Tag: african excellence

GC Forum GRC: Who Do You Call at 11 o'clock on a Friday?

Next month, the GC Forum Governance, Risk, and Compliance will return to Johannesburg, hosted by Africa Legal in partnership with Afriwise. Glenda Benson of Afriwise writes about last year's pioneering forum, and discusses matching in-house teams with local firms, and changing outdated perceptions

Two weeks to go: GC Forum Extractives comes to Zambia

On 29 September, the inaugural Zambia edition of the GC Forum Extractives will gather mining stakeholders and industry leaders in Livingstone. Africa Legal co-founder and CEO Scott Cowan reflects on a key moment.

Finding another way to serve: Nana Owusu’s distinctive path to global legal practice

At 26 years old, Nana Owusu has launched an international legal management group with Africa at the heart of its global ambitions. He talks to Africa Legal about his Ghanaian heritage, lessons from helping manage leading London barristers’ chambers, and the experiences that inspired him to rethink how lawyers can build international careers.

Beyond the law: rising stars on 200 Young South African list are shaping business and the profession

This year's edition of the Mail & Guardian’s prestigious 200 Young South Africans list was revealed at a glittering awards evening in Johannesburg on 6 August. Last month we profiled nine of the brilliant young legal talents on this year's list. Now we take a look at another nine legal rising stars among the honourees.

Global recognition of African arbitrators grows as Prof Kenneth Wyne Mutuma appointed to CIETAC

One of Asia’s oldest arbitral institutions, and among the world’s busiest, CIETAC has enhanced its burgeoning cross-continental cooperation with Africa by adding leading Kenyan dispute resolution practitioner Prof Kenneth Wyne Mutuma to its ranks.

AFSA adds arbitration heavyweights Diawara, Abdallah, and Mkiva to International Court

The Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) has announced the appointment of three leading African dispute resolution practitioners to its International Court, bolstering the Court’s depth of expertise and international standing.

Positive energy: powering Africa to deliver a better future for the world

Ahead of the 2026 Africa Energy Forum (AEF) being held in Cape Town across 16-19 June, under the theme of ‘Building Africa’s Industrialised Future’, leading projects and energy expert Greg Nott discusses the growth of AEF and Africa’s energy (r)evolution.

Brigette Baillie, Ezra Davids & Ashwin Mudhoo singled out among law firm honours at Chambers Africa Awards 2026

Presented at an online ceremony on Thursday, 28 May, the Chambers Africa Awards celebrate top law firms’ pre-eminence across key African jurisdictions. This year three individual lawyers were also honoured for their outstanding achievements

Ghanaian advocate and arbitrator Nania Owusu-Ankomah named as new London Court of Arbitration Vice-President

With roots tracing to the late 19th century, the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) is a world-leading institution for commercial dispute resolution. Last week it announced the appointment of three new members to the LCIA Court and the promotion of Nania Owusu-Ankomah to Vice President

Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors honoured as a Law Firm of the Year among Media Law International’s 2026 Award winners

Established in 1947, Punuka Attorneys & Solicitors is one of Nigeria’s oldest business law firms, and a member of Lawyers Associated Worldwide (LAW), a global network of independent firms located in more than 180 major commercial centers. At the recent Media Law International Awards in London, Punuka Attorneys was the only African firm named a Law Firm of the Year.

Develop Your A-Game: 8 Leadership Lessons from Aliko Dangote, Africa’s Industrial Titan

Leading Nigerian sports, entertainment and technology lawyer Beverley Agbakoba Onyejianya, who was recently nominated to the Court of Arbitration for Sport as a mediator, reflects on the personal lessons she’s taken from an enlightening conversation between ‘brilliant’ businesspeople Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Nicolai Tangen

ALPi’s Nana Adjoa Hackman named Humanitarian of the Year at 2026 Ghana Women of the Year Honours

Nana Adjoa Hackman, Managing Partner of Ghana-based pan-African firm Africa Legal Associates and founder of youth mentoring NGO Drive to Inspire - Africa, was honoured for her humanitarian work at the 11th Ghana Women of the Year Honours

Adaptation, innovation, evolution: Deneys launches a new chapter today, anchored on a century of trust

One of African law’s most established firms steps fully into independence today, as Deneys officially launches its brand identity and digital presence. Drawing on more than a century of South African legal practice and a clear view of what is next, the firm opens a new chapter as an independent, full-service African law firm.

Teamwork and talent shone as ALN, Bowmans, UUBO, Afriwise, and DLA Piper Africa are among the stars of a glittering 2026 IFLR Africa Awards

This week in Cape Town, excellence and innovation among the African legal profession was celebrated at the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards. More than 90 awards were presented to leading lawyers, law firms, and in-house counsel whose work strengthens the cross-border investment environment.

Timely conversations, powerful reflections, a space where ideas meet action: GC Forum Extractives 2026

On 11 February, the GC Forum Extractives was held in Cape Town, hosted by Africa Legal in partnership with several sponsors, and delivering a strategic dialogue platform for industry leaders who shape the future of Africa’s mining and energy industries.

