Africa offers significant opportunities for global expansion using franchise and distribution strategies across a range of sectors, such as retail, hospitality, leisure, education, healthcare and commercial and domestic services. Dentons will help you exploit these opportunities and understand the local regulations surrounding distribution of goods and services across the continent.

Our franchise and distribution team combines broad international experience with local legal knowledge, delivered by our associated firms spanning Africa's Arabic, English, French and Portuguese-speaking regions.

Franchising

In emerging markets such as Africa, franchising has long been recognized as the preferred method of expansion for many companies. Franchising is a flexible and low-risk strategic tool that enables businesses to grow in emerging markets at a faster pace, but it is not well understood in many African countries. The Africa Franchise team at Dentons can advise on the full range of legal issues facing franchise companies in Africa, including:

• Franchise Disclosure Documents
• Technology Transfer Laws
• Foreign Currency Controls
• Withholding taxes
• Registration
• Master Franchise and Unit Franchise Agreements and Area Development Contracts
• Franchise Dispute Resolution
• Local law compliance
• Competition law compliance

Whether you are a sophisticated global franchisor looking at new markets or a company that is planning to use franchising strategically to test the African market for its product, we can advise on your franchise expansion throughout Africa.

Distribution

The common market in Europe provides outstanding opportunities for the free movement of goods across 27 EU member states. We can advise you on the full range of legal issues that affect the distribution of your products and services in the European Union, such as:

• Selective Distribution
• Exclusive Distribution
• Multi Channel Strategies
• Territory Buy Backs
• Concession Agreements
• Competition law compliance
• Product import/export
• E-Commerce

We stand ready to assist you in structuring distribution channels and implementing your strategy around the globe. Our lawyers apply their insight to the review, drafting and negotiation of distribution, franchise, marketing and supply agreements and other related documentation, and tailor these to your specific objectives.

What's more, we can assist when disputes arise surrounding franchising and distribution matters, as well as with related trademark and competition law issues.

Insights

The impact of the coronavirus crisis on the franchise industry and what franchisors and franchisees can do to survive

March 31, 2020

Economic predictions suggest that the coronavirus crisis will cause a significant global recession.

The Gaming industry in South Africa

January 30, 2018

Since 2013 the video game industry has been competing against the film industry, growing its global revenues and job creation each year. The video game industry has developed into a lucrative commercial market, demanding substantial, and somewhat robust, legal protection in its creative works. In this article, we provide an overview of some of the key regulatory issues the gaming industry faces in South Africa.

Franchise agreements under the South African Consumer Protection Act

June 29, 2017

Prior to the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (the CPA), there was no specific piece of legislation that regulated franchises. In this article, we provide a brief overview of some important aspects related to the regulation of franchises under the CPA.

View all insights for Franchising and Distribution in Africa

News and Events

Recent Press Releases

Dentons advises on launch of Circle K franchise in South Africa

September 28, 2022

Global law firm Dentons has advised Millat Convenience (Pty) Ltd. on a master license agreement with Circle K Procurement and Brands Limited, which grants Millat the exclusive right to open and operate Circle K franchises throughout South Africa for a period of 30 years.

Kenya Red Cross applauds Dentons for its help in restructuring Kenyan hotel

April 20, 2021

Global law firm Dentons has provided pro-bono advice to the Kenya Red Cross on concluding management contracts for three hotels in Kenya, with Aleph Hospitality.The three hotels, operating under the Boma brand (Boma Nairobi, Boma Inn Nairobi and Boma Inn Eldoret), are owned by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) through its Boma Pan African subsidiary.