‘ Benefits of digital economy for Nigeria and Africa are enormous’
Adedapo Tunde- Olowu ( SAN)
is the Managing Partner of AELEX and the head of the firm’s Dispute Resolution Group. He is also a member of the firm’s Transportation, and Banking and Finance Practice Groups. He advises clients from around the world on direct or portfolio foreign investment and legal issues relating to insolvency, receivership and corporate liquidation. He also represents international flag carriers in matters ranging from passenger, cargo and baggage claims to insurance disputes. In this interview with JOSEPH ONYEKWERE regarding the firm’s yearly lecture, he declares that the benefits of digital economy for Nigeria and Africa are enormous. Tell us about the AELEX yearly lecture and its objectives?
THE AELEX lecture series was pioneered after the creation of the Firm in 2004, to not only participate in the conversations surrounding change in Africa, but to be leaders, shaping the course and discourse on these changes.
It has always been our Firm’s belief that the delivery of comprehensive legal services to our clients cannot be exclusive of the continuous changes in Africa’s economic, educational, political and social spheres. Being a Firm of our stature, with an active social and communal mindset that the good of our society and nation( s) impacts directly on client and societal well being, it was a foregone conclusion that we needed to play our part in contributing to society which is how this lecture series was born.
Would you say these objectives have been achieved over the years?
Yes, we believe it has. The AELEX lecture series has enjoyed tremendous success and has since become one of the most insightful and educational projects to look forward to in the legal calendar of yearly events.
It has drawn world leaders, and captains of industry to propose lasting solutions to common problems that plague our society today. The impact of the lecture series is such that it has been widely replicated throughout the legal profession.
Are there instances where the conversations and engagements at the yearly lectures have led to significant policy changes, whether as direct or indirect fallouts of the lecture?
Yes, there have been many direct and indirect fallouts from our annual lectures. All the conversations on various topics at our lectures have been one more collection of voices moving the needle forward for our society. Both our lecture speakers and participants are consistently drivers of industry who are able to, a n d have in m a n y instances implemented the takeaways from these lectures. We have also ensured that we publicise massively post event, so that the public can glean the key learnings from the lectures and apply them in their individual sectors and positions.
From the first lecture in 2005 – 2022, the firm has indeed had a plethora of profound discussions on critical issues impacting the development of Nigeria and Africa at large. These topics range from “The Regulator in a Deregulated Economy”- ( 2005); “Competition Policy as an Engine for Economic Growth”- ( 2006); “Corporate Governance: Who profits?” ( 2007); “Freedom of information: Balancing the Public’s right to know against the individual’s right to privacy” ( 2008); “How Ghana Kept the Lights On” ( 2009); “Corruption, the Thief in Broad Daylight” ( 2011); “Taxation without Representation”( 2010); “This House Must Not Fall: Constitutional Reform and the People’s Will” - ( 2012); “In God’s Name: Politics, Religion and Economic Development” ( 2013). Others are: “Lagos: Urban infrastructure- lessons from the international community for Nigeria and Africa.” ( 2014); Politics, Democracy & Ethnicity ( 2015); “Making States Work” ( 2016); “Schooling Without Learning” ( 2017); “Strong Men Vs. Strong Institutions” ( 2019); and “The Nigeria We Want: Economic, Political & Social Justice”( 2021). All our lectures have been very impactful.
Tell us about the 2022 theme and what informed the choice of this year’s topic?
Just like all others before it, the lecture arrives at a timeous moment in our society’s history: with recent events like the adoption of ( and arguments against cryptocurrency, the widespread of digital banking and banking the unbanked, the exponential growth in and reliance on technology tec for the advancement of all facets of living, this year’s ye theme- “Digital Economy: Africa’s catalyst for regional region growth and transformation” is most auspicious.
The theme seems to be a statement of fact. What should we expect from the speakers?
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We do not believe be that there are many arguments that can be successfully successf made against the positives that digitalisation and in particular, the operation of a digital economy, has brought b ( and can bring) to Africa and the world at large. large Our speakers on the topic this year are hand- picked veterans v of the digital industry and our audience can expect a very insightful, invigorating, expository and practical discourse about the digital economy in Africa and a how it impacts all our lives.
Who are some event?
As always, we have h assembled a stellar cast to discuss this years’ topic. The Th wealth of knowledge and experience of the selected panel pa will enrich the discussion as it relates to digital technology techn as a fundamental force for change in Africa, helping helpi to support economic growth, deepen democratic governance, gov and expand civil society engagement.
The speakers speaker include Oswald Osaretin Guobadia; SSA to President P on Digital Transformation, Dawn Dimowo; Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager, Google, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; A DG/ CEO, National Information Technology Te Development Agency, while Dr Segun S Aina, OFR; President, Fintech Association A of Nigeria will be the panel moderator. m
of the speakers/ panelists at this year’s
A Are there Corporate Social Responsibility ( C CSR) activities the firm is involved in? If so so, how does this fit into the vision of the fi firm?
In tandem with our reputation for impacting in the development of both legal and social so changes, the firm is actively involved in effecting societal change through our
CSR activities and Pro bono services. One of our notable CSR is our agelong partnership with the Child Lifeline ( CLL) initiative, which has existed from the very first year that the firm was founded. CLL is a non- profit, charitable association founded to help children living on their own on the streets.
The foundation gets them back into full- time education or vocational training, provides them with daily meals, counselling and family tracing. The children are cared for until they can be reunited with family or until they complete their chosen course of study or training. We also provide career mentorship to young lawyers and students, start- up legal assistance to many fledgling companies and pro bono services that ensure access to justice and adequate representation to persons that would be unable to afford it.
We do not believe that there are many arguments that can be successfully made against the positives that digitalisation and in particular, the operation of a digital economy, has brought ( and can bring) to Africa and the world at large. Our speakers on the topic this year are hand- picked veterans of the digital industry and our audience can expect a very insightful, invigorating, expository and practical discourse about the digital economy in Africa and how it impacts all our lives.