SISAY LUCHE
Addis Ababa
Summary
A highly dedicated corporate law and governance professional and consultant with over 17 years of experience ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across the Ethiopian and Ghanaian markets. I bring extensive expertise in managing corporate policies, assessing operational efficiency, and analyzing legal, commercial, and market risks to support informed decision-making. During my tenure at Diageo, I played a pivotal leadership role in regulatory engagement, fostering strong relationships with government agencies, industry regulators, and key stakeholders to drive compliance strategies and shape policy discussions. Beyond the corporate sphere, I have actively contributed to community initiatives and collaborated with law enforcement agencies to promote corporate integrity, regulatory transparency, and responsible business practices. Recognized for my leadership, risk-mitigation expertise, and strategic insight, I have a strong track record in regulatory compliance, records management, tax administration, brand protection, and corporate security. With a detail-oriented approach, I excel in supporting client workflows, maintaining accuracy under pressure, and navigating complex legal and operational processes. I am confident that my skills and experience will be an asset to any corporate environment.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations and Legal Director (GM)
East Africa Gate (EAGate) Consulting
Addis Ababa
11.2024 - Current
- Spearhead operational strategies to enhance efficiency, optimize workflows, and drive business performance across multiple sectors
- Implement corporate policies, governance frameworks, and risk management strategies to ensure compliance with Ethiopian and regional regulatory standards
- Oversee legal strategy, contract negotiations, corporate structuring, dispute resolution, and M&A transactions to drive sustainable business growth
- Lead feasibility studies, political and security risk assessments, and market entry strategies to support investment decisions and regional expansion
- Foster public-private sector engagement, facilitating policy dialogue and regulatory collaboration to enhance Ethiopia's business environment
- Develop and implement business development services (BDS) programs, enhancing local enterprise competitiveness and market access
- Drive strategic partnerships and B2B engagement, identifying growth opportunities and strengthening EAGate's regional presence
- Establish and manage multinational operations across Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti, Rwanda, and beyond, ensuring cohesive execution of corporate strategy
- Champion corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including sustainable development programs and environmental impact assessments
- Lead and mentor high-performing legal and operations teams, fostering a culture of innovation, compliance, and excellence
Executive Legal Director
East Africa Holding
Addis Ababa
03.2024 - 10.2024
- Providing legal advice and guidance to senior management, Board, negotiating and drafting contracts, ensuring compliance with laws and regulations, and representing company in legal proceedings
- Lead and supervise legal team
- Set goals and objectives for legal department, hire and train legal talent, design and execute legal strategy for organization
- Identify and analyze legal risks and opportunities, advise senior management and board of directors
- Oversee drafting, reviewing, and negotiating of contracts and agreements
- Ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations, monitor changes and developments in legal environment
- Implement and enforce internal governance and ethical standards
- Review and advise shareholders in JV arrangements, represent organization in legal disputes and/or litigation
Executive Head of Legal
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
02.2022 - 03.2024
- Provided comprehensive end-to-end legal support and business partnership to various departments across the organization, ensuring alignment with legal requirements and business objectives
- Led major contract negotiations, including Infrastructure Sharing and Interconnect Agreements, optimizing terms and mitigating legal risks
- Drafted and executed a wide range of IT and system-related agreements, offering legal guidance on systems, software, and technology matters
- Prepared detailed legal briefs and provided strategic counsel on tax compliance, ensuring the organization adhered to applicable tax laws and regulations
- Onboarded trade development managed service providers, collaborating with enterprise business and supply chain management teams to deliver seamless legal support for daily operations
- Oversaw and managed relationships with both local and international law firms, ensuring effective legal representation and strategic advice
- Reviewed and provided legal input on HR policies, ensuring compliance with employment laws and organizational best practices
- Led legal due diligence for onboarding new shareholders, ensuring compliance with relevant legal and regulatory frameworks
- Reviewed customer credit proposals and approved them as a member of the Credit Committee, ensuring alignment with company policies and risk management standards
- Contributed to the Risk and Compliance Committee, providing legal expertise to guide the organization's risk management and compliance strategy
Legal Director and Company Secretary
DIAGEO-ETHIOPIA-META ABO BREWERY
Addis Ababa
12.2014 - 02.2022
- Led corporate legal affairs and provided comprehensive company secretariat services, ensuring legal compliance and smooth organizational operations
- Represented the company in litigation matters, managing civil and labor disputes while ensuring full compliance with Diageo's global policies and processes
- Reviewed and approved marketing activities and trade terms, ensuring with legal and regulatory standards
- Spearheaded innovation standardization and certification efforts, ensuring registration and compliance with industry standards
- Managed document retention and tax compliance, ensuring the organization adhered to legal and financial reporting requirements
