We are looking for a Legal and Compliance Counsel to join our Legal group; as we scale up and drive digital and financial inclusion across our markets.

The main purpose of the jobholder is to provide commercial, legal and compliance advice to M-KOPA's

South African operations, while also supporting the M-KOPA Group's broader legal and compliance functions.

In this role you will be responsible for the following;

Giving accurate and timely counsel to the business in a variety of legal topics including regulations, licensing, compliance, labor law, corporate transactions, commercial matters, data privacy, intellectual property among others.

Providing day to day advice on data privacy matters as well as supporting M-KOPA’s data protection team to implement broader strategic initiatives, conduct data privacy audits, support the Company’s record of processing activities, conducting privacy impact and similar assessments, in addition to implementing new initiatives.

You'll be helping manage disputes and court cases. Anticipating and managing legal and compliance risks connected with or resulting from the company's business strategy and operations. Monitoring changes in relevant legal and regulatory environment and taking appropriate action including overseeing the systems/processes that ensure the Group complies with all applicable regulations.

About Us

Our goal is to make financing for everyday essentials accessible to everyone.

M-KOPA offers financing for ‘Every Day Earners’ across Africa. Our relationship with customers begins with an initial loan for a smartphone, designed around their earning patterns.

Using a robust AI – Machine Learning model, we build individualised credit histories for customers throughout the repayment of their first loan. Based on this information, we then finance additional digital and financial products like digital loans, health insurance, and data bundles through our mobile app.

With operations in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa, M-KOPA has provided over $1 billion in credit and reached 5 million customers. M-KOPA was named one of the FT’s Fastest Growing Companies in Africa three-years in a row, and one of TIME Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies in the world in 2024 and 2023.

This is a hybrid role, you would be working from our offices in Johannesburg South Africa partnering with a diverse group of employees from our different markets and locations across the UK, Europe and Africa. You will be reporting to the Head of Commercial Legal.

Expertise required for this role;

• LL.B degree in Law with extensive post qualification experience, ideally in a regional or international law firm, or as in-house counsel in financial services, consumer lending, or financial technology companies.
• Strong team player who can work under pressure in a fast paced, dynamic environment with the ability to adapt to change.
• Must be admitted an Attorney in South Africa.
• Strong legal experience with a mixture of exposure to corporate, commercial, disputes, compliance and data privacy matters. Experience specifically with the National Credit Act/National Credit Regulations a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a strong English command.

Why M-KOPA?

At M-KOPA, we empower our people to own their careers through diverse development programs, coaching partnerships, and on-the-job training. We support individual journeys with family-friendly policies, prioritize well-being, and embrace flexibility.

Join us in shaping the future of M-KOPA as we grow together. Explore more at m-kopa.com.

Recognized thrice by the Financial Times as one Africa's fastest growing companies (2022, 2023 and 2024) and by TIME100 Most influential companies in the world 2023 and 2024 , we've served over 5 million customers, unlocking $1.5 billion in cumulative credit for the unbanked across Africa.

Important Notice

M-KOPA is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained staff. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

M-KOPA explicitly prohibits the use of Forced or Child Labour and respects the rights of its employees to agree to terms and conditions of employment voluntarily, without coercion, and freely terminate their employment on appropriate notice. M-KOPA shall ensure that its Employees are of legal working age and shall comply with local laws for youth employment or student work, such as internships or apprenticeships.

M-KOPA does not collect/charge any money as a pre-employment or post-employment requirement. This means that we never ask for ‘recruitment fees’, ‘processing fees’, ‘interview fees’, or any other kind of money in exchange for offer letters or interviews at any time during the hiring process.