Africa Legal Associates (ALA), one of Ghana’s leading corporate and commercial law firms, today, Tuesday, 18 November 2025, marked its 10th anniversary with a high-level Business Breakfast Meeting at the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, under the theme: “From Accra to Africa: Turning AfCFTA Promise into Commercial Growth for Ghanaian Companies.”
The event brought together senior executives, top lawyers, policymakers, business leaders, development finance institutions, and partners across the continent to reflect on ALA’s decade-long journey and the evolving role of Pan-African law firms in the AfCFTA era.
Founded in 2015 by Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko and Nana Adjoa Hackman, ALA has grown into a respected corporate legal powerhouse with a strong footprint in finance, energy, infrastructure, technology, investment readiness advisory, and international business transactions.
In his keynote remarks, Senior Managing Partner Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko traced the firm’s journey, paying tribute to mentors, early supporters, clients, and partners.
Mr. Otchere-Darko urged African law firms to unite to build a robust, pan-African legal infrastructure capable of supporting the continent’s rapidly growing single market.
He reflected on the firm’s decade-long journey and the personal experiences that shaped it. “Today marks 10 years of ALA, and in many ways, the journey began long before the firm itself,” he said.
The ALA co-founder recounted the events that encouraged him to return to Ghana nearly 25 years ago, including advice from family, friends, and mentors.
He also shared humorous anecdotes about his early days in law school and journalism, including meeting the woman who would become his wife—initially his student tutor—and working with his longtime mentor.
According to Otchere-Darko, the idea of establishing Africa Legal Associates was seeded over casual conversations among close friends who jokingly referred to themselves as the “Coffee Shop Mafia.” Planning for the firm began in a room provided by a family member at the Family Ventures building.
He credited several senior legal practitioners for their guidance and encouragement, which helped transform the idea into a full-fledged law practice.
Mr. Otchere-Darko revealed that ALA was built on a conscious decision to minimize involvement in protracted litigation, which he believes often denies clients timely justice. He described traditional litigation in Ghana as a process “that often frustrates justice,” citing frequent adjournments and systemic delays.
“Corporate clients deserve to focus on their core business—not to spend years locked in court battles. Where possible, solving the client’s problem without litigation is also a form of justice,” the Senior Partner of ALA indicated. This approach, he said, has been instrumental in the firm’s growth.
ALA’s expansion
He also highlighted key milestones in ALA’s expansion, including global advisory appointments and partnerships with leading African legal minds such as Olasupo Shasore, SAN of Nigeria, a partner at Africa Law Practice, and a Senior Counsel, as well as serving as the Chair of CWEIC’s Nigeria Advisory Board. These, he said, deepened the firm’s commitment to building a Pan-African network.
“What brought our firms together is a shared vision: to build a truly Pan-African legal practice,” he emphasized. MR. Otchere-Darko criticized the long-standing practice of outsourcing foremost African commercial transactions, some worth over US$100 million, to European or American law firms, which often rely on local African lawyers while keeping the bulk of the fees.
He argued that as Africa moves toward economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), the continent’s legal professionals must also integrate and strengthen their collaboration.
Over the past decade, ALA has consolidated its Pan-African vision through Africa Law Practice International (ALPi), a commercial law network spanning 10 African countries with a growing Caribbean presence in Georgetown, Guyana.
The firm also announced that ALPi is finalising preparations to open a new greenfield office in Luanda, Angola, expanding its presence into Southern Africa’s second-largest economy.
Goodwill messages
Giving his keynote address, Olasupo Shasore, Senior Partner, ALP Nigeria and Co, commended ALA on the milestone and hailed the partnership that exists between ALP Nigeria and ALA. He pointed out that he is looking forward to future exploits between ALP and ALA.
In a goodwill message, Lord Marland of Odstock, the Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, of which ALA is a strategic partner, commended the ALA team for building such a formidable law firm within a decade and encouraged them to take full advantage of the AfCFTA and the Commonwealth, especially with its growing network. ALA is also a member of the Commonwealth Legal Network, of which Mr Otchere-Darko co-chairs.
Enduring Support
Nana Adjoa Hackman, co-founder and Managing Partner of ALA, highlighted the firm’s journey and acknowledged the clients, colleagues, and partners who have supported the firm since its inception.
Addressing the gathering that included senior members of the Ghana Bar Association, business leaders, and key stakeholders from the finance and legal sectors, Hackman reflected on ALA’s growth from its early days in Labone to its status as a globally recognized law firm.
“Somehow, we probably did something right. So, we are here today, and we think we’ll continue to be here in the coming years,” she said.
Ms Hackman described the firm’s realisation that legal practice is, at its core, a business. She recalled, “Two years into the life of ALA, I was seated at my desk trying to put together an end-of-year report, and it suddenly struck me—it’s a business like any other.
“Up until then, we had been very focused on delivering for our clients, but lawyers often get absorbed in the work and forget to look at the strategic growth of the firms they run.”
The firm has also focused on thought leadership and community engagement over the past year. Hackman highlighted initiatives including webinars on dispute resolution under the AfCFTA, innovative financing, and joint ventures in land transactions.
ALA associates have engaged with the public through radio appearances, educating citizens on road traffic regulations and the rights of vehicle owners. The firm has also explored emerging issues such as trust and risk in the era of artificial intelligence and plans to host an ESG session before year-end.
ALA commitment
Head of Commerce at Africa Legal Associates (ALA), Ebow Brew-Hammond, has reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to delivering commercially focused legal solutions as the firm marks a decade of operations and looks ahead to expanded influence across the continent.
Brew-Hammond noted that in recent years, ALA—now part of the ALP International (ALPi) network—has earned recognition in the Legal 500 Global Rankings, specifically for its strength in Corporate & Commercial, Mergers & Acquisitions, and Dispute Resolution.
He attributed this recognition to the firm’s core philosophy of prioritizing practical, business-friendly outcomes for clients.
“At the heart of our practice is a simple ethos: we get it done. Solutions drive us. We focus on results so our clients can pursue their ambitions with confidence,” he said.
About Africa Legal Associates (ALA)
Africa Legal Associates (ALA) is a corporate and commercial law firm headquartered in Accra, Ghana.
The firm specialises in investment law, energy, financial services, technology, infrastructure, mergers & acquisitions, dispute resolution, and international business.
ALA is a key member of the Africa Law Practice International (ALPi) Group, with a presence in 10 African countries and Guyana, the Caribbean.
