepreneurs whose ventures demonstrated a new standard of innovation and ambition. A special acknowledgment to Jasiri for continually strengthening an ecosystem that nurtures impactful ventures and drives global competitiveness. #Jasiri4Africa #Innovation

✨ALT Summit 2024 Recap 🌍✨ Reflecting on the incredible African Law and Tech Summit 2024, a powerful 3-day event focused on 'Shaping the Future: Navigating Digital Frontiers'. We explored a wide range of key topics like leveraging AI in access to justice, the role of digital trade, legal-tech automation, and balancing growth and protection. Inspiring speakers like Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, The Republic of Rwanda and Hon. Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT and Innovation, RwandaICT highlighted the critical intersection of AI, problem-solving, creativity, and responsible technology deployment. They emphasized the importance of capacity building and developing essential skills, urging lawyers, the youth, and startups to embrace technology while aligning laws with emerging innovations to shape Africa's future effectively. Breakout sessions delved into regulatory frameworks, AI deployment, and data protection in the era of AfCFTA, with vibrant discussions on the role of tech in sexual health and rights, plus insights on IP concerns and investments. The launch of the 'State of AI Regulation in Africa' report was a key moment, addressing the balance between innovation and ethics. You can find it here We wrapped up with a dynamic Bouqet B2B experience, where startup founders connected with venture capitalists and shared insights on sustainable growth in Africa's tech ecosystem. Grateful to our incredible partners Rwanda ICT Chamber, Tech Hive Advisory, Certa Law, ALP NG & Co, RwandAir Ltd, Hackapath and Npontu Technologies Limited for their unwavering support and partnership. Thank you to all our speakers, moderators, and participants for helping shape the future of law and technology with us. Watch out for exciting news about ALT 2025 coming soon, as we continue the journey of bridging the gap between law and technology for a sustainable future!🌟🌍 #ALT2024 #Innovation #LawAndTech #Africa #Startups

🌍 Day 2 Highlights: Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting 2024 🌍 Day 2 of the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting continued the dialogue on “Innovative Governance and Capacity Building,” with a focus on amplifying African voices through the African Observatory on Responsible AI and fostering collaboration. The AfricanUnion introduced plans for an AI index to drive innovation and guide policy development. Challenges in AI adoption, such as inadequate data management and fragmented regulations, were discussed, but opportunities in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and finance were equally highlighted. Stakeholders explored how AI can accelerate Africa’s progress toward its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2063. On the sidelines of Day 2, we had the honor of welcoming a group of students from Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, who attended the closing plenary, engaging with the discussions on AI’s impact and potential. The meeting closed with a strong call for collaboration across sectors to unlock AI’s full potential. Amazouz Souhila emphasized the importance of equity in AI development and enhancing cooperation among all actors to ensure responsible and inclusive growth. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Partners for their invaluable support, which contributed to the success of this event. Global Network of Centers, Microsoft , Meta , GIZ Rwanda , Smart Africa , International Trade Centre , Rwanda ICT Chamber , The African Leadership University #AfricaAI #InnovativeGovernance #AIforDevelopment #CapacityBuilding