Welcome to MalamuLaw
Malamulo aku Afrika
Laws of Africa
We are a non-profit, registered association dedicated to advancing the understanding and development of African Legal Studies. Based in Bayreuth, our association brings together scholars, legal professionals, students, and policymakers to create a global dialogue on African Legal Studies.
Our focus is on fostering interdisciplinary research in public international law, human rights, international environmental law, and socio-legal studies, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the development of effective, just, and sustainable legal frameworks across the African continent.
We are proud to be a platform for collaboration, supporting a vibrant academic community dedicated to improving legal systems in African countries. Through our various initiatives, we aim to enhance legal education, promote social justice, and provide solutions to contemporary legal challenges in Africa.
Join us as we pave the way for a brighter legal future for Africa and the world.
Our Name
The word "MalamuLaw" is a carefully crafted neologism that captures our identity and mission.
Etymologically, it blends "Malamulo" – the Chichewa word for "laws" spoken widely in Malawi and across southern Africa – with the English word "Law". This linguistic fusion mirrors the association’s core values: its deep-rooted connection to African legal traditions and scholarship, and its engagement with international legal discourses.
By combining elements from African and Western legal vocabularies, the organization showcases its commitment to bridging legal systems, fostering cross-continental dialogue, and promoting justice through an Afrocentric yet globally informed lens.
Our Logo
The MalamuLaw logo reflects the association’s identity through a blend of traditional African design and modern minimalism.
Inspired by African geometric patterns, the design uses bold lines and vibrant colors to express the diversity and complexity of African legal traditions, while the structured composition suggests balance and legal order. The combination of organic and angular elements represents the meeting of customary and formal legal systems.
With its grounding in African aesthetics and its clean, international presentation, the logo visually conveys MalamuLaw’s mission: rooted in African legal traditions, yet engaged in global dialogue.
Our Mission
At MalamuLaw, our mission is clear: to advance knowledge, research, and education in African Legal Studies, with a particular emphasis on public international law, human rights, international environmental law, and socio-legal studies. We strive to:
Foster Collaboration By bridging the gap between legal professionals, scholars, students, and policymakers, we work towards creating impactful solutions for the legal challenges faced by African countries today.
Support Legal Education We are committed to providing resources and opportunities for students, researchers, and legal practitioners, supporting them with scholarships, fellowships, and workshops designed to enrich the understanding of African legal systems and human rights.
Promote Social Justice Our vision includes supporting social justice initiatives, from legal aid programs for marginalized communities to open-access publishing, allowing broader access to critical knowledge in African legal studies.
Publish Knowledge We are creating a publishing house dedicated to producing high-quality scholarly content on African legal issues, including books, journals, and reports. Through this, we aim to provide knowledge that contributes to better legal frameworks across the African continent and the world.
Through these efforts, MalamuLaw aspires to create lasting and meaningful change, helping to shape a future where justice, fairness, and legal empowerment are available to all.
Supporting Future Legal Scholars
At MalamuLaw, we are committed to supporting the next generation of legal scholars and practitioners. Outstanding students and researchers specializing in African legal studies are invited to apply for research positions or internships with the Association. We also offer opportunities for students to participate in academic projects, contribute to the publication of our journals, or assist in organizing our events. Depending on their qualifications, interns and research assistants can engage in various tasks, such as editorial work, event coordination, or research on legal issues affecting Africa.
For more information or to apply, please contact us at malamulaw@gmail.com.
