In an entrepreneurial environment still characterized by administrative complexity, legal uncertainty, and limited access to reliable legal information, OKAPI HOLDING launched Julisha Legal in 2017.

Julisha Legal is our legal awareness and advisory service, dedicated to decision-makers, entrepreneurs, startups, and SMEs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

A Response to a Concrete Field-Based Need

Julisha Legal was born out of a shared observation among entrepreneurs and public decision-makers:

• difficulties in understanding and anticipating applicable legal and regulatory frameworks;

• the high or ill-adapted cost of traditional legal services;

• the lack of legal pedagogy tailored to the realities of SMEs and innovative projects.

Julisha Legal was therefore designed as a bridge between law, business, and public authorities, with a practical, solution-oriented approach, grounded in real-world entrepreneurial needs.

An Innovative Approach to Legal Advisory

Since its inception, Julisha Legal has been guided by three core principles:

🔹 Accessibility
Law is explained in clear, plain language, without unnecessary legal jargon, enabling entrepreneurs to make informed decisions.

🔹 Pragmatism
Proposed solutions take into account local constraints, including administrative realities, market practices, and the maturity level of businesses.

🔹 Anticipation
Julisha Legal supports entrepreneurs upstream of legal risks, preventing legal issues from escalating into costly disputes.

Our Areas of Intervention

Since 2017, Julisha Legal has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs and organizations on issues such as:

• Business formalization (articles of association, corporate acts, governance);

• Business and contract law;

• Legal structuring of startups and SMEs;

• Corporate governance and shareholder relations;

• Awareness-raising on intellectual property and intangible assets;

• Legal support for innovative and impact-driven projects.

Key Achievements Since 2017

Among Julisha Legal’s major achievements:

• contribution to the legal structuring of numerous startups and SMEs in the DRC;

• production of educational legal content for entrepreneurs and public decision-makers;

• participation in training programs, workshops, and entrepreneurship support initiatives, as well as in public policy development processes;

• involvement in digital initiatives aimed at democratizing access to law, notably through impact-driven platforms.

Julisha Legal has also contributed to the launch and development of innovative projects such as Avocats.cd, thereby strengthening the local legaltech ecosystem.

Julisha Legal Today

Today, Julisha Legal is part of a broader dynamic of private sector support, working closely with:

• startups and SMEs;

• incubators and innovation hubs;

• development institutions and technical and financial partners.

Our ambition remains unchanged since 2017:
to equip entrepreneurs with the legal tools they need to create, structure, and grow sustainable businesses.

Looking Ahead

Julisha Legal aims to further strengthen its role as a bridge between law, entrepreneurship, and public policy, while expanding its training and capacity-building activities, in support of a more resilient and secure entrepreneurial ecosystem.