West Africa’s largest law-tech event to promote inclusivity, innovation: Video
The legal-technology community in Africa is set to converge in Ghana’s capital, Accra, for the largest law-tech event in West Africa.
Scheduled for November 28, 2024, the Accra Law Tech Hangout will bring together legal professionals, technologists, and innovators to discuss the evolving role of technology in the legal field.
The event, hosted by LegalTechLounge, a Ghanaian non-profit organisation, led by Michel Nkansah, debuted in 2023 and further aims to explore the intersection of law and technology while fostering inclusivity and collaboration among participants.
Women at the forefront
Ratidzo Murwisi, Botswana’s first legal technologist and a leading legal tech consultant, emphasised the importance of community in the burgeoning field of legal technology.
She highlighted the importance of such gatherings in fostering a sense of community within the legal tech industry in Africa.
Speaking to Global South World, Murwisi noted that legal technology offers opportunities for collaboration and professional growth, particularly for women.
"The legal tech community globally thrives on connections and support. For Africa, where legal tech is still emerging, events like this provide a unique platform for professionals to meet, network, and collaborate,” she said.
Murwisi also highlighted the leadership role women are playing in Africa’s legal tech movement.
“The trailblazers in this field across the continent are predominantly women. This event provides a critical opportunity for women in Ghana and West Africa to find inspiration and resources to advance in this space.”
Nine out of the 15 speakers are women who play distinctive roles in the legal-tech industry in Africa.
Breaking Tradition
Murwisi pointed out that legal tech offers a break from traditional structures within the legal profession, often described as an “old boys' club.” She believes this appeal has drawn younger professionals, particularly women, into the field.
“Legal tech allows individuals to chart their own paths and work smarter, not harder. It’s a space where innovation thrives, and for young women, it’s an alternative to the conventional struggles of traditional legal practice.”
The Accra Law Tech Hangout is part of LegalTechLounge’s mission to integrate technology into Africa’s legal systems. The organisation’s annual flagship event is expected to be held in different countries with the hope of creating a pan-African network of legal tech enthusiasts.
