Zambian technology and innovation hub BongoHive has engaged legal firm Musa Dudhia & Co to make legal services accessible to its member startups.
BongoHive said Musa Dudhia & Co was its preferred choice of law firm as a result of its extensive Zambian expertise, commercial transactions and dispute resolution.
The hub’s co-founder and head of entrepreneurship, Simunza Muyangana said legal guidance for startups is often overlooked, but is a vital aspect to building a scalable business.
“As an SME starts to grow, it is important to have appropriate documentation in place to protect the business and it’s assets. Having an experienced corporate and commercial team of lawyers to discuss a start-up’s options upfront may help avoid unwanted results down the road, like paying more in taxes or exposing yourself to unnecessary liability,” said Muyangana.
BongoHive executive director and co-founder, Lukonga Lindunda said the local entrepreneurship ecosystem needed more private and public sector partnerships in order to drive growth of SMEs.
“BongoHive is constantly looking for opportunities that will provide local SMEs with the support necessary to become global companies,” he said.
Abdulla Dudhia, senior partner at Musa Dudhia & Co, said his company, which was founded in 1958, had played an important role in shaping Zambia’s legal past but was always keeping its eyes firmly fixed on the future.
“The future of Zambia is the hands of young, creative entrepreneurs and it’s for this reason that we are part of ALN, which is comprised of African home grown law firms, like us, who are committed to building Africa for Africans. We hope that by assisting Zambian startups through BongoHive, our country can grow into an African power house,” he said.