An interview with Jesse Zigmund, General Counsel at M-KOPA in Kenya.
How would you describe the state of the GC Community in your region? How has it changed since you first moved in-house?
The GC community in East Africa has evolved dramatically since I first moved in-house. When I joined M-KOPA several years ago, the in-house legal community was relatively fragmented, with limited formal networking opportunities. There’s been a significant growth in both formal and informal networks (Tech GC, Law Ninjas, ACGC, etc).
Why is expanding your network important to you?
Expanding my network is crucial for navigating the complex regulatory landscape across multiple African markets. M-KOPA is often establishing the industry we operate in as we go along.
What kinds of connections or discussions would be most valuable to you?
The most valuable connections for me are with other GCs who have experience scaling companies across multiple African jurisdictions and navigating the unique compliance challenges this presents. I’m particularly interested in connecting with legal leaders who have experience in digital financial services, as this remains an evolving area with significant impact on our business model.
What do you want to achieve by collaborating with other GCs and senior in-house lawyers? Are there specific topics, challenges, or experiences you’d like to share or learn more about?
My primary goal in collaborating with other GCs is to develop:
– Practical approaches to harmonising compliance programs across diverse regulatory regimes.
– Effective strategies for engaging with regulators in emerging markets, particularly when introducing novel business models.
– Best practices for building and developing legal teams that can support rapid business growth while maintaining strong risk management.
– Managing the increasing data protection and privacy requirements across African markets.
I’m also keen to contribute my experiences in developing legal frameworks for asset financing models that serve underbanked populations, as this has been a core focus throughout my tenure at M-KOPA.
