Garvey-Nkrumah Fellowship Training

The Center for Law and Innovation was honored to engage with the 2025 cohort of the Garvey-Nkrumah Fellowship Program, a prestigious leadership and professional development initiative named in tribute to civil rights icons Marcus Garvey and Kwame Nkrumah. The program supports aspiring lawyers of African descent through training in international law, public policy, conflict resolution, and global legal systems. 

This year's cohort consists of 27 Fellows from 18 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and U.S.-based Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The program is led by Professor John Woods, a renowned professor at Howard University School of Law and founder of the Garvey-Nkrumah Development Incubator and Woods Global Dispute Resolution. Professor Woods also serves on the Panel of Arbitrators and Conciliators at the World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), appointed by U.S. President Joe Biden.

As part of their training in Rwanda, Arnold Kabatsi, our Program Associate, facilitated a session on AI governance and regulation. The session introduced fellows to the evolving legal and policy considerations surrounding emerging technologies with a focus on global regulatory trends and the unique challenges African jurisdictions face in crafting effective, context-appropriate legal frameworks.

Fellows engaged in robust discussions on the fragmented state of AI regulation across the continent, noting the need for greater policy coherence and capacity building. . The session explored the critical role of legal professionals in AI governance, whether through legislative drafting, institutional advisory services, or advocacy for responsible and inclusive innovation.

We look forward to welcoming the Garvey-Nkrumah Fellows back to Rwanda in July and to further strengthening this impactful collaboration through continuous knowledge exchange.

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