An Overview of LegalTech in Sub Saharan Africa- 35+ Startups Defining the Space
In a fast-changing world, where innovative startups are flourishing in sectors such as finance, insurance, healthcare, and agriculture, the legal sector is struggling to keep up as less is known about legal tech startups across Africa.
Accessing justice in Africa is still an issue that African countries are struggling with, the main questions being, is it the failure of the judicial systems put into place or is it the lack of knowledge among Africans on legal information?
In the last 5 years, 35+ innovative legal tech startups have come up, bringing about disruption in the legal sector and changing how things were previously done. These legal tech startups have brought about efficiency, affordable legal services and have also sped up the legal process. This might be the tipping point to Africa’s law practice as we’ve known it.
Below is a breakdown of legal tech startups divided into 5 categories. They include;
- E-discovery – Startups that have made it possible for individuals to access justice or legal information through the use of text messages.
- Online Legal Services – Digital platforms that provide legal services including legal advice, consultation, and Q&A forums.
- Lawyers Marketplace – Digital platforms that connect clients with lawyers.
- Legal Documentation – Startups that generate legal documents for their users online.
- Legal Practice Management – Providers of Data Analytics and Systems used in the legal sector.
Based on our sample of 35 legal startups, as sourced from The Base, close to 40% of the legal startups were founded with the aim of providing Online Legal Services, 5% provide services in Legal Documentation, 26% focus on Legal Practice Management, 10% constitutes Lawyers’ Marketplace platforms, and 15% focus on E-discovery.
Currently, legal tech startups are disrupting the legal sector because of the low prices they offer their users and the use of digital format support systems which speed up the legal process. In the ecosystem, legal stakeholders can work together to enhance efficiency in facilitating access to justice and other forms of legal needs.
Even as technology is growing, issues on cybersecurity are still a concern in times where companies are struggling with data protection and privacy. Custos, which a technology company based in South Africa provides a solution to this by providing measures to avoid data leakages. Players looking to venture into the field will need to prioritize data protection and privacy given the sensitive nature of law practice.
The potential for legal tech in Africa is enabled by its ability to serve the needs of the larger masses better than traditional law practice. While larger African law firms have tended to be conservative in technology adoption, it may be time to rethink this approach as current service delivery standards grow. To attain a client-centric service delivery, technology will play a role in attaining this objective.
Below, we feature 35+ legal tech startups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
| Country | Logos | Company | Vertical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria |  | Law Padi | Online Legal Services |
| Kenya |  | Uwakili | Online Legal Services |
| Benin |  | He Lawyer | Online Legal Services |
| South Africa |  | Creative Contracts | Online Legal Services |
| Nigeria |  | Gavel | Online Legal Services |
| Nigeria |  | Mylaw | Online Legal Services |
| South Africa |  | Lenoma Legal | Online Legal Services |
| Cameroon |  | Novatis Consulting | Online Legal Services |
| Burkina Faso |  | Faso Legal | Online Legal Services |
| Nigeria |  | LawStrive | Online Legal Services |
| South Africa |  | Legal Legends | Online Legal Services |
| Tunisia |  | Startup Factory | Online Legal Services |
| Tanzania |  | Sheria Kiganjani | Online Legal Services |
| Kenya |  | Haki App | Online Legal Services |
| Uganda |  | mSME Garage | Online Legal Services |
| Senegal |  | Sunulex | Online Legal Services |
| South Africa |  | JusDraft | Legal Practice Management |
| Sierra Leone |  | Crimesync | Legal Practice Management |
| Algeria |  | Legal Doctrine | Legal Practice Management |
| South Africa |  | Libryo | Legal Practice Management |
| South Africa |  | Custos | Legal Practice Management |
| Kenya |  | Sheria Soft | Legal Practice Management |
| South Africa |  | Baobab Connect | Legal Practice Management |
| Kenya |  | Btrack Global | Legal Practice Management |
| Uganda |  | JusticeBot | Legal Practice Management |
| Nigeria |  | DIY Law | Legal Documentation |
| Kenya |  | Lawyer Wangu | Legal Documentation |
| Morocco |  | Juris | Lawyers Marketplace |
| Zimbabwe |  | Lawbasket | Lawyers Marketplace |
| Kenya |  | Loyasoft | Lawyers Marketplace |
| Kenya |  | Wakili Mkononi | Lawyers Marketplace |
| South Africa |  | Citizen Justice Network | E-discovery |
| Malawi |  | Ufulu Wanga | E-discovery |
| Uganda |  | Nkola App | E-discovery |
| Uganda |  | Lawyers 4 Farmers | E-discovery |
| Uganda |  | Justice 2 People | E-discovery |
| Kenya |  | Mulika | E-discovery |
| South Africa |  | Updraft | Legal Practice Management |
The data in this research piece comes from THE BASE, Africa’s leading market intelligence platform focused on private companies, VC and PE space. Sign up for FREE today
