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
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
Trump’s 3.5% Tax on Remittances - Some Product Considerations
If President Trump’s proposal to impose a 3.5% excise tax on outbound remittances by non-citizens becomes law, remittance and money transfer companies operating in the cross-border payments space will need to significantly update their compliance strategies.
Fraud & Misrepresentation Risk in M&A Transactions
In 2021, JPMorgan Chase acquired Frank for $175 million, in an M&A transaction, seeking to deepen its footprint in the student financial services market.
Should VC Funds be Regulated like Mutual Funds?
Delaware should be the bench mark and part of the goal should be to position Nigeria as a magnet for risk capital, attracting tech founders and fund managers.
Data Protection or Data Privacy: What Does Section 37 Really Guarantee?
If we treat every breach of data protection obligations as a breach of constitutional rights, we risk (a) flooding the courts with claims that should be regulatory in nature
Paystack and the Holding Funds Rule: Implications for a PSSP
We analyse the “holding funds” rule as it applies to a PSSP and what this means for the design and structure of fintech products
Protecting Global Luxury Brands in Nigeria: Key Legal Strategies
Whilst Africa’s luxury market offers immense potential, global luxury brands risk losing revenue and reputation to counterfeiters, without a proactive brand protection strategy.
Cryptocurrency Exchange Licenses in Nigeria
This legal update highlights some of the key legal requirements for establishing a cryptocurrency exchange business in Nigeria, succinctly as follows: 1. Re...
Celebrity Endorsement Deals in Nigeria for Global Brands
A major foreign brand looking to enter the Nigerian market sought to partner with an A-list Nigerian celebrity for a celebrity endorsement deal
Term Sheets in Nigeria - Venture Capital
Upon reviewing the Term Sheet, our legal team identified several unfavourable provisions that could jeopardise the company’s valuation