In a continent where legal expertise has often been linked to courtrooms and contracts, a new wave of professionals is emerging: lawyers who are using their legal knowledge to transform the tech landscape in Africa. These individuals, equipped with law degrees and an entrepreneurial mindset, are establishing and leading startups that address significant challenges and foster innovation across various sectors. From cybersecurity and healthcare to fintech and fundraising, these lawyers-turned-entrepreneurs are demonstrating that legal expertise can serve as a powerful driver for change in the digital era. Their initiatives are not only redefining industries but also playing a vital role in Africa’s economic growth and development, highlighting that the convergence of law and technology is a rich source of innovation and advancement. Here is a closer look at some of the key lawyers who are reshaping the tech landscape in Africa.
Youssef A. Mohamed — Buguard (Egypt)
Youssef A. Mohamed, who graduated from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law in 2021, is the co-founder of Buguard, a cybersecurity startup based in Egypt. Since its founding in 2021, Buguard has specialized in offensive security services, including penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and threat intelligence. The company has garnered attention with a $500,000 Seed funding round led by A15 and other angel investors in 2023.
Buguard’s client base includes major Egyptian businesses such as Paymob and Fawry, and the company has extended its services globally to markets including the United States and Japan. The recent launch of Buguard’s Dark Atlas, a SaaS product for dark web monitoring and account takeover prevention, underscores its growing influence in the cybersecurity space.
Marvin H. Coleby — Raise (Kenya)
Marvin H. Coleby, a law graduate from McGill University in 2015, is the co-founder of Raise, a Kenyan platform that streamlines fundraising and equity management for startups. Established in 2018, Raise simplifies the complex processes of managing electronic cap tables, automating financing contracts, and distributing equity through an integrated platform.
The platform has attracted significant investment, highlighting its value in the African startup ecosystem. Marvin’s legal expertise is instrumental in ensuring that Raise’s operations are compliant with regulatory requirements, facilitating smoother financial and legal transactions for its users.
Zikho Pali — Quro Medical (South Africa)
Zikho Pali, who holds a law degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and a master’s degree from Harvard Law School, co-founded Quro Medical in 2018. The South African startup offers Hospital-at-home services, providing personalized medical care outside traditional hospital settings.
In 2023, Quro Medical secured $1.3 million in funding from the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC) through its Khulisani Ventures initiative. Zikho’s legal background plays a key role in navigating the regulatory complexities of the healthcare sector, supporting Quro Medical’s mission to innovate healthcare delivery in South Africa.
Ahmed El Sherbiny — Agel (Egypt)
Ahmed El Sherbiny, who earned his law degrees from Ain Shams University, co-founded Agel in 2021. Agel is a fintech startup that provides alternative financing solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Egypt through its mobile app, which facilitates credit-based transactions.
The startup has successfully attracted investment from prominent venture capital firms and angel investors. Ahmed’s legal knowledge is crucial in addressing the regulatory challenges faced by fintech companies, ensuring that Agel’s financial products are compliant and secure.
Michael Maina — Lipa Later (Kenya)
Michael Maina, a law graduate from the University of Nairobi, co-founded Lipa Later in 2018. The Kenyan fintech company offers a consumer credit platform that enables customers to make purchases on credit. In 2023, Lipa Later secured KES 500 million ($5 million) in debt funding to support its expansion across Africa. The funding followed its previous pre-Series A round in 2022 in which it raised $12 million.
Michael’s legal expertise helps in structuring the credit agreements and financial products that underpin Lipa Later’s operations, ensuring compliance with financial regulations and contributing to the company’s growth.
Dimeji Sofowora — Helium Health (Nigeria)
Dimeji Sofowora, a graduate of the University of Leeds (2013) and Queen Mary University of London, co-founded Helium Health in 2016. The Nigerian healthtech startup provides digital tools and data partnerships to healthcare providers across Africa, enhancing the efficiency and quality of healthcare services.
Helium Health recently raised $30 million in Series B funding, led by AXA IM Alts and supported by global investors. The company also raised a $10 million Series A round in 2020. Dimeji’s legal background is vital for navigating the complex regulatory landscape of healthtech, facilitating the company’s expansion into new markets.
Tola Onayemi — Norebase (Nigeria)
Tola Onayemi, who graduated from the University of Lagos in 2014 and earned a master’s degree in law from the University of Cambridge, is the founder of Norebase. The tech company, established to help African businesses scale across multiple markets, secured $1 million in seed funding in May 2022. This round was co-led by Samurai Incubate and Consonance Investment, with participation from a range of investors including Sahil Lavingia and Kinfolk VC.
Norebase’s platform provides essential tools for businesses looking to expand across borders, leveraging Tola’s legal expertise to address the regulatory challenges associated with international business expansion.
Eunice Olopade — Sidebrief (Nigeria)
Eunice Olopade, who graduated from the University of Lagos and Georgetown University Law Center, is the founder of Sidebrief, a fintech startup launched in late 2021. Sidebrief offers a digital infrastructure for entrepreneurs, enabling them to start and manage their businesses from anywhere.
The startup recently secured pre-seed funding from Techstars Accelerator. Eunice’s legal training supports the development of Sidebrief’s platform, ensuring that it meets regulatory requirements and provides a secure and efficient service for entrepreneurs.
The Bottom Line
The intersection of law and technology is becoming a vibrant area for innovation in Africa. The efforts of these legal professionals highlight the crucial role that legal expertise plays in navigating regulatory challenges and promoting business growth. These tech initiatives led by lawyers cover a wide array of industries, including cybersecurity, fintech, healthcare, and digital infrastructure, each addressing important needs within the market in Africa.
As more lawyers venture into the tech industry in Africa, their successes underscore the critical role of legal expertise in shaping tech-focused business models. This trend is expected to grow, encouraging even more legal professionals to bring their knowledge to the tech sector.
