The East Africa Law Society (EALS) is calling for urgent regional cooperation on artificial intelligence governance, warning that East Africa risks falling behind as AI adoption accelerates across critical sectors.
The position was outlined after the EALS Governing Council retreat held in Diani in January 2026, followed by a council meeting in Zanzibar on May 15.
The meetings brought together presidents of law societies and bar associations from across the East African Community.
AI expert Linda Bonyo facilitated the retreat discussions, which focused on the rapid penetration of artificial intelligence in East Africa and the legal, ethical, and regulatory challenges emerging from its adoption.
Regional Gaps Raise Governance Concerns
EALS noted that AI is already shaping sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, legal services, and public administration across the region. However, the society warned that governance structures remain fragmented.
According to EALS, only Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Ethiopia have fully articulated AI strategies. Tanzania’s framework remains in draft form, while Burundi and South Sudan are yet to establish dedicated AI governance policies.
The lawyers’ body said the absence of harmonised standards on data governance, algorithmic accountability, and regulatory oversight exposes the region to significant legal and ethical vulnerabilities.
EALS is now proposing the development of EAC Model AI Guidelines aimed at creating a unified, rights-based framework for all partner states.
The proposed guidelines would focus on ethical deployment, transparency, and human oversight while also protecting local innovation and ensuring that regional realities are reflected in AI policy development.
Human Rights and Legal Oversight Take Centre Stage
The society also called for mandatory human rights and algorithmic impact assessments for foreign AI service providers operating in East Africa.
It singled out high-risk applications such as predictive policing, judicial analytics, and biometric identification systems, arguing that such technologies require strict legal and ethical review before deployment.
At the same time, EALS pledged to strengthen capacity building among legal professionals through specialised AI training programmes for judges, lawyers, and policymakers.
The organisation also proposed the establishment of AI research and policy hubs to support evidence-based regulation and cross-border cooperation. EALS further signalled its readiness to pursue strategic litigation and advocacy aimed at ensuring the safe and accountable use of artificial intelligence across East Africa.
