Episodes

  • Investing in Africa's greener future | With Muzi Kubeka and Pedro Couto and Craig Sisterson

    Investing in Africa's greener future | With Muzi Kubeka and Pedro Couto and Craig Sisterson
    Jan 6 2025
    What does the future hold for renewable energy projects in Africa? Ahead of the GC Forum Extractives in Cape Town in February, themed “Energy and Mining - the New Power Couple?”, energy and infrastructure law experts Muzi Kubeka of CMS South Africa and Pedro Couto of CMS Mozambique discuss Africa’s rapidly evolving renewable energy sector and the role it could play in socioeconomic development and bringing greater wealth to African nations. In the latest Africa Legal podcast, Muzi and Pedro share insights into the challenges and opportunities in developing renewable energy projects, emphasising cross-border collaborations, the integration of local and international expertise, and innovative financing solutions to meet Africa's growing energy demand. The conversation highlights the importance of modernising infrastructure, streamlining regulatory frameworks, and adopting renewable technologies such as solar, wind, and hydro, and underscores the significant impact of renewable energy on socioeconomic development, job creation, and sustainability across the continent
    Show more Show less
    52 mins
  • The Journey So Far | Audrey Alevina and Scott Cowan

    The Journey So Far | Audrey Alevina and Scott Cowan
    Nov 19 2024
    In the latest episode of the Africa Legal Podcast, Scott Cowan interviews Audrey Alevina, the founding partner of Alevina and Partners, a law firm which started in Gabon and has now extended internationally through Dubai. In their conversation, Audrey shares her experiences of founding her law firm, overcoming obstacles in the male-dominated legal sector, and expanding into asset management with Dhow Advisory, an asset management business based in London and the United Arab Emirates. Audrey emphasises the importance of authenticity, resilience and leveraging mentorship in her career journey. She also points out the need to adapt to changes in Africa's legal sector. Audrey says her firm's focus on innovative legal services and legal structuring has helped her stand out and grow strategically. As African legal markets evolve, Audrey encourages aspiring lawyers to think out of the box and develop a bold strategy. Success, she believes, lies not just in legal knowledge but also in deeply understanding the nuances of the socio-political and economic climate of their region.
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • Navigating product liability in the health sector with Amala Umeike and Samantha Silver

    Navigating product liability in the health sector with Amala Umeike and Samantha Silver
    Nov 4 2024
    In this episode of the Africa Legal Podcast, host Craig Sisterson speaks with Amala Umeike, partner at Stren & Blan Partners in Nigeria, and Samantha Silver, partner at Kennedys LLP in London, on Africa’s rapidly growing health and pharmaceutical sectors and evolving product liability law, with a focus on Nigeria. Amala explains how Africa’s healthcare growth, driven by increased investment and demand, faces regulatory challenges that highlight the need for robust product liability frameworks. He emphasises the regulatory progress in Nigeria, particularly through the African Medicines Agency (AMA), but notes the complexities of defending product liability claims in Nigerian courts. Proactive compliance and strategic defense, he says, are essential for managing these challenges. Samantha shares insights from her global experience, highlighting increased scrutiny on pharmaceutical and medical devices in the UK and EU, which is influencing African standards. She advises that multinationals adopt strong compliance and risk management practices to navigate Africa’s evolving regulations. Effective risk management, recalls, and insurer collaboration are crucial to reducing liability exposure. Both guests agree on the growing importance of regulatory alignment with global standards in Africa. As consumer awareness rises, product liability claims are likely to increase, making compliance and adaptability essential for businesses in Africa’s dynamic market.
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • Episode 5 of 'Life and Lessons in Law' with James Kamau, Chair, DLA Piper Africa

    Episode 5 of 'Life and Lessons in Law' with James Kamau, Chair, DLA Piper Africa
    Aug 27 2024
    The O-shaped lawyer and Africa’s legal evolution In a recent podcast, Scott Cowan and James Kamau explored the concept of the O-shaped lawyer and its impact on Africa’s legal landscape. This model, created by Dan Kayne, emphasises openness, optimism, originality, ownership, and opportunity, and goes beyond traditional legal skills to meet the evolving demands of clients and society. Kamau, Chair of DLA Piper Africa, and Cowan, CEO of Africa Legal, discuss the shift from I-shaped to T-shaped to O-shaped lawyers. I-shaped lawyers possess deep expertise in specific areas, while T-shaped lawyers combine legal expertise with broader business knowledge and collaboration. O-shaped lawyers, however, embody the five Os, making them more adaptable, innovative and capable of addressing complex global and Africa-specific challenges such as climate change, sustainable economic growth and human rights. If Africa’s legal education is going to incorporate these principles, Kamau says the curricula need to include business, technology and psychology courses, alongside mentorship programmes that connect students and professionals across various industries. This comprehensive training will produce well-rounded lawyers capable of contributing significantly to Africa’s development and of adapting to an ever-changing legal environment. Kamau highlighted the importance of resilience, critical thinking and continuous learning for young lawyers. By embracing these qualities, they can create value for clients, navigate complex issues and remain relevant in a dynamic world. This transformative approach positions lawyers to succeed in their careers and also drive positive change across the continent.
    Show more Show less
    33 mins
  • Episode 4 of 'Life and Lessons in Law' with James Kamau, Chair, DLA Piper Africa

