East Africa 2025
Supported by the Association of Corporate Counsel
Senior Legal Manager, Africa Operation Unit | Coca-Cola Central East and West Africa
Company Secretary, and General Manager-Legal Affairs | Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen)
Head, legal, transaction banking, Africa & Middle East | Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Team Leader, legal, governance, risk and compliance | Zamara Actuaries, Administrators and Consultants
Head of legal, Kenya and East Africa Cluster | Standard Chartered Bank
East Market Area General Counsel | PricewaterhouseCoopers
Senior legal counsel | Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT
Head of legal, wealth, retail banking Kenya and East Africa | Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Chief Legal, Regulatory, and Corporate Governance Officer | Safaricom Ethiopia
Associate General Counsel | Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank
Director legal services/ regulatory compliance and company secretary | Kenya Airways
Corporation Secretary & Director, Legal Services | Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)
Executive Director, Africa | International Council of Beverages Associations (ICBA)
Regional Head, Legal & Company Secretariat- East Africa | Interswitch East Africa (Kenya)
Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs/Company Secretary | ATC Uganda
Head of Legal East, Central & Southern Africa | Network International
Head of legal services & company secretary | Tanzania Mortgage Refinance Company
Senior Manager - head of legal | MTC Trust & Corporate Services
Head, Legal, Client Coverage, Corporate and Investment Banking | Standard Chartered Bank Kenya
Company Secretary & Head Legal and compliance | Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Company
Head of corporate & legal affairs | Industrial Promotion Services (Kenya)
General Manager, Corporate Services/ Company Secretary | MTN Rwandacell
Head of Legal and Corporate Affairs – Africa | Inchcape
General counsel and chief compliance officer | Trinity Metals Group
Group Vice President, Deputy Managing Director, and General Counsel | Trade and Development Bank Group - TDB Group
Head of Legal, compliance and regulatory affairs | Ruzizi III Energy
Manager, Litigation and Regulatory Affairs | Ethiopian Airlines
Head of Regulatory and Public Policy | Safaricom
Fred is a commercially savvy, pragmatic, and solutions-driven leader with over 20 years of experience spanning both corporate and private legal practice. He currently serves as Director, Regulatory Affairs and...
Company Secretary & Legal Advisor | Brassieres et Limonderies du Burundi Brarudi
Legal and compliance manager, company secretary | Uganda Securities Exchange
Regional general counsel and company secretary | Africa Global Logistics
East and West Africa Region - Head of legal and regulatory affairs | Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Head legal and company secretary | UAP Old Mutual Insurance Uganda and Old Mutual Investment Group Uganda (OMIG)
Legal Manager | Victoria Commercial Bank
Ruth Muasya is an accomplished legal professional with over 12 years of experience in corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, regulatory compliance and corporate governance. She currently serves as...
Country Head of legal and compliance & company secretary | Standard Chartered Bank, Tanzania
It is with great pride that we present the second edition of the Legal 500 GC Powerlist: East Africa. Following the success of our inaugural edition, we have once again embarked on an extensive research initiative to spotlight the region’s most accomplished general counsel and senior in-house lawyers.
This year’s Powerlist reflects a legal landscape that is both vibrant and transformative. Across East Africa, general counsel are not only protecting their organisations but also steering them into new frontiers. Our research revealed that in-house lawyers are increasingly recognised as strategic partners, actively contributing to organisational growth and decision-making. As Daniel Wandera, group head of legal at Ramco Group, told us, “Legal is now seen as a value enabler, not just a compliance function.”
Equally, we found counsel adapting to an environment of rapid change, navigating digital disruption, ESG compliance, cross-border deals, and the fast-moving integration of AI into business processes. As Peris Wairimu Chege, head of legal at I&M Bank, observed, “Companies should adopt AI and integrate legal tech, and legal teams should be equipped to advise on AI risks.”
Beyond their legal expertise, the individuals recognised in this year’s edition demonstrate remarkable leadership, collaboration, and influence. They are not only trusted advisers but also business enablers and industry shapers. Patricia Nyokabi Mbugua of Standard Chartered Bank reflected on this evolution, noting, “This ‘get-in-early’ approach has earned us the reputation of being business enablers.”
Taken together, these stories show us that East Africa’s general counsel community is driving change far beyond the legal department. They are shaping business strategy, guiding innovation, and influencing society at large. We are honoured to recognise these outstanding professionals whose insight, resilience, and leadership continue to inspire. Their work not only strengthens their organisations but also builds the foundations of a robust in-house legal culture across East Africa. A special thanks to our sponsor ENSAfrica who has contributed to making this edition a reality. Congratulations to all listed in the GC Powerlist East Africa 2025!
Melissa Yebisi
Editor
Legal 500
On 3 September, after the success of the Kenya launch, Legal 500 hosted the second official launch event for the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026, in partnership with ENS. Held at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala, Uganda, the evening brought together many of the region’s leading in-house lawyers, with a particular focus on celebrating the strength and contribution of Uganda’s legal community.
The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Giulio Tomassi Galanti, Business Development Manager at Legal 500, who highlighted the dynamic growth and increasing sophistication of the East African legal market. He also reflected on the rigorous research and selection process behind the GC Powerlist series, congratulating this year’s honourees for their outstanding contributions to both the legal profession and the organisations they serve.
Giulio was followed by Rachel Musoke, Head of ENS Uganda, who addressed the audience and applauded the exceptional achievements of those recognised in the 2026 edition.
Following the formal certificate presentation ceremony, Candy Wekesa Okoboi, Head of Legal at Stanbic Bank Uganda, was invited to speak on behalf of the honourees. She reflected on the significance of being recognised by the publication and emphasised the importance of bringing together East Africa’s in-house legal community to celebrate shared achievements, strengthen professional connections, and support the continued development of the profession across the region.
The Kampala launch of the GC Powerlist: East Africa 2026 proved a fitting celebration of the region’s outstanding in-house legal talent. The evening showcased the depth of expertise, leadership, and innovation present across East Africa’s corporate counsel community, while reaffirming Legal 500’s commitment to recognising and championing its achievements. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to this year’s research process, and to ENS for once again partnering with Legal 500 to provide a platform that honours these exceptional legal professionals.
