Lobito, Angola | October, 2025 – The Africa Prosecutors’ Association (APA) convened its 18th Annual General Meeting and Conference in the coastal city of Lobito, Benguela Province, Republic of Angola, from 15th to 17th October 2025, under the timely and forward-looking theme “Digital Justice and Technological Innovation in Africa: Emerging Technologies at the Service of Justice.”
Hosted by the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic of Angola, the high-level gathering brought together Attorneys General, Directors of Public Prosecutions, senior prosecutors, and justice sector leaders from across the continent to deliberate on the transformative potential of digital technologies in the administration of justice.
Zambia was proudly represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri, S.C., accompanied by Ms. Makumba Gwendolyn Kashishi, Principal State Advocate, and Mr. Kayoka Sifali, Senior State Advocate, all from the National Prosecution Authority (NPA).
Preceding the conference was an in-person Executive Committee Meeting of the APA, where crucial matters were discussed. Zambia, serving as the Treasurer General of the Association, sits among the 12-member Executive Committee steering the strategic direction of the organisation.
The conference provided an essential platform for member states to exchange best practices, share innovations, and explore ways to harness digital transformation in strengthening prosecutorial services. Key discussions centred on the integration of artificial intelligence, digital forensics, and data-driven decision-making systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability within justice institutions.
The deliberations culminated in the Benguela Declaration, which indorsed the collective commitment of African prosecutors to foster regional cooperation, build capacity, and promote the ethical use of technology in prosecutorial work. Delegates emphasised the importance of harmonising digital justice frameworks across jurisdictions to enable effective information sharing and mutual legal assistance. In a strong collective statement, the Africa Prosecutors’ Association called upon member states to align with international instruments governing information and communication technologies, including conventions that address cybercrime and the misuse of digital platforms, such as the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime.
Beyond the formal proceedings, the Zambian delegation, together with other participants, undertook a guided tour of the Port of Lobito and received a detailed briefing on the operations of the Benguela Railway at its offices. The Benguela Railway, one of Africa’s most strategic transport and trade corridors, links Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia, forming the core of the Lobito Corridor initiative.
The visit offered delegates a rare opportunity to witness, firsthand, the region’s commitment to enhancing cross-border connectivity and advancing infrastructure-driven integration. These developments mirror, in many ways, the digital transformation underway within the justice sector, both aimed at bridging divides, fostering cooperation, and driving sustainable development across the African continent.
As the curtains closed on the 2025 conference, the APA endorsed its vision of a modern, technology-driven prosecutorial landscape, one that upholds the rule of law, strengthens accountability, and ensures that justice in Africa remains both accessible and future-ready.