Driving Legal Innovation in Africa: A Conversation with Mercy Mutindi

We’re proud to kick off our Future Lawyer Africa 2.0 interview series with an inspiring conversation featuring Mercy Mutindi, one of Africa’s most accomplished legal innovators. As General Counsel and Director of Compliance at Wasoko, Mercy is not only a trailblazer in corporate law and data privacy but also a passionate advocate for legal transformation across the continent.

In this exclusive interview, she shares deep insights on how legal teams can navigate the fast-changing landscape of legal technology, regulatory compliance, and risk management—all while driving business innovation. Whether you're a seasoned in-house counsel or just beginning your legal tech journey, Mercy’s wisdom offers a practical and forward-thinking roadmap for the future of law in Africa. Let’s dive into her invaluable perspectives!

1. How has your role as an in-house legal professional evolved with the rise of legal tech solutions in recent years?

Legal tech has truly transformed the role of in-house counsel, shifting it from merely providing reactive legal support to becoming a vital part of proactive business enablement. Previously, activities like contract reviews, compliance tracking, and document management consumed a lot of time. Thankfully, with the introduction of automation, AI-assisted contract lifecycle tools, and compliance dashboards, we've gained precious time to focus on strategic thinking. 

In my recent in-house roles, I've really enjoyed integrating legal processes into our broader organizational systems, making sure that legal insights are a part of product development, data governance, and cross-border operations. As we embraced legal tech, I had the wonderful opportunity to lead cross-functional collaboration among legal, tech, and operations teams to co-create risk indicators, compliance workflows, and user-friendly contract templates. This journey not only requires legal expertise but also a knack for change management, process reengineering, and a solid grasp of data privacy, security, and software interfaces. 

Legal has evolved from being the gatekeeper to becoming a strategic partner woven into the fabric of the organization's innovation journey.

2. How do you balance the need for innovation with regulatory compliance and risk management in your legal operations?

Finding the right balance between innovation and compliance starts with embracing risk-aware thinking in our approach to designing new products and services. I love collaborating with our product, tech, and business teams to create frameworks that keep us agile while honoring our legal commitments. For instance, when we're developing internal tools or exploring new markets, I make sure to weave legal checklists into our sprint cycles and prototype testing. By engaging in risk mapping and scenario planning, we can foresee possible challenges while staying in tune with the ever-evolving business landscape. Even more importantly, I work hard to cultivate a culture of compliance by encouraging teams to see legal as a partner rather than a hurdle. 

Our commitment to using contract templates and compliance trackers helps us stay lean while fulfilling our legal responsibilities. When we bring legal into the conversation from the very beginning, innovation and compliance truly work hand in hand!

3. What excites you most about the future of legal tech in Africa, particularly from an in-house counsel perspective?

Africa’s legal tech sector has a wonderful opportunity to tackle traditional challenges. What truly excites me is the incredible potential for legal innovation to drive inclusive economic growth, especially through mobile-first and cloud solutions that make legal services more accessible to everyone. 

From an in-house perspective, this means rolling out scalable, multilingual compliance programs, using AI to review high-risk contracts, and introducing digital identities and smart contracts in environments where trust is low. As regulatory frameworks evolve quickly—especially in data protection and fintech—legal tech allows streamlined legal teams to stay flexible, build cross-border risk frameworks, and support fast-moving businesses without feeling overwhelmed. I draw inspiration from the growing community of African legal innovators who are developing tools that are relevant to the local context rather than borrowing models from other places. 

As more general counsels embrace design thinking, focus on user-friendly legal operations, and embark on digital transformation, Africa is set to shine as a global leader in accessible, ethical, and regionally relevant legal tech.

4. What advice would you give to African legal teams or general counsels looking to embrace digital transformation and innovation?

Start small and smart. Begin by identifying those repetitive legal tasks—like NDAs, board resolutions, or vendor onboarding—that could easily be automated or templated. Take a moment to pinpoint the challenges in your legal operations and collaborate with your IT or process teams to explore simple tools (such as Google Forms, DocuSign, or Trello) before diving into more complicated systems. 

It’s time to shift your perspective: legal transformation is about more than just technology; it’s about reimagining how legal adds value to the business. Boost your teams' expertise in areas like data protection, legal design, and project management. Consider forming innovation working groups that bring together legal, tech, and operations team members to work together on creative solutions. Don’t overlook the power of peer learning—get involved in legal tech communities or regional forums to share insights and experiences. Finally, lead with integrity and empathy; any transformation should reflect the unique realities of your organization and its legal environment. 

The goal isn’t merely to "digitize legal" but to build responsive, human-centered systems that enhance legal efficiency and make a real impact.

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Join Mercy Next Month at Future Lawyer Africa 2.0!

Join Mercy and other thought leaders on July 17th at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi for a full day of future-focused legal innovation. From AI-driven compliance tools to agile legal ops strategies, Future Lawyer Africa 2.0 is the must-attend event for in-house professionals ready to elevate their legal function.

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Final release tickets are going fast - grab your pass today and be part of the movement shaping Africa’s legal future.