The Alliance is an innovative initiative aimed at promoting people-centered approaches to addressing the justice needs of Africa’s diverse and fast-growing population. This new coalition is designed to support governments, civil society, and justice actors across the continent by promoting and advancing people-centered justice, to ensure justice systems are accessible, fair, and responsive to the real needs of individuals and communities.
The African Alliance for People-Centered Justice (AAPCJ) was launched on November 19, 2024 at the Knowledge Platform Annual Conference held in Dakar, Senegal, with leaders from across Africa along with international leaders of the justice sector committed to closing the justice gap in the continent. Its mission is to foster regional cooperation, catalyze funding for local justice initiatives, and strengthen the capacity of justice systems to deliver equitable and accessible solutions for all Africans.
Held alongside the Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), this forum created a unique platform to elevate African experiences, promote collaboration, and strengthen political commitment toward accessible, inclusive, and responsive justice systems.
The panel reinforced the importance of cross-regional collaboration, South-South solidarity, and grassroots innovation in advancing justice for all.
For the first time ever, the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice and the Ibero-American Alliance for Access to Justice came together for an inter-regional dialogue on how a comprehensive and people-centered justice approach not only ensures that justice serves individuals but also reinforces trust in institutions, strengthens social cohesion, and becomes a fundamental pillar for democratic stability.
During Day 2 of the World Congress on Justice with Children, speakers emphasized the importance of addressing systemic barriers to justice in the African continent.
This panel discussion explored best practices, innovations, and lessons learned from Africa in advancing open government and people-centered justice. This was an opportunity for inter-regional learning and identifying actionable strategies to address shared challenges.
On November 19, 2024 at the Knowledge Platform Annual Conference held in Dakar, Senegal, leaders from across Africa, along with international leaders in the justice sector, gathered for the launch of the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice (AAPCJ), an innovative initiative hosted by the Pathfinders for Peaceful, Justice and Inclusive Societies at the Center on International Cooperation at New York University (NYU).
The founding members of AAPCJ have put together a four-year strategic plan to outline the vision, strategic goals, and objectives for the Alliance's initial phase. It also details the governance structure that will guide the Alliance during these first four years. The main three strategic goals are to:
The governance structure of the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice will comprise the following bodies and persons:
| African Center of Excellence for Access to Justice |
| African Institute for International Law (AIIL) |
| AdvocAid, Sierra Leone |
| Community Advice Offices South Africa |
| Defence for Children International, Sierra Leone |
| Duty Solicitor Network Trustees and Management |
| Grassroots Justice Network |
| Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) |
| Human Rights Commission, Zambia |
| Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research |
| Justice Research Institute, Nigeria |
| Kituo cha Sheria |
| Legal and Human Rights Centre, Tanzania |
| Legal Aid Council, Nigeria |
| Legal Aid Services in the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Tanzania |
| Legal Empowerment Fund |
| Legal Resources Centre (LRC) Ghana |
| Law Association of Zambia |
| Malawi Legal Aid Bureau |
| Ministry of Justice, Malawi |
| National Steering Committee on the Implementation of the Alternative Justice Policy (NaSci-AJS), Kenya |
| Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), Nigeria |
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) |
| Office of the Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Sierra Leone |
| One Foundation |
| Pan African Lawyers Union |
| Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies |
| PILnet, Sub-Saharan Africa |
| Public Private Development Centre, Nigeria |
| Praxis Conflict Centre, Uganda |
| Save The Children International, East and Southern Africa Regional Office, Kenya |
| Terre des Hommes |
| United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) |
| University of Lagos, Nigeria |
| Young Justice Leaders |
| Youth and Society, Malawi |