BNLF Vice-Chair Genevieve Wakeley-Jones receives Social Impact honour at Nigeria Magazine Awards

On Friday, Nigeria Magazine held the London event for its annual awards honouring exceptional women driving Nigeria’s progress and shaping its future. At the first of two celebrations to be held in London and Lagos, British Nigeria Law Forum Vice-Chair Genevieve Wakeley-Jones received the Social Impact Award

Strengthening the Bench: Women and the Evolution of Judicial Leadership in Africa

While global justice leadership remains concentrated in high-income countries, African courts and institutions are showing promising signs on how inclusive judicial leadership can strengthen governance, legitimacy, and the rule of law, writes Melene Rossouw, an advisor to Global Justice 50/50

Congolese judge Blaise Tchikayo elected new President of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

As the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, it has this week elected Justice Blaise Tchikaya of the Republic of Congo as its new President, to replace Justice Modibo Sacko, who will continue on the bench

Chief Justice Martha Koome launches memoir sharing her journey from village life to Kenya’s top judge

In 2021, Justice Martha Koome made history by becoming Kenya’s first female Chief Justice. On Friday evening in Nairobi she launched her autobiography “Courting Courage”, before a colourful crowd of dignitaries at an event celebrating justice, resilience and the enduring strength of the rule of law.

International African firm Asafo & Co adds Paris firm Stork Avocats to further grow an Africa-focused powerhouse

Sharing an ambition to build a stronger bridge between international capital and sustainable African opportunities, Asafo & Co and Africa-focused French firm Stork Avocats have today announced their merger, with Nicolas Jean and his talented team integrating into Asafo & Co’s ‘exceptional platform’ in Paris.

Olaniwun Ajayi looks to the future as it promotes eight talented lawyers to Managing Counsel or Senior Associate

Established in 1962, Olaniwun Ajayi has grown over six decades from a sole practice to the largest firm in West Africa, with a pan-African focus, pioneering international outlook, and commitment to innovation and the future of law. The firm continued that ethos with the announcement yesterday of eight ‘well-deserved promotions'

Awa Dabo’s appointment as UN Deputy High Commissioner of Human Rights a ‘proud moment’ for The Gambia

Yesterday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced the appointment of Awa Dabo of The Gambia as Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, sparking well wishes from across Africa and the international community for the prominent and well-respected human rights lawyer

“Exceptional, Thought-Provoking, Energising”- GC Forum | Governance, Risk & Compliance Returns in 2026

Africa Legal, in partnership with leading legal intelligence platform Afriwise, is pleased to announce the return in 2026 of the GC Forum GRC, the premier governance, risk and compliance forum for senior in-house legal leaders and other stakeholders across Africa.

Making an impact: six new Board members elected to expanded 2026 GAIL Africa Regional Board

Established in 2015, the Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers (GAIL) is a community of legal leaders who use the practice of law to have a positive impact on people and the planet. This week, the organisation announced its GAIL Africa Regional Board for 2026

Deneys: honouring a century of legacy while focusing on the future as leading South African law firm enters its next chapter of growth

In November, Norton Rose Fulbright and its South African leadership team announced the local business would return to being an independent firm on March 31, 2026. This afternoon the name of that firm - one with deep heritage - has been revealed

Bowmans upgrades its technology law capabilities by installing Robby Coelho as a new partner in Cape Town

Leading pan-African corporate law firm Bowmans traces its roots back to 1885, but the firm is firmly focused on the future. After adding telecommunications expert Justin Ramages as a partner last month, the firm yesterday announced tech lawyer and entrepreneur Robby Coelho as a new partner in Cape Town

Africa’s critical minerals, geopolitics, and the vital role of the legal profession

Ahead of the GC Forum Extractives to be held on 11 February in Cape Town, under the theme “Africa’s Critical Core | Minerals, Markets & Global Collaboration”, Africa Legal co-founder and CEO Scott Cowan reflects on the critical role lawyers must play to ensure Africa’s generational opportunity translates into sustainable development

Africa must build its legal infrastructure to unlock looming trade and investment revolution, says new Yamalé Alliance

The Yamalé Alliance was launched yesterday, with a vision of Africa where all 54 countries negotiate, trade, and govern on equal footing with global partners — supported by strong legal institutions and accessible systems that serve every community.

Meritas’ Africa Emerging Leaders Group unveils new leadership as Patricia Kamugisha is appointed as Chair and Faarzaad Soreefan as Co-Chair

Established in 1990, Meritas is a global alliance of leading independent law firms dedicated to helping clients access top-tier legal expertise from anywhere in the world. It has now marked a new chapter for its Africa Emerging Leaders Group with the recent announcement of fresh leadership.

Chinwe Odimba-Chapman and Chimdinma Nwaigwe honoured by BNLF for outstanding contributions to legal industry

Last Friday night, the British Nigeria Law Forum celebrated a new chapter of success and collaboration in its nearly quarter century cross-border mission, with its glittering Annual Gala Dinner and Awards at the historic Great Hall at Lincoln’s Inn in London.

Professor Phoebe Okowa’s election to International Court of Justice celebrated as milestone for Kenya

In a history-making move, the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council yesterday elected Kenyan advocate and law professor Phoebe Okowa as a Member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Okowa will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of former ICJ President Abdulqawi Yusuf

LCIA’s Young International Arbitration Group names seven new regional representatives for Africa

Established in 1997, the Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG) for practitioners, students and younger members of the arbitration community now has over 12,200 members from 145+ countries. This week it revealed its new representatives for six global regions

Moroccan and South African lawyers elected to the Board of International Sports Lawyers Association

After many years of Europe-focused activities, the Zurich-based International Sport Lawyers Association (ISLA) has showcased its aim to become a truly global organisation with last week’s election of its new Board, which includes two African lawyers.

Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo sworn in as the first-ever female Principal Judge of Uganda

On Sunday, Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni said the arrival of a new generation of leaders offered hope for reform, as he presided over the swearing in of new Principal Judge, Lady Justice Jane Frances Abodo, and several other justice officials.