LEX Africa

04/09/2026

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is transforming more than trade. It is reshaping the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern cross-border business across Africa.

As African States align domestic laws with the AfCFTA Protocols, businesses must navigate evolving requirements relating to competition law, investment protection, local content, digital trade, dispute resolution and regulatory compliance. Understanding how continental, regional and national legal frameworks interact is becoming increasingly important for businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.

LEX Africa explores the legal considerations that businesses, investors and General Counsel should understand to manage regulatory complexity and support successful cross-border expansion under the AfCFTA.

Read the full blog article:

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/insights/the-african-continental-free-trade-area/

Discover how the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is shaping Africa’s trade, investment, and legal integration for economic growth.

02/09/2026

Claims to recover urban land from unlawful possessors in Ethiopia must now be brought within 10 years from the date of dispossession.

In a landmark interpretation, the Cassation Division of the Ethiopian Federal Supreme Court clarified that urban land recovery claims are subject to the general ten-year limitation period under Article 1845 of the Civil Code. The ruling departs from the previous approach, confirming that these claims cannot be treated as ownership-based vindication actions, as land ownership is constitutionally vested in the State and the peoples of Ethiopia.

The decision provides greater legal certainty for landholders, investors and developers by clarifying when claims become time-barred and reinforcing the importance of timely enforcement of land use rights.

Read the full news article:

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/2026/04/ethiopias-new-cassation-ruling/

31/08/2026

Identical pricing between competitors does not automatically amount to unlawful price fixing.

A Competition Tribunal decision reaffirmed that parallel pricing, even where competing tender submissions contain identical prices, is insufficient to establish collusion without evidence of an agreement between the parties. The judgment reinforces an important competition law principle: similarity in pricing may raise questions, but liability depends on whether coordinated conduct or consensus can be proven.

For businesses participating in procurement processes, the decision highlights the importance of understanding how competition authorities assess allegations of price fixing and collusive tendering under South Africa's Competition Act.

Read the full news article:

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/2026/03/south-africa-competition-law-pricing/

28/08/2026

Personal liability for directors does not begin when a company enters liquidation. In Botswana, exposure may arise much earlier where directors or senior management continue to incur obligations without a reasonable basis for believing the company can meet them.

The Botswana Companies Act places directors under clear fiduciary and statutory duties to act with care, diligence and in the best interests of the company. As financial distress develops, those duties increasingly extend to protecting creditors, with failures potentially resulting in personal liability, director disqualification and claims brought by liquidators, judicial managers or creditors.

Recognising the legal warning signs early is critical to managing corporate risk and making informed decisions before financial pressures escalate.

Read the full news article:

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/2026/04/reckless-trading-in-botswana/

26/08/2026

Property transactions across Africa extend beyond the transfer of land. They require careful consideration of zoning regulations, land use restrictions, environmental obligations, water rights, mining interests and jurisdiction-specific property laws that can significantly influence project delivery and investment outcomes.

Whether acquiring commercial real estate, developing infrastructure or financing large-scale property projects, legal due diligence and well-structured agreements are essential to managing risk throughout the transaction lifecycle.

LEX Africa's Property Law & Real Estate specialists advise developers, investors, lenders and corporates on complex property transactions across Africa, delivering practical legal solutions that support investment with confidence.

Learn more about our Property Law & Real Estate expertise.

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/expertise/property-law-and-real-estate/

24/08/2026

Africa's media, broadcasting and communications sector continues to evolve as digital transformation, expanding connectivity and regulatory reform reshape the industry.

Businesses operating across the continent must navigate complex legal considerations, from licensing electronic communications services and content regulation to regulatory compliance, technology contracts, data-driven services and cross-border transactions. These requirements often differ significantly between jurisdictions, making experienced local legal counsel essential.

LEX Africa's Media, Broadcasting & Communications specialists advise broadcasters, telecommunications operators, ICT providers, financial institutions, investors and technology companies on the legal and regulatory frameworks that support business across Africa.

Explore how our expertise helps clients navigate one of Africa's fastest-evolving sectors.

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/expertise/media-broadcasting-and-communications/

22/08/2026

This month, we are delighted to celebrate Milton Paiva, Partner at MPA Legal Africa, and welcome LEX Africa’s newest member in Cape Verde.

A legal practitioner specialising in international law, investment law, public policy, arbitration, and cross-border legal advisory, Milton brings valuable expertise and regional insight to the LEX Africa alliance.

Based in Praia, MPA Legal Africa provides sophisticated legal and strategic advisory services to governments, international organisations, investors, corporations, and public institutions across Africa and internationally. The firm’s multidisciplinary approach combines legal, tax, and consulting expertise to help clients navigate complex regulatory, investment, governance, and regional integration matters.

Through his work at MPA Legal Africa, Milton Paiva contributes to strengthening legal certainty, supporting cross-border investment, and providing strategic guidance on matters with regional and international significance.

His practice reflects the expertise, strategic insight, and commitment to Africa’s development that continue to strengthen the LEX Africa alliance.

Learn more about MPA Legal Africa: https://lexafrica.com/firm/mpa-legal/

21/08/2026

Africa's upstream oil and gas sector is governed by a diverse range of legal and regulatory frameworks that directly influence how petroleum projects are structured, licensed and operated.

From licensing regimes and state participation to local content obligations, taxation and investment requirements, understanding these frameworks is essential for evaluating project viability, managing regulatory risk and making informed investment decisions across the continent.

LEX Africa's Oil & Gas Guide provides practical insights into the upstream petroleum regimes across African jurisdictions, equipping investors, operators and industry stakeholders with the knowledge needed to navigate complex legal and commercial environments.

Download your copy today.

🔗https://lexafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Guide-to-Oil-and-Gas-Investment-Projects-in-Africa.pdf

19/08/2026

One of the biggest barriers to investing in Africa is navigating 54 distinct legal and regulatory jurisdictions. For many investors, direct market entry requires extensive due diligence across foreign investment laws, tax frameworks, corporate structures and sector-specific regulations.

Africa-focused Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) provide an alternative by offering diversified exposure to multiple African markets through a single investment vehicle. Rather than investing in individual companies across different jurisdictions, investors gain access to a professionally managed portfolio that spreads risk while capturing opportunities across key sectors and economies.

While ETFs simplify market access, understanding the legal and regulatory environment underpinning African investments remains essential for informed decision-making.

Read the full article to learn how Africa ETFs can provide a strategic gateway to the continent's long-term growth.

🔗 https://lexafrica.com/insights/africa-etf/

12/08/2026

This month, we spotlight JLA Advogados, LEX Africa’s member in Mozambique; a dynamic full-service law firm recognised for delivering high-quality legal services to local and international clients across a broad range of practice areas.

With expertise spanning Corporate and Commercial Law, Banking and Finance, Tax, Employment, Litigation, Public and Regulatory Law, and key sectors including Oil & Gas, Mining, Transport, Telecommunications, and Energy, the firm provides practical legal solutions that support business growth and investment in Mozambique.

Recognised by Chambers and Partners Global for General Business Law in Mozambique, JLA Advogados combines deep knowledge of Mozambican law with an international outlook, helping clients navigate complex legal and regulatory matters with confidence.

The firm reflects the strength, expertise, and cross-border collaboration that define the LEX Africa alliance.

Learn more about their expertise: https://lexafrica.com/firm/jla-advogados/