ALN (Africa Legal Network) is an exclusive alliance of independent, highly ranked, top tier law firms across Africa, with over 600 lawyers on the ground in 15 major cities. ALN has a presence in Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone and Arabic-speaking Africa, which includes Algeria, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. It also has a regional office in Dubai, UAE.
ALN firms work together to provide a one-stop-shop solution for clients doing business across Africa. ALN’s reach at the local, regional and international levels, connectivity with key stakeholders, and deep knowledge of doing business locally and across borders allows it to provide seamless and effective legal, advisory and transactional services across the continent. Their high level of integration is achieved by adherence to shared values and an emphasis on excellence and collaboration. ALN firms share sector-specific skills and regional expertise thus ensuring their clients benefit from the synergies of the alliance.
Profile of Mr. Karim Anjarwalla, Senior Partner at ALN Kenya
Karim Anjarwalla is Senior Partner at ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna, with an impactful legacy spanning over 25 years with the firm. His visionary leadership has been the driving force behind the firm’s remarkable evolution, witnessing its growth from 6 partners to a team of 23.
Under Karim’s leadership, ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna has earned its reputation as the pre-eminent corporate law firm and the largest full-service corporate law firm in East Africa. He played a pivotal role in the establishment and growth of ALN, an alliance of premier corporate law firms now in 14 key African jurisdictions and the UAE. ALN operates on a unique model, combining global expertise with nuanced local knowledge, bringing together Africa’s leading firm to create an African-made world class offering. Karim’s leadership extends beyond the boardroom, as he actively engages with clients, fostering trusted partnerships by seamlessly integrating legal expertise and commercial awareness as an extension of their businesses.
Beyond his legal pursuits, Karim is a prolific writer and thought leader. He regularly explores issues at the intersection of the rule of law, ethics, and economics in his extensive body of work, including through the ALN Academy, where he is a director.
Karim is also board member at Bomu Hospital, where he plays a central role in continuing with his family’s legacy of accessibility of healthcare at the grassroots level. He has been instrumental in providing guidance on its operations and championing the cause of a sustainable healthcare model. In the process, he has established connections with institutional and private donors, facilitating network opportunities, and actively participating in the growth and development of the Hospital. He also serves on the advisory board of the Brenthurst Foundation.
Karim’s outstanding contributions have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, he was honoured as Partner of the Year (Mid-Large Sized Practice) at the Africa Legal Awards and named Kenya Lawyer of the Year at the Chambers Africa Awards. His prominence is further underscored by recognitions such as being labelled a “formidable figure in the Kenyan market” by Chambers Global 2023, a ‘Leading Lawyer’ by IFLR1000 in 2022, and achieving a place in the “Hall of Fame” by Legal 500 in 2023. He continues to shape the legal landscape, earning ALN Kenya the coveted African Law Firm of the Year Award five times since the awards’ inception in 2013.
Karim is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.
You are widely recognized as a leader in the M&A landscape in Africa. Could you please guide us through your successful career as a corporate lawyer? Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey.
Certainly. I studied in the UK and returned home in the mid-1990s, a time when the world was quite different, and Africa’s investment climate was less favorable than it is today. However, significant changes occurred in the early 2000s, including improved global perceptions of Africa, enhanced governance, and increased democratization, all of which positively impacted the investment climate.
This newfound confidence in Africa’s opportunities allowed firms like ours, committed to the continent, to develop greater capacity and capability. We built larger teams and embraced a vision that extended beyond a single country. Over the past 20 to 25 years, we’ve expanded ALN across the continent, now operating in 15 markets and covering English-speaking, French-speaking, and Arabic-speaking regions and with an office in the UAE. Through this expansion, we’ve assisted our clients in navigating Africa’s investment landscape.
ALN is recognized for fostering an entrepreneurial culture and unlocking Africa's immense possibilities. How does ALN's approach differ from other institutions with similar mandates?
