Institutional leadership serving justice and the rule of law in Africa.
JIA-CERJA is led by senior justice and governance professionals who oversee program direction, administrative coordination, and financial management.
President & Senior Strategic Advisor
Dr. François K. Sobo
“Justice is the foundation of every credible institution. Strengthening it in Africa is a long-term institutional commitment - strategic, contextual and deeply human.”
- Dr. François K. Sobo
A senior expert in judicial reform and rule of law in Africa.
Dr. François K. Sobo brings more than two decades of expertise in judicial reform, rule of law, criminal justice and human rights, with sustained engagement in African field contexts and within international institutions, including the United Nations.
His vision for JIA-CERJA is to provide African states and institutional partners with a credible, multidisciplinary and field-anchored platform for judicial reform - connecting strategic advisory, applied research and capacity building.
Academic background and areas of specialization
- -Doctorate in private law and criminal sciences
- -Former law teacher-researcher
- -Specialization in criminal justice (national and international)
- -Combating impunity and transitional justice
- -Access to justice and human rights
- -Support to penitentiary administration
- -Continuous engagement with international organizations working in rule-of-law support and institutional capacity building
International experience
- -Senior advisory roles with international organizations, including United Nations missions
- -Engagement with regional and international bodies working in rule-of-law support, combating impunity, and protecting human rights
Field missions
- -Strategic missions in the Great Lakes Region, West and Central Africa
- -Coordinator of multinational cooperation programs supporting the justice sector
- -Research and interventions in fragile and post-conflict contexts
Co-Founder & Program Director
Dr. Armand Koussougbo
“A modern, effective, and accessible justice system is the vital foundation for investment security, good governance, and economic growth on the African continent.”
Dr. Armand Koussougbo - Co-Founder and Program Director of JIA-CERJA
Expert in business law, corporate governance, and legal security for investments.
Dr. Armand Koussougbo is an Attorney-at-Law and academic with over fifteen years of experience in higher education, legal research, and corporate consulting in France. His dual academic and practical background enables him to master contemporary legal challenges from both a doctrinal standpoint and operational execution.
At JIA-CERJA, he channels this dual expertise into economic governance, the promotion of institutional reforms, and the strengthening of legal frameworks essential for economic growth, market attractiveness, and sustainable development across the African continent.
Academic background
- -Ph.D. in Private Law and Criminal Sciences (University of Poitiers, Summa Cum Laude)
- -Certificate of Qualification for the Profession of Lawyer (CAPA), admitted to the Angers Bar since 2016
- -Former Lecturer and Research Fellow at the Universities of Poitiers, Orléans, Le Mans, and Paris-Nanterre
Professional experience
- -Business Law Attorney at ORATIO Avocats since 2016
- -Advising corporations on governance, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate restructuring
- -Author of several specialized publications in insurance law and business law
Engagements & Reforms
- -Strategic oversight of JIA-CERJA’s economic governance programs
- -Promotion of legal reforms enhancing economic attractiveness in Africa
- -Capacity building for public and private actors on investment security
- -Contribution to doctrinal reflection on the evolution of economic regulation mechanisms
Areas of specialization
- -Business, corporate, and commercial law
- -Corporate governance and legal risk management
- -Insurance law and business litigation
- -Mergers & acquisitions and corporate restructuring
- -Legal security for investments
- -Modernization of legal frameworks and economic regulation
The institutional governance of JIA-CERJA.
A board of directors oversees institutional governance, administrative coordination, and financial management at JIA-CERJA.
It is distinct from the senior expert pool, mobilized on field missions and research programs as needed.
Continue exploring JIA-CERJA.
- Our Expertise
Ten intervention areas - from judicial reform to research.
- Programs · Research · News
Field interventions, publications and institutional updates.
- Partners
Institutional partners and collaboration areas.
- About JIA-CERJA
Identity, mission, vision, values and approach.
- Support Us
Strategic support and partnership pathways.
- Contact
Open a strategic dialogue or partnership request.
Senior practitioner, researcher or expert in justice and governance?
We welcome professionals with field experience and academic credibility willing to contribute to JIA-CERJA missions and research programs across Africa.