African judicial leaders have backed an Egyptian proposal to develop continent-wide guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence in courts, in a move that could shape how judges, lawyers and court administrators use AI across the continent.

The proposal was made by Counselor Adel Maged, Vice-President of Egypt’s Court of Cassation, during the inaugural African Judicial Dialogue on Internet Governance at the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum in Accra, Ghana. 

The development comes as African judiciaries increasingly confront questions over how AI should be used in legal research, case management, transcription, translation and evidence handling without undermining judicial independence, due process or data protection.

Maged proposed the development of guidelines to govern the use of AI in African courts. Judges participating in the dialogue supported the proposal, although the report does not identify the institution that will draft the guidelines or say whether they will be binding. 

The judicial dialogue brought together High Court judges from across Africa to discuss digital sovereignty, institutional accountability, children’s rights and the implications of AI and emerging technologies for the administration of justice. It was also expected to examine the implications of technological change for fundamental rights and the rule of law, and to identify priorities for judicial capacity development and regional cooperation. 

Maged also raised concerns about sensitive digital data held by courts. He said courts need to know where such data is stored and who can access it. 

The concern is significant because courts handle case files, evidence, witness information, personal identifiers and, in some cases, biometric data. Any AI system used in judicial work would need clear rules on data storage, access, retention, cross-border transfer and security.

The proposal builds on earlier work by UNESCO and African judicial institutions.

In March 2026, UNESCO and the African Network of Judicial Trainers held a regional workshop in Maputo on AI, justice and human rights. The workshop brought together judicial trainers to discuss AI’s role in justice systems and the safeguards needed to protect human rights.

In September 2026, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and UNESCO held a four-day dialogue on AI, human rights and the rule of law. The discussions covered algorithmic bias, opacity, privacy, judicial independence, human oversight and manipulated evidence.

UNESCO has also developed a Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law to help judicial systems use AI while protecting justice and civic freedoms.

AI is already entering court systems through transcription, translation, legal research, document review and case management. But its use raises questions about accuracy, bias, accountability and the right to a human judge.

In South Africa, a judge recently examined the use of AI in judicial decision-making, highlighting concerns about how courts should handle AI-assisted analysis.

In Nigeria, the Chief Justice, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said technology can support justice but cannot replace judges’ duty to decide cases.

The proposed guidelines could provide a common African framework for addressing these issues, but their practical effect will depend on whether they are adopted, funded and enforced.