By Editor
General Counsel (GCs) across Africa now balance core legal duties with strategic oversight of risk, compliance, ESG, and governance, according to a groundbreaking new report.
A 2025 African GC Perspective, the first continent-wide survey of in-house legal leaders, reveals mounting pressures on legal teams as they navigate regulatory complexity with constrained budgets and staffing.
The African Corporate and Government Counsel Forum (ACGC) and legal intelligence platform Afriwise produced the report, drawing on anonymized responses from 129 senior legal professionals across 41 African countries.
Findings highlight a profession at a crossroads, with GCs taking on broader responsibilities while lacking adequate investment, technology, or personnel.
More than 80% of respondents now hold formal compliance responsibilities, while many also oversee ethics, ESG, and regulatory engagement.
Yet over half operate on annual legal budgets below $150,000, and 48% say their teams are understaffed. Only 19% use tools that provide structured visibility of legal and regulatory obligations across jurisdictions.
“This is a defining moment for the in-house legal function in Africa,” said Cynthia Lareine, ACGC Director and Co-Founder. “GCs are leading strategic decision-making and shaping governance frameworks, but the necessary systems and investment often lag behind.”
Regulatory Fragmentation and Rising Expectations
Shifting regulations across fragmented jurisdictions pose a major challenge, with many GCs struggling to monitor changes in real time.
Teams frequently rely on external counsel or informal networks due to inconsistent access to reliable legal updates.
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GCs also face mounting pressure to align with international standards in ESG, anti-corruption, and data protection—even in regions where local regulations remain underdeveloped.
Others report growing demands to advise on digital transformation, cross-border commerce, and government relations.
“GCs in Africa aren’t just managing legal risk—they’re enabling growth, safeguarding reputation, and guiding leadership through uncertainty,” said Nankunda Katangaza, ACGC Director and Co-Founder.
“This report isn’t just a snapshot of the current state—it’s a roadmap for the future. Strengthening legal capability requires investment in data, systems, and people.”
A Call for Investment in Legal Infrastructure
The report serves as both a benchmark and a strategic tool, offering actionable insights for legal departments, boards, and policymakers.
Its authors hope the findings will spur long-term investment in Africa’s legal infrastructure, ensuring GCs can meet their expanding mandates effectively.
With expert commentary from over 20 legal professionals, the study underscores the urgent need for resources to support Africa’s in-house counsel as their roles evolve from legal advisors to strategic business leaders.
