Ariana Issaias
Director | Nairobi
Contact
T: +254 71 569 7959
Overview
Ariana’s practice areas and experience cover commercial and consumer intellectual property advice, data protection and technology background and regularly advises clients across all of these practice areas. She has a wealth of experience advising clients on both demand and supply side on a range of commercial agreements including supply of goods/services, e-commerce payment services and platform integration, fintech (including payment services, digital lending, digital banking, cryptoassets and block chain), software licensing and distribution, (CaaS, PaaS, IaaS and SaaS licensing), cloud services, agency and distribution, franchising, licensing, IP exploitation and brand enforcement, and confidentiality.
She assists clients with regulatory and enforcement advice and has worked extensively with clients in business and product transfers and dealing with the applicable registries to record and complete such transfers. Her specialist knowledge of distribution and licensing frameworks and IP exploitation, both intragroup and external, in technology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial services, hospitality, retail, media, agricultural and service sectors is notable.
Ariana has been spearheading the firm’s emerging technologies thought leadership practice and is a key member of our Emerging Technology and Data Protection Taskforce and has been at the fore of the developments of emerging technology, data protection and privacy and artificial intelligence in Kenya. She and has considerable experience in advising both local and international clients. She has written and spoken extensively on topical issues around this area for local and international clients.
Ariana closely works with our Corporate Investigations team in connection with advisory on data protection breaches, cybercrime reporting requirements, cybercrime offence strategies and incident response mechanisms.
Ariana also conducts regular training for clients on data and data protection, intellectual property considerations in protection and exploitation, emerging technology, AI and related governance issues. She has spoken and written extensively on these areas.
Experience
Commercial IP
- Jack Ma Foundation in connection with the roll-out of its flagship philanthropic programme in Africa focusing on supporting entrepreneurs across the continent. She has been involved in all aspects of the roll-out including platform documentation, media distribution agreements, partner agreements, sponsor arrangements, intellectual property protection, and data privacy advice since inception in 2019;.
- Microsoft (MEA) on cloud security, AI regulation financial services and data protection regulation;
- Google on data privacy, cloud regulation and financial services regulation;
- Ilara Health, a medical technology company providing AI and tech-powered diagnostic equipment to peri-urban healthcare providers in relation to their data protection and privacy compliance requirements;
- Walter Bushnell on its brand protection strategy in respect of potential pan-African product and business launches of its pharmaceutical products.
- Ekaterra BV in relation to ongoing IP and IT ownership, licensing and divesting implications following the acquisition of Liptons Kenya to Browns Investments.
Data Protection and cybersecurity
- A national retailer in data breach mitigation strategy, including incident advisory, data subject notification and regulator engagement.
- A technology company in connection with the roll out of its cybersecurity product and understanding permissible and lawful access requests to data by governmental entities.
- Knight Frank Kenya with their data protection compliance, including provision of training and feedback sessions.
- Tools for Humanity Corporation and Tools for Humanity GmbH (TFH) regarding the proposed offering of a digital identity (World ID) in Kenya including advisory on local regulations applicable to data protection and financial technology.
- AWS on applicable legal framework applicable to encryption technologies and services across several jursidictions.
- Java House Kenya in relation to data protection considerations applicable to its operations including in-store, marketing and organisational systems.
- WPP plc in relation to data protection compliance considerations across various tools and business operations.
- Base Titanium on data protection compliance requirements and supported the company in its engagement with the Kenyan data protection regulator.
- Dunnhumby ltd, a global leader in customer data science, in relation to the offering of in-store media services in Kenya.
- Supporting Bytedance Pte Ltd with its data protection compliance requirements for the Kenyan market.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Microsoft Corp on its review, localisation and roll-out of its Generative AI (Gen-AI) Whitepaper resources and AI Guides for the Public Sector, Procurement, Commercial Enterprises in Kenya and Egypt.
- Uber on the use of generative AI to provide user-support services.
- Partnered with Microsoft to lead cross-sector roundtables on the responsible use of generative AI.
- Ilara Health, a medical technology company providing AI and tech-powered diagnostic equipment to peri-urban healthcare providers in relation to their data protection and privacy compliance requirements.
TMT and Digital Economy (General)
- Microsoft (MEA) on cloud security, cybercrime, AI regulation financial services and data protection regulation.
- Google on data privacy, AI, cloud regulation, cybercrime, and financial services regulation.
