The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has launched a revised tax policy aimed at ensuring mobilization of resources through expanding the tax base, fair taxation, enhancing revenue collection and optimizing tax administration.

Rwanda's digital economy has seen significant expansion in the last ten years, with e-commerce becoming an essential factor in economic change. The nation's digital marketplace has grown considerably, driven by a rise in internet users, which increased by 110 thousand (+2.3% )between January 2023 and January 2024.

In February 2025, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA), conducted an intensive training program for legal professionals as part of the Judicial Clerkship Training Program (JCTP). This initiative aimed to enhance the skills of lawyers, judges, and legal practitioners in handling Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) cases, ensuring justice for survivors through a rights-based approach.

On January 23, 2025, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA), conducted an IECMS training for staff and pro bono lawyers at its headquarters. Led by Me. Bagirishya Vedaste, the session aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to efficiently navigate the updated Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), ensuring improved access to justice and streamlined case management.

On February 12, 2025, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA), in partnership with Equity Group Foundation International, held a financial literacy training for 17 GBV victims with disabilities in Musanze District as part of the Tinyuka Power Up Project, funded by Ministère des Affaires étrangères français.

On February 25, 2025, Certa Foundation, through its Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA), participated in the official launch of community forums in Kirehe District, Mahama Sector under the theme: “Twubake umuryango utekanye; Twite ku buzima bwo mu mutwe; Turwanya ihohoterwa rishingiye ku gitsina” (Building a Safe Family; Prioritizing Mental Health; Combating Gender-Based Violence)

On February 28th, the Café Juridique webinar provided entrepreneurs and investors with expert insights on navigating Rwanda’s business landscape, investment opportunities, and regulatory frameworks. Hosted in collaboration with Innovation Spark, the session explored Rwanda’s startup-friendly ecosystem, which is ranked among the strongest in Africa.

This February, The Center for Law and Innovation team attended the Inclusive FinTech Forum 2025, held from February 24th to 26th at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali.

On February 20, 2025, the Center for Law and Innovation at Certa Foundation published a policy brief outlining the outcomes of the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, held in Kigali, Rwanda, in October 2024. This document highlights the challenges, opportunities, and policy directions necessary for shaping AI governance and capacity-building efforts across the continent.

The Africa Tech Summit 2025 took place on February 12th and 13th at the Sarit Expo Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, bringing together over 1,600 tech leaders from more than 65 countries. The event convened key players, including tech corporates, mobile operators, fintechs, DeFi and crypto ventures, investors, leading startups, regulators, and other industry stakeholders.

This month, our startup residency incubator welcomed a new cohort of 10 resident startups. As part of our commitment to providing customised legal support, our team conducted pre-residency audits to assess each company's legal standing, identify potential risks and understand their specific needs.

On February 26-27, 2025, the Certa Foundation, in partnership with Advocates for International Development (A4ID) and the UK aid, hosted a groundbreaking training program under the theme "International Pro Bono Ethics and Professional Values for Law Students." The event, held in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together law students, legal practitioners, and experts to explore the critical role of pro bono work in advancing access to justice and fostering ethical legal practice. The two-day training was designed to introduce law students to the fundamentals of pro bono legal work, emphasizing its ethical dimensions and the responsibilities of pro bono lawyers. The program aimed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to thrive in the field of pro bono services, while also inspiring them to pursue careers focused on social justice and public interest law.

Certa Foundation has successfully concluded the 3rd Judicial Clerkship Training Program cohort, marking another milestone in our mission to equip the next generation of legal professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to excel. Over 10 intensive days, 30 dedicated students immersed themselves in a dynamic and rigorous training experience designed to bridge the gap between legal theory and practical application.

On 29th January 2025, our Director, Ridwan Oloyede, attended the Kenya AI Statement of Principles Workshop in Nairobi, a pivotal event shaping the future of artificial intelligence governance in Africa. The workshop, themed "AI in Africa," brought together policymakers, international partners, and industry leaders to discuss Kenya’s AI strategy, statement of principles, and data governance framework. The Deputy British High Commissioner to Kenya, Dr. Ed Barnett, emphasized the need for responsible AI governance, highlighting the UK-Kenya AI partnership. At the same time, French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia, H.E. Arnaud Suquet, praised Kenya’s dynamic tech ecosystem and its role in driving AI for social good.

Our Director, Ridwan Oloyede, recently attended side events at the AI Action Summit in Paris, engaging with global leaders, policymakers, and experts on the future of AI governance. These discussions highlighted the urgent need for balanced policies that foster innovation while ensuring AI safety and accountability.