Technology, Media & Digital Economy
Balogun Harold provides comprehensive legal counsel across Africa's technology, media, and digital economy sectors, with particular expertise in emerging technologies, digital media, and innovative business models. Our team serves technology start-ups, established tech companies, media organizations, gaming companies, and digital platforms navigating Nigeria's rapidly evolving digital landscape and international expansion opportunities. We specialize in technology law across African markets, advising on intellectual property protection, data privacy compliance, regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies, and cross-border digital transactions. Our digital media expertise covers content licensing, advertising regulation, and platform liability, while our technology practice addresses AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and cybersecurity challenges. With deep experience in Nigeria's tech ecosystem and international digital markets, we understand the unique regulatory, cultural, and commercial dynamics of Africa's digital transformation. Our team provides strategic counsel that balances innovation with compliance, helping technology and media companies scale while managing legal risks and protecting intellectual property in competitive global markets.
Our technology, media & digital economy practice combines deep industry knowledge with comprehensive legal expertise, serving clients across Nigeria and Africa. We understand the unique regulatory and commercial challenges facing businesses in this sector and provide strategic counsel that helps clients navigate complex legal landscapes while achieving their business objectives. Our team delivers practical, business-focused solutions that protect client interests while facilitating growth and innovation. We work with leading corporations, financial institutions, and investors to structure transactions, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage legal risks effectively.
With extensive experience representing clients in technology, media & digital economy matters, Balogun Harold has established itself as a trusted advisor in this sector. Our team's deep understanding of Nigerian law, combined with international best practices, enables us to provide strategic guidance that helps clients maintain competitive advantage while ensuring regulatory compliance. We work closely with clients to develop comprehensive legal strategies that align with their business goals and support long-term success in Nigeria's dynamic market. Our approach emphasizes proactive risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning, enabling clients to make informed decisions and achieve their business objectives.
We support our Clients with:
Notable Experience
Fintech Securitisation Financings
Advised and acted on behalf of multiple fintechs on the negotiation and closing of senior structured securitisation financings of over $250 million, from international investors.
Venture Capital Transactions for Technology Companies
Advised and acted on behalf of multiple tech companies and venture capital investors, in connection with the drafting, negotiation and closing of multiple venture capital investments, including Series A & B Financings.
Nigerian Market Entry for Fintech Unicorn
Advised a leading fintech unicorn on market entry into Nigeria, including regulatory compliance, obtaining all necessary licenses, and establishing local operations in accordance with Nigerian legal and commercial frameworks.
Insights & Updates
Significant Economic Presence in Nigeria
The concept of Significant Economic Presence in Nigeria establishes a taxable nexus for non-resident companies or individuals that derive significant economic benefits from Nigeria, even if they do not have a traditional physical permanent establishment in the country. The concept of Significant Economic Presence is particularly relevant in the digital economy, including e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, online platforms, and other electronically mediated service
Cross-Border Data Transfers in Nigeria – U.S. SaaS Companies
For DPOs and privacy counsel of U.S. SaaS companies and Nigerian customers, one big challenge is ensuring lawful cross-border data transfers. This article explains the rules and what NDPA compliance for U.S. SaaS companies requires in practice.
Nigeria Issues 2024 Online Trust and Safety Compliance Report
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has released the 2024 Compliance Report on the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries (CoP for ICSPs/IIs).
Technical and Organizational Measures- A Primer
Technical measures are the technological controls used to protect personal data. On the other hand, organizational measures are the internal policies, governance frameworks, and cultural practices that ensure personal data is processed responsibly
Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria: Key Regulatory Considerations
A recent report by Google titled "Our Life With AI: From Innovation to Application" suggests that generative AI adoption in emerging markets is significantly higher than global averages. Within that context, we examine some regulatory touch points within the emerging legal framework for artificial intelligence services in Nigeria.
Are U.S. Foreign SaaS Corporations Regulated by Nigeria?
We think that the African SaaS market is already significantly larger than commonly cited figures suggest. While some sources estimate it at around $3.5 billion in 2023, we believe this substantially understates actual consumption.
Online Safety Act: Age Verification and Data Reuse
The risk of reuse of age verification data is conceivable
Online Trust & Safety in Nigeria: An Overview
In Nigeria, the regulatory landscape surrounding online trust and safety is anchored primarily in the Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms & Internet Intermediaries (the “Code”). This framework defines the rules that digital platforms must follow, with specific obligations
Nigeria Data Privacy Law 2025: NDPA & GAID Guide
In March 2025, NDPC issued the General Application and Implementation Directive (GAID) 2025, an operational rulebook that consolidates how the Act applies in practice and introduces detailed rules
New Online Lending Regulations in Nigeria by FCCPC
The FCCPC is saying, if you are a digital lender and your business or partnerships do not meet certain minimum standards, we would not let you start the business or enter/continue that partnership agreement. If you have already commenced business, we would stop you from continuing to do business, until you meet our standards. This is a very high bar and commendable.
Nigeria's Open Banking: Data Access Considerations
As Nigeria transitions to an Open Banking regime, we anticipate a wave of fintech innovation driven by secure and regulated access to customer data. While this access presents significant opportunities for product development, it is governed by strict regulatory safeguards. In this update, we outline key considerations for Fintechs seeking to responsibly and lawfully leverage open banking APIs to access customer data.
How Nigerian Hotels can Avoid Copyright Lawsuits Over Music & Broadcasts
A recent decision by the Federal High Court in favour of a popular Lagos hotel underscores the importance of adopting a strategic approach to music and content broadcasting in Nigerian hotels, clubs, restaurants and entertainment centres