Global South Africa IT & Telecommunications

Bowmans has a distinguished practice group with leading expertise across a wide range of IT and telecommunications matters. The team is widely respected for its aptitude for M&A in this sector; it has significant experience assisting clients with the regulatory aspects of transactions. The firm is renowned for its work with internet service providers, financial institutions and telecommunications players, with major clients drawn from across the African continent in addition to its deep client base of South African companies. It is further praised for its track record advising on the construction of data centres, transitional services and commercial arrangements, as well as integrated IT services, with notable knowledge relating to spectrum and network sharing. Bowmans is also active on mandates relating to fintech.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) houses a high-profile practice group commended for its depth of experience in handling a wide range of complex technology matters. The team offers extensive expertise in assisting major telecommunications providers, technology companies and leading financial institutions, and also has a growing practice in the healthcare and retail sectors. The firm is increasingly active on novel areas of IT, such as fintech, as well as assisting clients with licensing and software development. It has an excellent track record in relation to outsourcing transactions, data protection and privacy law matters, such as the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

Webber Wentzel is highly regarded for its ability to handle significant regulatory and licensing issues in the telecommunications space, with additional expertise in contentious matters. The firm offers leading experience in the technology sector, with acknowledged proficiency in outsourcing transactions, corporate governance, fintech financing arrangements and data protection. The team has also been instructed to advise on major transactions involving telecoms and technology players, with the support of its leading corporate practice group to draw upon. It acts for an impressive range of clients in the sector, including operators and service providers, as well as financial institutions.

ENSafrica is a well-known law firm with a growing presence in the IT and telecommunications space in South Africa. Its client roster features mobile network operators, public bodies and government parastatals, banking institutions and financial service providers, among others. The team is experienced handling high-value outsourcing transactions and service agreements, with strong expertise in technology partnerships, data privacy and online payment systems, as well as in the sector's regulatory regime.

Lighthouse Law is a notable boutique law firm in Cape Town with considerable standing in South Africa's legal IT space. The team possesses broad-ranging transactional expertise, covering all manner of service and development agreements, such as data migrations and outsourcing. It also provides counsel on regulatory concerns and disputes in the area, with a client roster featuring a number of food and drink producers and distributors, and financial service providers.