- Assessed and mitigated risks related to fraudulent activities, leading key control meetings and establishing robust processes for risk management
- Oversaw capital registration and foreign loan processing, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and laws
- Led corporate security and brand protection initiatives, safeguarding assets and intellectual property
- Managed and negotiated lease arrangements, ensuring favorable terms and legal compliance
- Liaised with corporate relations to ensure smooth communication and with business stakeholders
- Led the communication of regulatory updates to the business, ensuring the organization stayed informed of key legal and regulatory changes
- Seconded to the position of Legal Director and Company Secretary for Diageo Ghana, overseeing critical legal and governance functions across a key African market
- Successfully closed over 20 litigations, collectively worth more than USD Seven(7)Million achieving favorable outcomes for the company
- Led the M&A process through the successful transfer of shares to Castel Group, navigating complex tax disputes and ensuring resolution of legal and financial matters
Legal Counsel
POLY-GCL Petroleum Investments Ethiopia Ltd
Addis Ababa
04.2014 - 11.2014
- Led corporate legal affairs and provided comprehensive company secretariat services, ensuring legal compliance and smooth organizational operations
- Represented the company in litigation matters, managing civil and labor disputes while ensuring full compliance with Diageo's global policies and processes
- Reviewed and approved marketing activities and trade terms, ensuring with legal and regulatory standards
- Spearheaded innovation standardization and certification efforts, ensuring registration and compliance with industry standards
- Managed document retention and tax compliance, ensuring the organization adhered to legal and financial reporting requirements
- Managed all legal matters related to the company's petroleum exploration activities, providing strategic legal guidance across key business functions
- Led the planning, negotiation, and drafting of Joint Petroleum Sharing Agreements (PSA), ensuring alignment with both regulatory frameworks and business objectives
- Represented the company in court, arbitration proceedings, and other legal forums, protecting the company's interests in a range of disputes
- Actively participated in tendering activities, ensuring legal compliance and contributing to the successful execution of contracts
- Engaged in public and private Joint Venture (JV) negotiations, securing terms and establishing strong working relationships with stakeholders
- Managed corporate relations with regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with local laws and facilitating smooth interactions with government entities
- Oversaw the review, negotiation, and signing of the Joint Petroleum Sharing Agreement (JPSA) between the government and the company, ensuring legal and operational alignment
Legal Researcher
Justice and Legal System Research Institute
Addis Ababa
06.2012 - 03.2014
- Conducted in-depth legal research to support government policymakers, regulators, and legislators in the development and refinement of legal frameworks
- Contributed to the legal research process for the amendment of the Commercial Code, focusing on streamlining and modernizing key provisions
- Analyzed and conducted extensive legal research on a wide range of topics, including the incorporation of international child rights into Ethiopian law, constitutional interpretation, arbitration law, and the legislative process and its enforceability
Business Law Instructor
Alfurqan national college
Alem-Gena
11.2007 - 05.2012
- Taught courses in business law, human rights, and civic education to law and business students, fostering a comprehensive understanding of legal principles in a business context
- Established and led the Legal Department at the college, overseeing the development and implementation of the law curriculum in collaboration with an external consultancy firm to ensure academic excellence and relevance
Freelancer
Private Practice
Addis Ababa
11.2007 - 05.2012
- Conducted comprehensive legal research, providing essential insights to support case strategies and legal arguments
- Drafted a wide range of legal documents, including contracts, pleadings, and legal opinions, ensuring clarity and compliance with applicable laws
- Supported client management by assisting in communication and providing timely legal updates on case progress
- Assisted with case management, organizing case files, and preparing documentation for trials and hearings
- Drafted well-researched legal opinions, offering sound legal advice to senior attorneys and clients
Education
LL. M - International Economic Law (not completed)
University of South Africa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia02.2025
LL. B - Domestic and International Laws
Mekelle University
Mekelle, Ethiopia07.2007
Skills
- Social Engineering Red Flags
- Corporate Governance
- ESG
- Learning GDPR
- Intellectual Property
- Corporate Strategy
- Basic Computer Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Internet Security and Privacy
- Cloud and Collaboration Tools
- Business Development
- Business Negotiation
Languages
- Amharic, Native
- English, Proficient
- Oromifa, Beginner
Timeline
Operations and Legal Director (GM)
East Africa Gate (EAGate) Consulting
11.2024 - Current
Executive Legal Director
East Africa Holding
03.2024 - 10.2024
Executive Head of Legal
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia
02.2022 - 03.2024
Legal Director and Company Secretary
DIAGEO-ETHIOPIA-META ABO BREWERY
12.2014 - 02.2022
Legal Counsel
POLY-GCL Petroleum Investments Ethiopia Ltd
04.2014 - 11.2014
Legal Researcher
Justice and Legal System Research Institute
06.2012 - 03.2014
Business Law Instructor
Alfurqan national college
11.2007 - 05.2012
Freelancer
Private Practice
11.2007 - 05.2012
LL. M - International Economic Law (not completed)
University of South Africa
LL. B - Domestic and International Laws
Mekelle University
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