Koome Supports Africa’s Drive to Shape AI Governance and Justice Systems

Chief Justice Martha Koome has joined a growing movement across Africa to lead the development of homegrown approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) governance and legal reform that uplift and protect citizens. 

Speaking at the 4th Africa Soft Power Summit in Nairobi on May 23, Koome—alongside Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo and other leaders—emphasized the importance of transforming justice systems. She noted that Kenya’s judiciary is shifting from being confrontational to more mediation-focused, signaling a cultural shift toward more inclusive and empowering legal processes. 

“We are becoming spaces that empower justice,” Koome said, stressing the need for legal systems rooted in fairness, equity, and public trust. She highlighted the critical role African courts must play in defending digital rights and safeguarding the public interest in an age of rapid technological change. 

“Our mission is to support Africa’s progress by upholding the rule of law through impartial and ethical judicial systems,” she added. 

Millie Odhiambo called on male leaders to mentor and support women, arguing that gender equity must be treated as a strategic priority rather than just goodwill. “Equity demands shared effort,” she said. 

Held from May 22–23, the summit convened influential figures from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and beyond to explore leadership, technology, and investment challenges. 

Dr. Nkiru Balonwu, founder of the Africa Soft Power Group, emphasized that inclusion must be seen as a serious investment in Africa’s development—not just a symbolic gesture. The event opened with the Remarkable Africa Women Leadership Conference, themed Sustaining Momentum: Leading Transformations When Inclusion Isn’t Trending. 

Speakers stressed the vital role of African women—who make up the largest voting group on the continent—in driving meaningful change at the community level. 

Edwin Macharia, co-founder of Axum.Earth and Mozilla board member, criticized foreign dominance in African startup funding. He urged for “economic nationalism” through local investments that build intercontinental wealth and position Africa competitively in the global market. 

Other experts raised concerns that without proper regulation, Africa could become a testing ground for unregulated biotech and AI. Policy advocate Dr. Saitina called for the development of locally tailored frameworks to distinguish genuine AI innovations from exaggerated claims. 

Philip Ikeazor, Director General of Financial System Stability at Nigeria’s Central Bank, said that AI needs to be paired with robust policies—especially in areas like anti-money laundering and fraud prevention—where strong safeguards are essential. 

Infrastructure continued to be a major challenge, with representatives from MasterCard Foundation, Caretel Africa, and the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System highlighting how unreliable power supply and weak cybersecurity measures are increasing operational costs and hindering financial inclusion.

Bernard M. Kinara, General Manager at Interswitch Kenya, noted that AI technologies such as natural language programming could enhance accessibility for women and local language speakers. However, he cautioned that these tools, if not properly regulated, may reinforce existing biases.

During the summit’s AI governance panel, experts emphasized the need to boost digital literacy among both government officials and the general public. They advocated for education initiatives tailored to practical uses of AI in sectors like agriculture, the creative industry, and public service.