Rwanda: Transforming the justice system through Artificial Intelligence
As the world rapidly transitions toward knowledge- and technology-driven economies, Rwanda is embracing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors. The justice sector—an essential pillar of good governance—is now receiving special attention as the country seeks to modernize its judicial services through the use of AI.
A new step towards reform
In a statement delivered in March 2025, Théophile Mbonera, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, revealed that Rwanda is in the process of introducing AI-powered systems to support justice service delivery. He explained that certain minor cases and offences could be reviewed and resolved through digital systems, enabling faster and more reliable decision-making.
“We’ve identified key justice services that can be delivered using AI. There are cases that involve minimal issues which, when properly entered into the system, can be processed with decisions rendered based on those key facts,” he explained.
This technological approach promises to significantly reduce case backlogs, improve the quality of judicial decisions, and enhance access to fast and impartial justice services for all citizens.
A legal tech innovation rooted in Rwandan law
As part of this transformation, Mariam Muganga, through her company IST Legal, launched a technology platform that uses AI in the legal and justice sector. She is among the few Rwandan innovators who have combined artificial intelligence with the country’s legal framework to assist users in accessing justice-related information and producing legal documents quickly and efficiently.
IST Legal supports a wide range of users, including lawyers, judges, prosecutors, private sector actors, and ordinary citizens seeking legal guidance. The platform operates in three languages—Kinyarwanda, English, and French—enabling it to reach a broad audience, both within Rwanda and among international partners.
“Our platform uses AI to provide diverse legal information, including general legal knowledge, precedents, contract drafting, job letters, and facilitating legal mediation between different parties,” Muganga explained.
She also emphasized her intention to closely collaborate with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and the Ministry of Justice to ensure the project’s effective and practical implementation.
Operationalizing AI in justice delivery
To fully embed AI in the justice system, collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, and research entities is crucial in developing citizen-centered solutions. During a visit to IST Legal, Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire praised the platform’s role in enhancing productivity and improving justice system efficiency through AI.
“It is impressive to see how AI is being applied to improve performance and streamline operations within various arms of the justice sector,” she noted, adding that MINICT is committed to supporting such innovations to help them reach a global scale.
A Vision for sustainable justice
The Rwandan government’s broader vision promotes the use of technology across all sectors—including the pursuit of fast, equitable, and inclusive justice. The application of AI in this domain reinforces the Smart Rwanda Master Plan, which aims to improve citizens’ livelihoods through cutting-edge digital transformation.
With IST Legal now fully operational and capable of integrating with Rwanda’s existing Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), this is a pivotal moment for anyone involved in legal matters to consider leveraging this AI-driven innovation for timely and reliable solutions.
