The Legal Issues That Shape Investment Deals

Legal experts unpack the issues that quietly shape - and derail - deals.

A business can have perfect numbers and still be “uninvestable” if the legal foundation is weak. This session focuses on the documentation, from NDAs to warranties, that defines the risk and reward of a deal.

We discuss the complexity of cross-border regulations in Africa and why transparency regarding historical non-compliance is the only way to keep a deal alive.

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Lessons for African founders

Prioritise legal documentation early: A sound legal structure is the foundation that ensures your deal is actually enforceable.
warranties and indemnities are the real negotiation: This determines who bears the loss if something goes wrong. Understand exactly what you are personally guaranteeing before you sign.
Align formal governance with reality: If your board structure exists on paper but you make all decisions in isolation, investors see this as a major risk.
Address historical non-compliance proactively: Disclose past tax or permit issues early. They can often be addressed as part of the deal structure rather than killing the deal later.

Panelist profiles

Ashish Patel Managing Partner AAVISHKAAR CAPITAL

Private equity investor focused on structuring and scaling investments across Africa

Rosa Nduati-Mutero Managing Partner ANJARWALLA & KHANNA

Corporate lawyer specialising in complex transactions and investor-business governance frameworks

John Maingi Investment Manager BRITISH INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT

Impact investor with over a decade's experience deploying capital across Africa's energy and infrastructure sectors

Deepa Doshi Deals Advisory Partner BDO EAST AFRICA

30+ years in finance and due diligence to lead East Africa's investment momentum, with a pivotal role in the UK-funded Manufacturing Africa initiative