About Us | African Centre for Law and Public Interest Technology

Background and Rationale

Born from a gap, built for an opportunity

Mobile money, digital identity systems, artificial intelligence, blockchain and e governance platforms are reshaping African economies and societies at a pace that has outstripped the legal and regulatory frameworks meant to govern them.

That gap creates real risks: unresolved data protection questions, weak consumer and digital rights protections, uneven access to justice, and regulation that struggles to keep pace with innovation. But it also presents an opportunity. Law can be a tool not only for managing risk, but for enabling responsible innovation, protecting the public interest and ensuring the benefits of technology are equitably distributed.

Realising that opportunity requires an institution that combines rigorous legal expertise with a genuine understanding of technology. The African Centre for Law and Public Interest Technology is conceived as that institution.

Team of professionals collaborating in a modern workspace

Our Vision

An Africa where law and technology work together to advance justice, protect rights and drive inclusive development for all.

Our Mission

To research, litigate, advise and convene on the legal and regulatory dimensions of technology in Africa, so that digital transformation is grounded in the rule of law, respects fundamental rights and serves the public interest, particularly for underserved and vulnerable communities.

Our Objectives

What we set out to achieve

Independent research

High quality research on the legal, regulatory and ethical dimensions of emerging technologies, with a specific focus on African contexts and challenges.

Sound policy advice

Advising governments, regulators and public institutions on frameworks that keep pace with technological change while safeguarding rights.

Access to justice

Promoting responsible legal technology, digital justice initiatives and innovations that reduce cost and delay in African justice systems.

Digital rights protection

Protecting privacy, data protection, freedom of expression and consumer rights through legal analysis, advocacy and, where appropriate, public interest litigation.

Capacity building

Training lawyers, judges, regulators, technologists and policymakers on the intersection of law and technology.

Multi stakeholder dialogue

Convening government, industry, civil society and academia to foster shared understanding and coordinated solutions.

Responsible innovation

Working with technology developers and businesses to embed legal and ethical compliance into the design and deployment of new technologies.

Governance

Independent by design

ACLPIT is an independent, non partisan institution governed by a board drawn from law, technology, academia and civil society, with a small core secretariat led by an Executive Director.

The Centre maintains independence from government and commercial interests to preserve the credibility of its research and advocacy, while actively partnering with governments, regulators, technology companies and civil society to achieve shared goals.

IndependentNon PartisanAfrica RootedRights Centred

Who We Serve

Stakeholders across the African legal and technology ecosystem

Governments and regulators

Seeking sound, implementable legal and policy frameworks for emerging technologies.

Judiciaries and justice institutions

Modernising service delivery and improving access to justice.

Technology companies and innovators

Seeking legal clarity and support for responsible product development.

Civil society and communities

Whose rights are affected by digital transformation.

Practitioners, academics and students

Working at the intersection of law and technology.

About the Centre