This February, The Center for Law and Innovation team attended the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025, held from February 24th to 26th at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali.

On February 20, 2025, the Center for Law and Innovation at Certa Foundation published a policy brief outlining the outcomes of the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, held in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2024. This document highlights the challenges, opportunities, and policy directions necessary for shaping AI governance and capacity-building efforts across the continent.

The Africa Tech Summit 2025 took place on February 12th and 13th at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together over 1,600 tech leaders from more than 65 countries. The event convened key players, including tech corporates, mobile operators, fintechs, DeFi and crypto ventures, investors, leading startups, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.

This month, our startup residency incubator welcomed a new cohort of 10 resident startups. As part of our commitment to providing customised legal support, our team conducted pre-residency audits to assess each company's legal standing, identify potential risks and understand their specific needs.

On February 26-27, 2025, the Certa Foundation, in partnership with Advocates for International Development (A4ID) and the UK aid, hosted a groundbreaking training program under the theme "International Pro Bono Ethics and Professional Values for Law Students." The event, held in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together law students, legal practitioners, and experts to explore the critical role of pro bono work in advancing access to justice and fostering ethical legal practice. The two-day training was designed to introduce law students to the fundamentals of pro bono legal work, emphasizing its ethical dimensions and the responsibilities of pro bono lawyers. The program aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in the field of pro bono services, while also inspiring them to pursue careers focused on social justice and public interest law.

Certa Foundation has successfully concluded the 3rd Judicial Clerkship Training Program cohort, marking another milestone in our mission to equip the next generation of legal professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to excel. Over 10 intensive days, 30 dedicated students immersed themselves in a dynamic and rigorous training experience designed to bridge the gap between legal theory and practical application.

On 29th January 2025, our Director, Ridwan Oloyede, attended the Kenya AI Statement of Principles Workshop in Nairobi, a pivotal event shaping the future of artificial intelligence governance in Africa. The workshop, themed "AI in Africa," brought together policymakers, international partners, and industry leaders to discuss Kenya’s AI strategy, statement of principles, and data governance framework. The Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Ed Barnett, emphasized the need for responsible AI governance, highlighting the UK-Kenya AI partnership. At the same time, French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, H.E. Arnaud Suquet, praised Kenya’s dynamic tech ecosystem and its role in driving AI for social good.

Our Director, Ridwan Oloyede, recently attended side events at the AI Action Summit in Paris, engaging with global leaders, policymakers, and experts on the future of AI governance. These discussions highlighted the urgent need for balanced policies that foster innovation while ensuring AI safety and accountability.

The Center for Law and Innovation is proud to have contributed to the first-ever International AI Safety Report, a landmark initiative backed by 30 countries, the OECD, the UN, and the EU. This comprehensive report summarizes the state of the science on AI capabilities, risks, and mitigation strategies, offering policymakers an evidence-based, balanced perspective on AI governance.

As part of our commitment to capacity building under the Professional Development Program, the Center for Law and Innovation (CLI) at Certa Foundation launched the second edition of the National Negotiation Competition. This initiative gives law students across Rwanda a platform to develop practical negotiation skills and reinforces the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in legal practice.

This policy brief provides a comprehensive analysis of the key challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for AI governance and capacity building in Africa. It is a product of the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting convened in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2024, which brought together leading experts and stakeholders from across the continent to discuss the critical issues surrounding AI in Africa.

On November 29th, 2024, the Center for Justice and Advocacy at Certa Foundation, in collaboration with The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation, hosted a transformative awareness campaign at Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology.

On November 27, 2024, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy, in partnership with Kvinna till Kvinna, held a dynamic and engaging session at IPRC: TSS Kicukiro as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

On November 26, 2024, in partnership with Kvinna till Kvinna and in collaboration with the Executive of Nyabihanga Sector, Rwamagana District, Center for Justice and Advocacy, on behalf of Certa Foundation, represented by its pro bono lawyer, Me. Harerimana Euphrasieh, visited 67 teen and single mothers in the sector.

On November 19, 2024, Certa Foundation, in partnership with Kvinna till Kvinna, hosted a key stakeholder meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, focused on “The Role and Risk of Technology in Combating and Facilitating GBV.”