The President of the Mozambique Bar Association (OAM), Carlos Martins, called on Thursday (2) for greater investment in specialised legal training across Southern Africa, arguing that the rapid evolution of the law and technological transformation require lawyers to be increasingly equipped to address challenges related to artificial intelligence, the digital economy, cybersecurity, energy contracts, climate finance and international arbitration.
Martins made the remarks during the opening ceremony of the 25th Annual Conference of the SADC Lawyers’ Association, taking place in Maputo on 2–3 July under the theme “Strengthening the Resilience of the SADC Region in the Agriculture, Energy and Industrial Sectors.”
In his address, Martins said that continuous professional development should become one of the association’s strategic priorities, stressing that legal practice requires constant adaptation to an increasingly complex environment.
“The law evolves every day. Artificial intelligence, mineral markets, the digital economy, cybersecurity, energy contracts, climate finance and international arbitration all require increasingly specialised expertise,” he said.
Against this backdrop, the Bar Association President argued that the SADC Lawyers’ Association should establish itself as a regional centre of excellence for legal capacity building by offering specialised courses, certified training programmes, professional exchanges and advanced qualifications in strategic areas.
“Investing in training is investing in the credibility of the legal profession and in the long-term sustainability of the organisation itself,” he said.
Among the proposals presented, Martins also called for the institutionalisation of quarterly digital events—including webinars, virtual conferences and thematic roundtable discussions—to promote continuous dialogue among legal professionals across the region, facilitate the exchange of best practices and encourage discussion of significant judicial decisions.
“Geographical distance cannot become an obstacle to SADC’s legal integration,” he said.
Martins further proposed the creation of a regional digital platform bringing together lawyers, law firms and legal specialists from across SADC member states. The platform would enable businesses and institutions to identify qualified legal professionals for cross-border transactions while also promoting career opportunities, academic publications and professional training programmes.
“We would be creating a genuine regional legal marketplace, bringing professionals closer together and fostering new business opportunities,” he said.
During his speech, Martins also argued that the SADC Lawyers’ Association should move beyond limiting its activities to an annual conference, advocating instead for a permanently active organisation that remains engaged with its members throughout the year.
“The participation of lawyers and law firms across the region cannot be limited to just two or three conference days each year. We need to build a genuine regional legal community,” he said.
He also called for stronger partnerships with universities, research centres, regulatory authorities, arbitration institutions, business organisations, financial institutions and international partners, enabling the association to establish itself as a regional hub for legal knowledge and to play a more active role in discussions on economic development and African regional integration.
The 25th Annual SADC Conference, organised by the Mozambique Bar Association, brings together judges, lawyers, academics and regional experts to discuss the legal, economic and social challenges facing Southern Africa, with a particular focus on strengthening the rule of law and advancing regional integration.
Text: Felisberto Ruco