Thank you. ALN combines global expertise with deep local insight, connectivity, and reach—a rare combination. Africa is incredibly diverse, with various language groups, religions, cultures, and business practices. It’s challenging to apply experiences from one market directly to another. Understanding differences in law, regulation, and culture is crucial for effective navigation. We bring a richness of experience, focusing on the critical last mile that truly matters. We view our role not just as lawyers but as transaction advisors and investment facilitators, helping clients navigate legal, economic, and cultural landscapes to make informed decisions. The other big differentiator is that we have big teams on the ground, like we have with BLC Robert & Associates in Mauritius, with teams physically located in various regions, unlike models that operate remotely from outside Africa. Having boots on the ground is essential.
Could you elaborate on the challenges and business impediments faced across Africa, given your extensive expertise? How could Mauritius contribute to fostering entrepreneurship in this context?
The challenges across Africa are diverse and vary by region. For instance, the dynamics in French West Africa differ significantly from those in East Africa. At a macro level, we are seeing that the world’s global order on trade particularly is disintegrating while Africa is integrating. As global trade structures evolve, Africa is leading by example through integration efforts like the East African Community, SADC, COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). These initiatives facilitate intra-African trade, presenting unprecedented opportunities. Mauritius plays a vital role in this landscape. Firstly, its financial institutions—banks and insurance companies—can fund and catalyze trade finance for businesses operating in Africa. Secondly, Mauritius has developed an impressive corporate sector with rich expertise, strong balance sheets, and good governance. However, the domestic market’s limited size necessitates Mauritian operators to expand their footprints on the continent to become regional African champions. Mauritian companies have a comparative advantage in Africa, given their proximity and existing networks.
The key is to approach this expansion thoughtfully, mitigating risks and leveraging local know-how. Mauritius’s bilingual proficiency in French and English is a significant, often underestimated advantage, covering most of the continent linguistically. It is also essential for combining Mauritian expertise with local insights, adapting business models to different cultures and markets. Mauritian companies are therefore well-poised to tap into opportunities in sectors like hospitality, financial services, logistics, and fast-moving consumer goods.
I also believe that it is important to handhold the Mauritian companies wishing to explore the African market and show the demonstrable value of investing in a certain market or country. This will then have a signaling effect to others. You should also be able to showcase some of the success stories of the many Mauritian companies operating successfully in Africa such as Alteo, Terra, IBL, etc. It is essential for prospective Mauritian investors to develop strategic market entry plans.
Beyond current efforts, what additional steps could Mauritius take to unlock opportunities in Africa, particularly in areas like arbitration and intellectual property?
At a geopolitical level, Mauritius should invest more in diplomacy across the continent. Currently, Mauritius maintains a limited number of diplomatic missions in Africa, with embassies or high commissions in countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa. Establishing more diplomatic missions would amplify Mauritius’s voice and presence. Additionally, addressing misconceptions about Mauritius being an offshore tax haven is crucial. This requires political and diplomatic engagement, as well as increased trade missions to enhance visibility. Mauritius has made progress in its legal system, positioning itself as a hub for arbitration and dispute resolution. However, connectivity remains an issue; the country is not sufficiently linked to the continent, hindering interaction. Improving flight networks is strategic, necessary and urgent. For example, the infrequency and unreliability of direct flights from Kenya to Mauritius often force travelers to route through Dubai, which is illogical and inefficient. Furthermore, Mauritius should invite African corporates to the island, showcasing its achievements and fostering high-level dialogues. Peer-to-peer engagements can reveal synergies and promote investment. Hosting regular forums focused on the private sector, similar to the Africa Singapore Business Forum, could be beneficial. Consistency is key; establishing an annual or biennial event would allow stakeholders to plan and participate effectively. Focusing on the private sector rather than government entities would likely yield more tangible business outcomes.
What message do you have for investors considering the Mauritian market?
Mauritius offers several lessons for the continent. Firstly, it manages smooth governmental transitions, reflecting political stability. Policy predictability is another hallmark, providing investors with a stable framework for long-term investments. The development of a robust professional services sector—including financial services, management companies, banks, insurance firms, and law practices—creates a conducive ecosystem for business operations. Planned physical infrastructure development, exemplified by areas like Ébène, demonstrates strategic growth. Despite some traffic challenges, the overall sense of planning is evident. Moreover, Mauritius’s diverse society, encompassing various ethnicities and religions, functions cohesively. And I think that’s quite an important thing which many of us need to develop on the continent. A sense of national pride and national vision. I think that’s something else you can learn from Mauritius.
