Could you share an example of a time when you came up with an innovation that improved how your legal team works and did not come at a large expense?

When I joined the Jumia Nigeria team, I supervised and implemented the creation of a weekly tracker. We compiled various subject areas involving the business, including litigation, tax, commercial, company secretarial, and regulatory. This was done internally by the legal team at no cost. We also meet twice a day for 30 minutes. In the morning, matters are discussed, tasks are assigned to lawyers, and we review the progress of assigned tasks in the evening. Jumia is a very fast-paced environment, and this process allows us to keep pace, improve efficiency and service the needs of the business.

As a general counsel, how do you anticipate and prepare for potential legal and regulatory challenges that may arise, particularly in light of emerging technologies and evolving business landscapes?

By closely monitoring the legal and regulatory landscape (via our legal watch), we are abreast of recent developments concerning various laws governing all aspects of our business. Additionally, our parent company is listed on the NYSE; thus, Jumia prioritises legal and regulatory compliance in all that we do. We also maintain an open, cordial, and professional working relationship with our regulators within extant laws and in line with our policies.

How important is choosing to work with external lawyers who align with your company’s values? Are you likely to reconsider what firms you work with based on this?

Choosing the right external counsel cannot be overemphasised. Jumia has five core values; one of which is ‘do what is right, not what is easy’. I embody those values in my day-to-day activities as country head of legal. My choice of external counsel is expected to align with such values. Thankfully, besides being very competent, our external counsel delivered results and aligned with our values as a responsible organisation. This is a win-win situation, and it has worked very well thus far.