Bridging the Gap: Data on Africa’s Legal Innovation
A new report on the state of legal technology in Africa reveals an industry ripe with curiosity and ambition but hampered by significant barriers to widespread adoption. The findings from “The State of Legaltech in Africa 2025,” a collaborative effort between Legaltech Lounge and Legal Tech Latecomers, paint a detailed picture of a sector at a critical juncture, balancing the promise of innovation with the practical realities of the market.
The report, created following the 2024 Accra Lawtech Hangout, Africa’s largest legal tech event, surveyed a wide range of professionals to gauge the awareness, adoption, and impact of technology in the legal field. The results confirm what many have long suspected: while the conversation around legal tech is growing louder, its practical application remains in the early stages.
Awareness High, Adoption Low
One of the report’s most striking findings is the gap between awareness and usage. A majority of respondents (56.8%) confirmed they were aware of legal tech tools, yet only 21.6% are currently using them in their daily work. This suggests that while professionals see the potential, significant hurdles are preventing them from taking the leap.
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Interestingly, the tools that have gained traction are predominantly local. Platforms like Dennis Law, Law Pavilion, and Judy Legal were mentioned more frequently than their international counterparts, underscoring a clear preference for solutions designed with the nuances of African legal systems in mind.
The areas where legal tech is making the biggest difference are primarily internal and administrative. Legal research leads the pack, with 40.3% of users reporting benefits, followed by document drafting (24.2%) and contract review (16.1%). This indicates that the current wave of adoption is focused on improving efficiency for repetitive, time-consuming tasks. The most commonly used tools document management, case management, and practice management software, further reflect this trend toward optimizing internal workflows.
The Barriers to Entry
So, why aren’t more people using these tools? The report identifies a trifecta of obstacles: a lack of training, high costs, and a cultural resistance to change. Many lawyers, while aware of the technology, have never received practical guidance on how to integrate it into their practice. Without proper onboarding, the barrier to entry feels insurmountably high.
Cost remains a significant factor, particularly for the small firms and solo practitioners that constitute a large portion of Africa’s legal market. For them, expensive subscriptions are a non-starter. Furthermore, concerns around data privacy and client confidentiality loom large. In the absence of clear guarantees on data protection that align with local ethics rules, many professionals prefer to stick with trusted manual methods.
When considering new tools, users prioritize ease of use (38.7%) above all else, followed by cost (24.0%) and seamless integration with existing systems (17.3%). The message to developers is clear: solutions must be intuitive, affordable, and complementary to current workflows to succeed.
Building the Future: A Roadmap for a User-Centric Ecosystem
Despite the slow pace of adoption, the benefits for those who have embraced legal tech are undeniable. The report highlights that even limited use is yielding significant returns, offering a compelling case for wider integration.
The most frequently cited advantage is time savings, reported by an overwhelming 42.6% of users. Professionals noted that tasks like research and drafting are completed significantly faster, with one respondent stating their research time had been reduced by “a quarter rate.” Following closely behind were reduced errors (23.5%), enhanced collaboration (16.2%), and improved client service (13.2%). These tangible benefits demonstrate that legal tech is not just a buzzword but a powerful tool for enhancing legal service delivery.
What’s Missing and What Comes Next?
Looking ahead, the report identifies critical gaps and fervent demands within the market. A primary issue is the scarcity of tools built specifically for the continent’s diverse legal frameworks. Imported platforms often fail to account for local court structures, filing requirements, and legal cultures, leading to a clunky user experience.
There is also a pressing need to bridge the disconnect between legal professionals and tech developers. The report argues for a more collaborative “co-creation” model where lawyers are partners in the development process, not just end-users.
The appetite for more advanced technology is immense. Over 90% of respondents expressed a strong interest in AI-powered tools that can brief African case law, automate complex drafting, and even assist in judicial review. There is also a clear demand for cloud-based platforms that facilitate seamless collaboration among teams, clients, and paralegals, especially in an era of remote work.
Recommendations for a Thriving Ecosystem
The report concludes with a set of actionable recommendations tailored to key stakeholders, creating a roadmap for fostering a robust and inclusive legal tech ecosystem.
- For Tech Developers: The directive is to work hand-in-hand with local lawyers. This is especially critical for training AI and Large Language Models (LLMs) to ensure they are accurate, contextually relevant, and free from the “hallucinations” that can be disastrous in a legal context. Practical features like mobile compatibility, low-data usage, and offline functionality should be standard.
- For Law Firms and Professionals: The advice is to start small. By targeting a single pain point such as file management or billing with a well-chosen tool, firms can build confidence and momentum for broader adoption. Professionals are also urged to take an active role in shaping tools that improve access to justice for the wider public.
- For Policymakers and Regulators: The focus should be on simplifying processes, not just digitizing them. There is an urgent need to integrate legal tech into formal education to create a new generation of tech-literate lawyers. Furthermore, regulations on data privacy and AI must be clear and practical, enabling innovation rather than stifling it.
- For Donors and Investors: The call is for sustained backing of African-led startups that are solving real-world, local problems. Investment should extend beyond startups to fund non-profit collaborations, research, and training programs that can scale new ideas and improve access to justice for underserved communities.
Without a doubt, “The State of Legaltech in Africa 2025” is a call to action. It champions a future built on collaboration, user-centric design, and a shared commitment to leveraging technology to deliver better, faster, and more accessible legal services for all.
Join in person for the Big launch of the report at the Accra Lawtech Hangout, where discussions around it would occur. Grab your tickets here
The State of Legaltech in Africa 2025
Navigating Innovation, Adoption, and the Road Ahead
The Awareness Gap
While curiosity in legal technology is high across the continent, a significant gap exists between knowing about the tools and actively using them in daily practice. This highlights a critical challenge for the industry’s growth.
A majority of legal professionals have been exposed to the concept and potential of legal technology.
However, only a fraction of those aware have integrated these tools into their regular workflow.
How is Legal Tech Being Used Today?
Early adopters are primarily leveraging technology to enhance efficiency in core, time-intensive tasks. The focus is on streamlining internal processes rather than client-facing innovation.
Top Areas of Impact
Most Common Tools in Use
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Document Management
17.7%
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Case Management
16.1%
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Practice Management
16.1%
The Adoption Puzzle
Understanding what drives and hinders adoption is key to unlocking the potential of legal tech in Africa. Simplicity and cost are paramount, while a lack of training and cultural inertia remain significant obstacles.
Top 3 Motivators for Adoption
Most Common Barriers
Lack of Training
Professionals feel unequipped to use new tools effectively.
High Cost
Expensive subscriptions are prohibitive for smaller firms.
Resistance to Change
Traditional methods are deeply ingrained in legal culture.
The Tangible Impact of Early Adoption
Despite low overall usage, those who have adopted legal tech are already experiencing significant benefits. This positive impact provides a compelling case for broader integration across the industry.
Percentage of Work Supported by Tech
Over 70% of users have integrated tech into less than half of their workflow, indicating most are still in the early stages of adoption.
Primary Benefits Reported by Users
Time savings is the most significant benefit, freeing up legal professionals to focus on higher-value work.
The Road Ahead
The future of legal tech in Africa will be defined by intelligent, collaborative, and locally-focused solutions. There is a massive appetite for advanced tools that can solve region-specific challenges.
Professionals are eager for AI that can brief African case law, automate complex drafting, and assist with judicial review, alongside better automation and cloud collaboration platforms.
