Empowering start-ups through legal expertise

Thanny Mosima, the founder and Managing Partner of Mosima Attorneys, is revolutionising the African start-up scene by providing vital legal support to entrepreneurs. He told Africa Legal why he studied law and what drew him to focus on start-ups.

With a strong background in corporate law and a passion for solving complex business problems, Mosima is dedicated to guiding start-ups through the legal challenges they face.

Mosima’s journey into law began with a deep understanding of its power to shape society. Born and raised in Mokopane, South Africa, he realised early on that “in order to make a tangible impact in society, one needs to understand what holds it together. Law seemed like a good start.” Influenced by his father’s involvement in business, Mosima developed a keen interest in commercial law and sought to solve critical problems faced by businesses.

Reflecting on his early experiences as a young lawyer, Mosima noted that finding the right mentorship was crucial, and he was fortunate to have “a network of practitioners who have been in the field for decades ... guide me through some challenges a practitioner faces while running a practice.” He also faced scepticism due to his youthful appearance, but proving his abilities and exceeding client expectations helped overcome these doubts.

Mosima’s impressive track record includes advising on high-profile mergers and acquisitions, such as Absa Group Limited’s acquisition of Socété Générale’s client portfolio and the delisting of a London Stock Exchange entity. His expertise extends to drafting constituting documents for corporations and negotiating various corporate and commercial agreements.

When asked about the inspiration behind starting his own practice, Mosima explained, “In order for me to be effective at solving the pertinent issues facing businesses, I needed to have a bird’s-eye view of all the moving parts involved.” He recognised the lack of dedicated support for start-ups, particularly in the tech sector, and saw an opportunity to bridge that gap.

Mosima noted that many start-up founders prioritise their vision over legal compliance, which can have severe long-term consequences. “Companies need a legal partner that not only understands their vision but also has the technical know-how and the relationships to assist in turning it into a reality.” He aims to empower founders by providing them with essential legal guidance, including navigating employment laws, competition triggers, and term sheet negotiations.

Mosima says Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa are the leading players in the African start-up market at the moment, with Nigeria emerging as the best-funded country in Africa. “The African tech market has enjoyed significant achievements in the past year. The tech space has shown a 1 694% growth since 2015. Fintech remains the leading tech sector, enjoying the most deal activity with impressive figures. This is because it brings solutions to fundamental problems for the people, and this has a snowball effect of offering lucrative returns for investors. E-commerce and retail tech have also shown a lot of potential. showing a growth of 70% in the past year,” he noted.

Mosima is fully focused on empowering start-up founders to navigate legal complexities and avoid potential pitfalls, and as the African start-up market continues to flourish, this young lawyer’s contributions are vital for fostering a supportive environment for entrepreneurial growth.

Find out more about Mosima Advocates here.

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