PolicIQ, a new policy–tech advisory and compliance intelligence firm, has officially launched in Abuja with a mission to ensure that regulation never becomes the reason African innovation fails.
Tech startups in Nigeria are grappling with significant regulatory challenges that affect their growth and sustainability due to complex compliance requirements.
The fragmented regulatory environment, characterized by multiple government agencies, imposes licensing burdens and compliance complexities on startups. Many startups lack dedicated compliance officers, which further exacerbates their struggles to meet evolving regulations including data protection and cybersecurity laws.
In fact, recent surveys indicate that 24 per cent of Nigerian fintechs find navigating the regulatory environment a major challenge, while 18 per cent struggle with compliance, and 70 per cent do not have dedicated compliance officers. The introduction of new regulations, such as the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023, and evolving cybersecurity laws increase compliance requirements for startups.
According to Mr Abdullah Tijani, the Managing Partner at PolicIQ, the firm will help tackle this and help organisations and investors to navigate regulatory minefields and scale their operations by combining legal expertise, regulatory foresight, and technology-driven insights, PolicIQ turns compliance from a barrier into a competitive edge.
“Too many brilliant companies stumble, not because their ideas are weak, but because they overlook the legal and regulatory obligations that already apply to them,” he said, adding that, “Our job is to give startups, corporates, and investors the clarity they need to scale with confidence.”
As artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies transform industries across Africa—from fintech and healthtech to education and mobility—businesses face growing scrutiny from regulators. Existing legal frameworks, such as data protection, consumer rights, and corporate filings, are already being enforced, and the consequences of non-compliance can be swift and severe.
PolicIQ’s services include tracking and analyzing policy changes before they impact businesses; tailored strategies to stay investor-ready and regulator-proof; and practical guidance on corporate filings, data protection, and sector-specific compliance.
It also offers capacity building training interested organizations and agencies on how to embed compliance into their everyday operations.The firm has positioned itself at the intersection of policy, law, and technology, filling a gap in Africa’s innovation ecosystem where regulation is often misunderstood or treated as an afterthought.
PolicIQ’s approach frames compliance not as a burden, but as a strategic advantage that builds trust with investors, regulators, and customers.