    Episode 4 of 'Life and Lessons in Law' with James Kamau, Chair, DLA Piper Africa
    Aug 27 2024
    The discussion begins with an overview of ESG and its impact on various business aspects, including environmental sustainability, social responsibility and corporate governance. Kamau explains that ESG is not just a trend, but rather a crucial framework for ensuring long-term business sustainability and ethical operations. He also highlights specific areas where ESG considerations are essential, such as climate change, human rights and sustainable economic growth. According to Kamau, clients increasingly demand that law firms demonstrate their commitment to ESG principles, and this impacts the way legal services are provided and evaluated. The conversation also touches on the challenges and opportunities that ESG presents for young lawyers. Kamau advises young legal professionals to get a deep understanding of ESG concepts, recognise their relevance to different legal fields, and adopt a sustainable-outcomes approach when dealing with client issues. Continuous learning and mentorship also play a vital role in navigating ESG demands. Kamau suggests that law firms prioritise training and collaboration to equip lawyers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address ESG-related challenges. The episode concludes with a call to action for legal professionals to embrace ESG as a critical component of their practice, emphasising the need for a proactive and informed approach to ensure that businesses can thrive while contributing positively to society and the environment.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins
  • Hogan Lovells General Counsel Series | Episode 2 | Shaping Africa's Green Revolution

    Hogan Lovells General Counsel Series | Episode 2 | Shaping Africa's Green Revolution
    Jul 2 2024
    In this podcast, host Deepa Vallabh, partner at Hogan Lovells, chats to Javier Zapatero and David Auerbach about the way their business strategy is shaping Africa's green revolution while encompassing climate change, human rights and adherence to laws.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • 'Real-world solutions to real-world problems' with Eric Gumbo, G & A Advocates

    'Real-world solutions to real-world problems' with Eric Gumbo, G & A Advocates
    May 1 2024
    It’s essential for law firms to contribute to the space they’re working in and not just have answers for hypothetical situations. In this podcast, Africa Legal host Craig Sisterson chats to Eric Gumbo about providing real-world solutions to clients. In Africa’s dynamic and multi-faceted legal landscape, Eric Gumbo emerges as a paragon of collaborative success and relationship building. As a seasoned advocate practising at G&A Advocates LLP, a Kenyan full service law firm which he founded in 2006, Gumbo has dedicated his professional trajectory to cultivating meaningful connections with clientele spanning diverse industries. G&A’s purpose, he says, is to provide real-world solutions to real-world problems. “Our clients are at the heart of what we do,” Gumbo told Sisterson. Over the last 18 years, G&A Advocates LLP has become a trusted advisor, handling a number of highly complex and sensitive matters, including providing counsel in electoral disputes that have arisen following the past three presidential elections in Kenya. In handling political disputes, Gumbo believes in fostering transparent communication which enables the firm to deliver customised solutions. “It gives us an opportunity to contribute to what you would call the ‘democratic space’ of our country,” he said. G&A seeks to contribute to key sectors of the economy both in Kenya and in the region, and Gumbo views energy as an integral sector in Kenya, and the backbone of economic activities in the East African country. The firm plays a significant role in advising on the energy transition agenda in Kenya and the region. Working on a Kenya-Djibouti green energy project gave G&A an opportunity to have high-level impact. “It gave us an opportunity to understand how much lawyers can impact society through deliberate and well-structured documents in a way that not only achieves success for the client’s project, but also helps them achieve greater societal objectives,” Gumbo added. Another significant mandate that the firm recently received was advising on a recent Eurobond or sovereign debt transaction. Gumbo believes in building the capacity of Kenyan firms, so with this client G&A brought on board a few up and coming law firms which would not otherwise have had the opportunity to work on such a deal. This, he said, was done so that they could collectively contribute to the advancement and evolution of the legal landscape in Africa. In their discussion, Gumbo shares with Sisterson the values the firm espouses, saying client centricity, tailoring solutions to best fit their needs, professionalism and integrity are their top priorities. The podcast wraps up with Gumbo sharing the firm’s future-focused outlook which will ensure it remains relevant in the industry and society as a whole.
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • Ubuntu Mental Health:Overcoming imposter syndrome with Dr Mathero Michelle Nkhalamba

    Ubuntu Mental Health:Overcoming imposter syndrome with Dr Mathero Michelle Nkhalamba
    Feb 20 2024
    In this third episode of the Ubuntu Mental Health Matters Series with Dr Mathero Michelle Nkhalamba, she speaks with Thomas Pearson about imposter syndrome, a mental health condition facing many in the legal industry. The competitive nature of the legal profession and the constant need to demonstrate expertise exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, often making even the most skilful lawyer feel like an imposter. Renowned chartered psychologist Dr Mathero Michelle Nkhalamba explains that imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where people who are professional and capable doubt themselves and their accomplishments and have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. She has found that it presents itself commonly among people in professions that are hypercompetitive, highly skilled or societally well regarded. “The unique thing about the legal profession is that it’s really high stakes. It’s hyper competitive, very visible and a transparent profession. It’s a career that can expose you to a lot of criticism or a lot of praise. That puts the pressure [on one] to feel, ‘Well, am I good enough or do I even belong in this space?’ and that increases your anxiety.” The symptoms of imposter syndrome, says Nkhalamba, manifest through feelings of inadequacy. One of the ways to help manage and prevent this, is to normalise failure. “It’s not only in your professional life; even in your personal life you have to be okay with failing sometimes and understanding that failure is not a major setback. You’re just trying to learn something new about yourself and improve.” Every failure – including those in the legal profession – is a learning process, she says. “Shut down the voice and remind yourself that, ‘Yes, I have had failures, I’ve had setbacks, but I’ve also had achievements.’ Acknowledge them and accept positive feedback,” she added Nkhalamba advises that having a mindset of continual learning helps to deal with this condition. The insightful conversation between Nkhalamba and Pearson includes information on how employers can help break the imposter syndrome mindset in the workplace and why the host and the guest of this podcast should not be allowed on the golf course!
    Show more Show less
    40 mins