DAR ES SAALAM: FROM 2nd to 6th February 2026, Tanzania marked Legal Week under the theme, ‘The contribution of the Judiciary to the welfare and development of the Nation.’
As the nation ushers in the 2026 Legal Year, it is clear that technology is no longer a peripheral tool but a central pillar in strengthening justice delivery.
Courts, law firms, regulators, and government legal departments are increasingly adopting digital tools to enhance efficiency, transparency and public trust.
At the heart of this transformation are two critical technologies: Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Across the globe, justice systems are modernising to keep pace with digital economies.
For Tanzania, this evolution is about more than just convenience; it is fundamental to protecting citizens, supporting economic growth and reinforcing the rule of law in an era where transactions, communications and evidence are predominantly electronic.
Digital governance, the use of technology to improve institutional operations and citizen services, is reshaping the legal profession.
This includes the adoption of electronic court filing, digital evidence management, online dispute resolution and secure digital storage.
Tanzania has already made notable strides through e-Government services, digital national IDs, electronic payment systems(GePG) and the expansion of broadband via the National ICT Broadband Backbone (NICTBB). As services move online, the legal sector must evolve in tandem.
For instance, with millions of Tanzanians using mobile money daily and businesses signing electronic contracts, the justice system must be adept at handling digital records and electronic evidence securely and efficiently.
This digital shift, however, brings with it a paramount concern: cybersecurity. It is no longer just an IT issue but a legal, economic and national security imperative.
Legal institutions are custodians of highly sensitive information corporate secrets, financial records, criminal case evidence and personal identity data.
A breach of this data can compromise cases, endanger individuals and erode public trust in the justice system.
Globally, cybercriminals target law firms and legal institutions for this very reason, employing ransomware, email fraud and even AI-generated deep-fakes to manipulate evidence. Tanzania’s growing digital economy makes it equally susceptible to these threats.
While robust cybersecurity measures such as data encryption, secure digital evidence chains and strict access controls are essential, their effectiveness is intrinsically linked to a foundational challenge: equitable access.
As Senior Advocate Mr Aloys Bahebe of Aloys & Advocates notes, the positive impact of these technologies is conditional.
“Cybersecurity is paramount in safeguarding sensitive legal information and maintaining the integrity of the justice system in Tanzania. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the effectiveness of these measures may be compromised by the inaccessibility of the internet in rural areas.
Many legal practitioners and citizens in these regions face significant barriers to reliable internet connectivity, which can hinder their ability to access essential legal resources and participate fully in a digitally transformed legal landscape.
This digital divide not only exacerbates existing inequalities within the legal profession but also raises concerns about the equitable implementation of cybersecurity measures, as those without reliable internet access may remain vulnerable to cyber threats and unable to benefit from the advancements in technology.”
Therefore, advancing cybersecurity must go hand-in-hand with expanding connectivity to ensure that no segment of the legal community or the citizenry is left vulnerable or excluded.
Parallel to cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence is transforming the practice of law. AI is not a replacement for lawyers but a powerful tool that enables them to work faster and more accurately.
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It can expedite legal research by scanning thousands of court decisions, assist in contract review by identifying risk clauses and support fraud detection by flagging suspicious transaction patterns.
Courts can leverage AI for scheduling to reduce backlogs and AI translation tools can bridge the gap between English and Kiswahili in Tanzania’s bilingual legal environment.
However, AI also introduces new challenges, necessitating robust methods to verify digital evidence and detect AI-generated content, alongside clear ethical guidelines for its use.
Tanzania is uniquely positioned to lead this digital justice transformation in Africa. Its rapidly growing digital economy, youthful and adaptable population and national development strategies like Vision 2050, which emphasise digital governance and trust, provide a strong foundation.
This is further supported by national laws such as the Cybercrimes Act, the Personal Data Protection Act and the Electronic Transactions Act, which create a regulatory framework for a secure digital space.
The Judiciary of Tanzania and the Tanzania Law Society have pivotal roles in promoting legal technology training, encouraging cybersecurity certification and developing standards for digital evidence and AI ethics. Practical examples already demonstrate the potential.
In handling the rise of mobile money disputes, AI tools can help identify suspicious patterns, aiding investigators and regulators. In land law, robust cybersecurity protects digital land registries from fraud, safeguarding ownership rights.
In commercial and criminal justice, secure digital systems and forensic tools bolster investor confidence and improve case outcomes.
Sheria Kiganjani Company Limited advances Tanzania’s digital justice initiatives through its mobile app Sheria Kiganjani, web systems, Mini- Apps and IVR technologies, offering instant access to legal documents, online consultations, Q&A from key laws and a lawyer network for low and middle income clients, democratising justice amid rising digital economies, mobile money disputes and e- governance.
One of their key innovations, the WAKILI MSOMI legal AI tool, provides rapid legal research, document drafting and personalised advice in English and Kiswahili, scanning case law and different legal articles to tackle judicial backlogs and bilingual needs.
As Co- founder Mr Mussa Kisena states, “WAKILI MSOMI transforms access to justice by delivering expert insights anytime, anywhere via mobile- ensuring no Tanzanian is left behind in the digital era,” enhancing legal efficiency with ethical AI.
Global best practices remind us that successful digital justice systems are built on security by design, human-centred technology and continuous professional development. Technology must serve to support, not supplant, human judgment.
For the ordinary Tanzanian, this digital transformation promises faster case processing, greater transparency, stronger data protection and simpler access to justice, whether through online filing or tracking case progress via mobile phone.
The 2026 Legal Year serves as a vital moment for reflection. Embracing secure and ethical legal technology, while consciously bridging the digital divide highlighted by advocates like Aloys Bahebe, is fundamental to building a justice system that is faster, safer and more equitable.
The digital justice era is here and the legal profession must lead the way, championing innovation while steadfastly protecting the principles of justice, fairness and accountability for all citizens, regardless of where they live.