Africa: Corporate/Commercial Law

Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie (UUBO) demonstrates how strategic pro bono legal services can drive meaningful social impact across Nigeria and beyond. Through partnerships with global organizations and focused initiatives spanning healthcare advocacy, corporate governance support, and access to justice, the firm leverages its legal expertise to strengthen institutions and advance sustainable development aligned with UN SDGs.

South Africa's legal landscape is undergoing significant transformation across multiple domains, from direct marketing compliance and government contract validity to artificial intelligence policy development...

On 10 April 2026, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies published the Draft South Africa National Artificial Intelligence Policy (“Draft National AI Policy”).

South Africa's Competition Commission is launching a market inquiry into the franchising sector, examining whether structural barriers prevent historically disadvantaged persons from accessing an industry that contributes...

South Africa's Competition Commission has launched a comprehensive inquiry into the franchise market, examining whether structural features are restricting competition and limiting participation by small and medium enterprises and historically disadvantaged persons. The inquiry will scrutinize franchise financing mechanisms, contractual terms between franchisors and franchisees, and information asymmetries that may disadvantage prospective franchise owners across key sectors including fast food, constructio

Loyens & Loeff has launched its Sustainability Strategy 2025-2027, built around four pillars: Client Centricity, Excellent Employment Practices, Supporting Civil Society and Environmental Responsibility. The firm's latest CSR Report details investments in people development, community engagement through volunteering and pro bono work, and progress toward CSRD compliance as part of its ongoing sustainability journey.

Data protection has evolved from a peripheral compliance issue to a core transaction risk factor in Nigerian M&A. With the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and heightened regulatory enforcement...

The Constitutional Court's decision in BNP Paribas v Competition Commission addresses how South African competition law applies to offshore conduct that affects local markets, examining jurisdictional tests for foreign entities and the evidentiary requirements for proving collusive behavior through informal communications.

South African Competition Law Updates...

Startup financing in Nigeria continues to evolve as the country remains one of Africa's four major startup markets, yet early-stage fundraising presents persistent challenges around valuation, particularly for companies without established revenue or market comparables. This analysis examines how hybrid instruments like SAFEs can address the practical and legal complexities founders face when raising capital before achieving operational maturity.

Nigeria has emerged as a leading destination for private equity and venture capital in Africa, with $3 billion invested across 404 transactions between 2020 and 2024. The newly enacted Investments and Securities Act 2025 introduces comprehensive regulatory oversight for PE and VC funds, bringing enhanced investor protection, stricter compliance requirements, and clearer operational frameworks to this rapidly evolving market.

In Nigeria's dynamic startup ecosystem, founders face a critical decision when raising capital: should they pursue debt financing with its immediate tax benefits through deductible interest expenses, or opt for equity financing that offers long-term investor incentives like capital gains tax exemptions and investment tax credits? This analysis examines how tax implications influence capital structure decisions for Nigerian startups at different growth stages.