E-justice (also known as electronic justice) is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) to modernise, streamline, and increase access to judicial systems. It gives brisk, seamless, and more transparent judicial proceedings, including e-filing of documents, video conferencing for hearings, and online access to legal databases.
E-justice is now the streamlined but depersonalised new standard for legal systems African countries are adopting right now. The system is ideal because people no longer have to rely on traditional paper-based or in-person processes; the justice system now works online so citizens, lawyers, and courts can interact through dedicated digital platforms.
In January 2025, Côte d’Ivoire adopted the system and launched its "e-Justice platform" as part of its national digital transformation strategy to modernise public administration, improve access to government services, and enhance efficiency. The platform allows citizens to apply online for nationality certificates, access criminal record services, and complete legal procedures online.
The e-Justice platform introduces several digital features to improve efficiency. Now, applicants applying for nationality certificates will receive a unique identification number and a tracking system to track application status in real time.
In addition to that, Eligible individuals (like citizens, lawyers, or law firm) can also submit online applications to retrieve legal documents, like accessing the criminal records, from courts' databases.
In April 2026, Côte d’Ivoire expanded the e-Justice platform, increasing the number of connected courts to 28 jurisdictions nationwide. Now, courts including Bingerville, Séguéla, Touba, Abengourou, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Odienné, Bouaflé, M'Bahiakro, Bouna, Toumodi, Daloa, Dimbokro, and Man, as well as court sections in Katiola and Boundiali, have been brought onto the platform.
The platform's expansion followed an official rollout launched at the Bingerville Court of First Instance, attended by the Minister of Justice and Human Rights Jean Sansan Kambilé, judicial officials, and development partners. The major purpose of the expansion is to ensure that uniform service quality is accessed across all courts, especially outside major cities, and to reduce administrative errors.
Côte d’Ivoire's e-Justice platform uses a visible electronic seal to secure documents, and authentication is done through the VERIF application, managed by the National Office of Civil Status and Identification (ONECI). To support effective implementation of the system, the Ministry of Justice is providing digital equipment to courts.
The justice minister, Kambilé, emphasised that "justice should be accessible, efficient, and transparent" regardless of location. According to the UN e-Government Index, Côte d’Ivoire ranks 124th out of 193, with a score of 0.5587, showing progress in the country's national digital transformation strategy that is aimed at improving public service efficiency.
The government is also working toward gradual nationwide coverage of all jurisdictions, full digitisation (dematerialisation) of judicial procedures and documents, and standardisation of digital infrastructure across courts.
Across Africa, the adoption of e-justice systems represents a shift toward more citizen-focused governance. It can help eliminate long queues, missing files, and opaque processes, which are often major barriers to accessing justice in legal settings. E-justice will allow people to interact with courts more easily and enable justice to be delivered more effectively. This kind of access can strengthen public trust in institutions—something many justice systems across the continent have struggled with.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya adopted an e-justice system, and the East African country has one of the most advanced systems in Africa, using e-filing, virtual courts, and online case tracking. Rwanda operates a fully integrated digital justice system that's coordinated between police, courts, and prosecutors.
South Africa is using electronic case management and virtual hearings, and the country's government is gradually expanding its digital court services. Nigeria, another West African nation, has also introduced e-filing systems and virtual court sittings but not in all states. Ghana has implemented an e-Justice Project that features digital case tracking, e-filing, and court automation.
Like South Africa, Uganda is another East African country that uses electronic court case management systems to facilitate virtual hearings and maintain digital records. Morocco, a North African and Arab country, uses advanced digital court services, including online filings and remote hearings, while Egypt, also a North African and Arab country, is developing digital courts and automating legal processes.
