PILnet is now expanding its work in Sub-Saharan Africa, starting with a focus in West Africa. 

For over 25 years, PILnet has partnered with legal professionals and civil society organizations (CSOs) globally to protect civic space, address global challenges, and work to build just, equitable, and sustainable societies. And now, by engaging with CSOs and legal practitioners in the region, we aim to strengthen existing frameworks, develop sustainable solutions to pressing local issues, and meet the evolving needs of civil society. We are also committed to nurturing a new generation of young lawyers and law students dedicated to public interest lawyering.

How PILnet Works 

  • Empowering Civil Society: We collaborate with CSOs to identify their legal needs and connect them with pro bono lawyers and law firms from our network — at no cost to the organizations. We provide tailored legal assistance that enables CSOs to navigate regulatory frameworks, address operational challenges, and develop advocacy strategies.
  • Strengthening Legal Awareness: Through seminars, training, and practical guides, PILnet equips CSOs with the knowledge they need to navigate complex legal environments and protect their work.
  • Driving Impact in Priority Areas: Our work focuses on protecting civic space, combating climate change, and supporting refugees and displaced persons. These are not just global priorities, they are also urgent local challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Since expanding our work in Africa in 2024, we have advanced our work in the region, specifically by:

  1. Joining the African Alliance for People-Centered Justice: As Founding Members of the Alliance, we aim to extend our legal support to strengthen the operational capacity of Alliance organizations.
  2. Meeting with civil society organizations across the region including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Africa to identify CSO needs and explore potential areas for collaboration.  
  3. Developing a Climate Justice Program for Law Clinics: In collaboration with the Network of University Legal Aid Institutions (NULAI), we are designing a program for university-based law clinics in Nigeria to launch next year. This initiative will enable law students to explore local and global climate justice challenges, document case studies of litigation or advocacy efforts, and gain practical insights into applying legal tools to real-world issues.  
  4. Contributing to Pro Bono Guidelines in Kenya: We have joined the Law Society of Kenya’s working group to draft pro bono guidelines for law firms and lawyers, aimed at promoting structured pro bono engagement in the region.  
  5. Expanding the Global Nonprofit Guide: We are working to develop a guide for civil society organizations in the region to strengthen awareness among CSOs on how different laws and regulations can impact their operations.
  6. Regional Convening: We plan to host a regional event in Africa aimed at bringing together civil society organizations and legal professionals from across the region to introduce our work and explore ways to support their operations more effectively.

Another key component of our work in the region is part of our key strategic priorities; advancing environmental and climate justice. We aim to provide legal assistance to organizations working on environmental and climate justice while also engaging law clinics in climate-related programs to support local and community-based organizations.

As PILnet establishes a stronger presence in Sub-Saharan Africa, we are committed to expanding access to justice by collaborating with a diverse network of local partners, including civil society organizations, pro bono lawyers and law firms, and other stakeholders. In the coming years, we aim to host convenings and roundtables to address shared challenges and emerging trends, and develop resilience strategies. while continuing to broaden our support for civil society organizations across the region.

We invite African civil society organizations to utilize PILnet’s Clearinghouse for legal support, law firms to contribute their pro bono legal services to assist these organizations, and stakeholders to collaborate with us on initiatives that strengthen access to justice and legal infrastructure. For more information, email [email protected]. In case of press inquiries, kindly email [email protected].