Brussels-based Afriwise expands its footprint in Africa with the acquisition of South Africa’s LawExplorer, enhancing AI-driven legal research across 40+ jurisdictions.
Afriwise, founded in 2018 by Steven De Backer, offers an AI-powered platform that aggregates legal expertise from over 180 law firms. The acquisition of LawExplorer—an established South African legal research provider—enables Afriwise to deepen its coverage and local know‑how across key African markets.
South Africa, where Afriwise will launch its first fully AI-driven research portal this September, serves as a springboard for further roll‑outs across the continent. The integrated platform allows M&A and compliance teams to track legislation and regulatory changes in real time, mitigating risks for Belgian companies pursuing African growth opportunities.
The €X‑million deal is funded through a mix of debt and fresh equity after a €3.7 million funding round in late 2024, backed by investors including Belgian holding Texaf and Luxembourg entrepreneur Bob Kneip. Early supporters also feature Jacques Emsens (Sibelco, Aliaxis), Bart Sobry and Christophe de Limburg Stirum.
With 2024 revenues near €2 million and projected growth of 70–80% in 2025, Afriwise is on track to cement its position as a leading international legaltech player in emerging markets.
