Reflecting on the 2024 Sustainability of Open Access to Law Conference, Dar es Salaam
Last month, over 70 legal experts, government officials, and civil society representatives from across Tanzania, Africa, and Europe gathered in Dar es Salaam for the 2024 Sustainability of Open Access to Law Conference. The two-day event was a powerful platform for discussing the critical importance of free and sustainable access to legal information, particularly through TanzLII, Tanzania’s Legal Information Institute.
Driving the Open Access Agenda
Organized by the Judiciary of Tanzania, GIZ's Promotion of the Rule of Law and Judiciary in Africa, AfricanLII, and Laws.Africa, the conference centered on the theme of sustaining open access to law. Tanzanian Chief Justice Hon. Prof. Ibrahim Hamis Juma’s opening address emphasized the transformative impact of digital access to law for Tanzania. Participants discussed how open legal information can empower citizens, bolster transparency, and improve economic development. Attendees also witnessed the GIZ's Promotion of the Rule of Law and Judiciary in Africa programme’s handover to the Judiciary of Tanzania and various Tanzanian government departments of a digitised archive containing over 700,000 pages of Tanzanian government gazettes and case law.
Key Discussions and Takeaways
Throughout the event, speakers and roundtable discussions explored the value of digital legal information, the need for collaboration across government departments, and funding models to ensure the long-term sustainability of platforms like TanzLII. Highlights included:
The Value of Open Legal Data: Open access to legal information fosters transparency, strengthens democracy, and enables informed decision-making for businesses and citizens alike. Digital legal resources are cost-effective and accessible to all, especially marginalized groups.
Government Collaboration: A recurring theme was the need for improved interdepartmental cooperation to manage legal information effectively. Public-private partnerships and development cooperation emerged as vital components for enhancing resource availability and platform sustainability.
Sustainability of Open Legal Information: From exploring various governance models to brainstorming mixed funding approaches—including potential value-add services—there was a strong focus on how to ensure TanzLII’s sustainability. Leveraging technology and pooling resources among members of the Open Law Africa community were central points of the discussion.
Insights from Roundtables
Participants delved into case studies and real-world experiences. The first roundtable addressed modernizing the dissemination of government legal information, while the second focused on creating a sustainability roadmap for TanzLII. Representatives from Kenya, South Africa, the UK, and Tanzania shared practical strategies to improve access and sustainability, including integrating AI in support of reduction of costs and improving efficiency, and developing monetization options for public legal databases.
A Path Forward
The conference culminated in a set of actionable recommendations. Among these were strengthening government and institutional support for TanzLII, investing in digital infrastructure, exploring diverse funding sources, and engaging communities to increase awareness and use of open legal information.
Conclusion
The 2024 conference was a significant milestone in advancing open access to law in Tanzania and across Africa. The discussions and insights shared have laid a strong foundation for enhancing TanzLII’s sustainability and its critical role in the legal and economic sectors of Tanzania. By fostering partnerships, leveraging technology, and ensuring inclusive access to legal information, we can collectively shape a future where open access to law is not only sustained but thrives.
To explore the full conference outcome statement , full conference report, and official photos, visit here.
