The fintech industry is popular for its dynamic approach to delivery and relies on technological advances. Innovations such as blockchain, mobile payments and savings, peer-to-peer lending platforms, crowdfunding and similar internet-based solutions have radically transformed the financial services landscape in Nigeria, challenging its traditional business models and regulatory infrastructure. However, beyond the noteworthy advancements in this sector, a key concern is giving the country’s growing population access to these innovative solutions.
Our lawyers advise financial services companies in Africa and around the world on their day-to-day operations and wider strategic objectives, from transactions and restructuring to regulatory demands and compliance.
We are already one of the most active law firms in Africa, with the in-country presence and transnational resources to advise and represent clients in the largest banking and commercial transactions. At the same time, we know that uncertain economies require focused legal strategies that address public policy, regulatory and enforcement risks and the costs of compliance.
Local insight, global reach: with teams in 20 African countries, our people understand the political, legal, cultural and regulatory issues that affect the financial services sector in this region.
Our global Africa team itself comprises more than 200 lawyers in Johannesburg, Casablanca, London, New York, Paris, Dubai, Perth, Hong Kong and Beijing.
We concentrate on complex cross-border transactions, representing some of the largest local, regional and international companies active across Africa. We also advise on banking legal issues in higher risk and growth markets.
Our clients include asset managers, building societies, capital markets and their participants, investment banks, national regulators, private banks, private equity firms, professional services organizations engaged in financial services, and retail banks. We also work with retail intermediaries on the legal issues involved in selling financial services to consumers.
As part of one of the world’s biggest business law firms, we can deliver a fully integrated cross-border service across multiple jurisdictions, collaborating with multidisciplinary colleagues worldwide. We have lawyers located in all major capital markets and regulatory centers, among them London, Washington, DC and Brussels.
Please contact us to discuss how we can help you to achieve your objectives.
Open banking is a system where banks allow or authorize third parties, such as financial technology or fintech companies, to access their clients’ financial data to build applications or services. Anchored on providing better customer experiences, open banking has stirred a lot of interest in Africa, including banking apps with detailed analytics of finances, the ability to send money from one bank to another using mobile phones, or the ability to transfer money from one telecoms network to another.
Third-party funding is not new; however, it is about to enter a period of unprecedented global growth – notably in Africa. The measures implemented by governments in response to COVID-19, coupled with the rapid economic downturn and ongoing uncertainty arising from the pandemic, have created the perfect storm. The outlook may seem bleak, but third-party funding offers a ray of hope for beleaguered boardrooms looking to maximize cashflow in this unpredictable period.
Regulation of financial services in Tanzania is largely conducted by the Central Bank of Tanzania (the Bank).