Team size: Two

Q&A

What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

We have been in the process of entering into major management agreements so as to grow the footprint of the brand within Africa. We have also been involved in global partnerships such as partnerships with Turkish Airlines so as to provide our members with international airline benefits.

How do you navigate the legal complexities of cross-border transactions within the East African Community (EAC) and beyond?

This is through proper transaction structuring and ensuring that proper legal advice is in place prior to commencing any cross-border transactions. Once the legal advice is in place, one can proceed with the transaction with all the considerations being in place and in compliance with applicable laws. 

How is your legal function leveraging technology to enhance efficiency in areas such as contract management and compliance monitoring?- We are transitioning into adoption of a contract management tool.  This will enable us to effectively manage and track the contracting process.

In light of increasing regulatory scrutiny across sectors in East Africa, how are you adapting your compliance frameworks to stay ahead of change?

We are ensuring that we are first to be informed on any regulatory changes and we are similarly fast in streamlining our business to the new regulatory landscape. Our compliance documents are also updated accordingly.

What strategies has your legal team adopted to mitigate legal and regulatory risks in a rapidly evolving business and political environment?

We have built strategic relationships with stakeholders, including regulators and external counsel. As a result of this, we are on a first to know basis whenever changes in the law apply. We also regularly watch relevant websites so as to ensure that we are well appraised on any regulatory developments and we are quick to appraise our business partners and adapt to any regulatory changes. Where regulatory approvals are required to greenlight a transactions, we always ensure that this is in place. 

What trends are you seeing in foreign investment into the region, and how does your role support or facilitate these opportunities?

There is a growing rate in the foreign transactions in the region and our role as General Counsels is to midwife potential transactions into realization. Our responsibility involves ensuring that the legal end of the deal is catered to and regulations are adhered to in the execution of the deal. 

How is the role of the General Counsel evolving in East Africa as organisations place greater emphasis on governance, transparency and ESG considerations?

General Counsels have to have a holistic approach during deal structuring  as well as in their day to day transactions by ensuring that their input and advice is not just legally sound but also puts into place other governance, social and ethical considerations.