Mrs Dushimimana Claudine, Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission (RLRC), joined law commissioners and legal experts from across the region at the 2025 Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association of Law Reform Agencies of Eastern and Southern Africa (ALRAESA). The meeting took place from 20 to 21 November 2025 at the Bingu International Convention Centre, Lilongwe, Malawi.

The conference was held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and Law Reform in Africa: Re-imagining the Role of Law Reform Agencies in the Digital Era.” It brought together key institutions involved in legal development to reflect on how digital transformation, particularly artificial intelligence, is influencing legislative reform on the African continent. Although the Rwanda Law Reform Commission is not yet a formal member of ALRAESA, its participation demonstrated Rwanda’s commitment to regional cooperation, the exchange of expertise and the advancement of modern legislative practice. 

Exploring AI, governance and the future of law reform

Over the course of the discussions, delegates considered the growing impact of artificial intelligence on legal systems, governance and public policy. They reflected on how new technologies may contribute to the modernisation of law-making processes, including the use of data in legislative planning, digital consultations with the public and the potential for AI-assisted drafting and legal analysis. Participants shared experiences and examined how legal institutions can prepare for digital transformation while ensuring that African values, human rights and ethical standards remain central.

The conference aimed to help African law reform agencies to develop responsible and context-sensitive AI governance. Key outputs of the conference include policy recommendations for ethical and inclusive AI regulation, stronger partnerships among law reform bodies and research institutions and new capacity-building initiatives to develop digital skills within legal institutions. Delegates also discussed a proposed roadmap for incorporating AI tools into the daily work of law reform agencies. ALRAESA emphasised the importance of African-led solutions that respond to the continent’s unique social, cultural and economic realities.

The Annual General Meeting and conference provided a valuable opportunity for member agencies and observers, including the RLRC, to exchange knowledge and reflect on comparative experiences in legislative reform. The event reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing regional legal challenges and helped highlight practical approaches to strengthening legal systems across Africa.