- Bytedance Pte.Ltd (TikTok) in respect of a legal assessment on the legal and regulatory framework applicable to Data Protection, Online Content Regulation and Advertising in respect of the intended launch of the Bytedance/TikTok Pangle advertising platform in Kenya.
- IX Africa, a leading data center and colocation facility in providing contract advisory assistance.
- Coinbase in relation to applicable legislative framework on product offerings.
- A local technology provider offering a mobile money wallet solution on its agreements with the software developer and licence agreements with the financial institutions.
- Cavex on its software licence agreements with third parties.
- Standard Bank of Mauritius and Gartner UK on a master cloud services agreement on MCSA in relation to service levels and usage rights.
- NICV on a P2P software development license agreement, SBS software, development and maintenance agreements.
- Apple Distribution on legislative and regulatory overview impacting Apple’s provision of platform services, consumer electronics and products in Kenya.
- A well known financial institution in its software licensing, development and support agreements with a global ICT provider in connection with its regional phased roll out of its digitization mandate.
Franchising
- A hotel owner in connection with its hotel management and franchise negotiations with the LUX hotel group.
- Advising several international brands on Kenyan franchising and IP licensing laws across a multitude of sectors including retail, car rental, healthtech, and agritech.
- Hemingways Collection in connection with operational requirements applicable to IT infrastructure, intellectual property, licensing opportunities, and data protection considerations.
- Oxygen Hub LLC in relation to the roll-out of its transformative medical oxygen infrastructure franchise across SSA.
Awards
- African Legal Awards recognized Ariana for Private Practice Rising Star in 2024.
- Chambers Global ranked Ariana in Band 3 for her work in Fintech in Kenya (2024-2026).
- Ariana was recognised as an IP Rising Star by IP Stars (2024/2025).
‘Ariana has a good balance on the full suite of law in this area and is practical in her advice with the context of Kenya.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Her client service is very good. Ariana is easy to contact and makes herself available.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2024
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Qualifications
- Ariana holds a LLB 2:1 (Hons) from the Manchester University
- LPC Distinction BPP from the School of Law in London.
- CIPP/E
Professional Memberships
- Member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
INSIGHTS
Overview
Ariana’s practice areas and experience cover commercial and consumer intellectual property advice, data protection and technology background and regularly advises clients across all of these practice areas. She has a wealth of experience advising clients on both demand and supply side on a range of commercial agreements including supply of goods/services, e-commerce payment services and platform integration, fintech (including payment services, digital lending, digital banking, cryptoassets and block chain), software licensing and distribution, (CaaS, PaaS, IaaS and SaaS licensing), cloud services, agency and distribution, franchising, licensing, IP exploitation and brand enforcement, and confidentiality.
She assists clients with regulatory and enforcement advice and has worked extensively with clients in business and product transfers and dealing with the applicable registries to record and complete such transfers. Her specialist knowledge of distribution and licensing frameworks and IP exploitation, both intragroup and external, in technology, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, financial services, hospitality, retail, media, agricultural and service sectors is notable.
Ariana has been spearheading the firm’s emerging technologies thought leadership practice and is a key member of our Emerging Technology and Data Protection Taskforce and has been at the fore of the developments of emerging technology, data protection and privacy and artificial intelligence in Kenya. She and has considerable experience in advising both local and international clients. She has written and spoken extensively on topical issues around this area for local and international clients.
Ariana closely works with our Corporate Investigations team in connection with advisory on data protection breaches, cybercrime reporting requirements, cybercrime offence strategies and incident response mechanisms.
Ariana also conducts regular training for clients on data and data protection, intellectual property considerations in protection and exploitation, emerging technology, AI and related governance issues. She has spoken and written extensively on these areas.
Experience
Commercial IP
- Jack Ma Foundation in connection with the roll-out of its flagship philanthropic programme in Africa focusing on supporting entrepreneurs across the continent. She has been involved in all aspects of the roll-out including platform documentation, media distribution agreements, partner agreements, sponsor arrangements, intellectual property protection, and data privacy advice since inception in 2019;.
- Microsoft (MEA) on cloud security, AI regulation financial services and data protection regulation;
- Google on data privacy, cloud regulation and financial services regulation;
- Ilara Health, a medical technology company providing AI and tech-powered diagnostic equipment to peri-urban healthcare providers in relation to their data protection and privacy compliance requirements;
- Walter Bushnell on its brand protection strategy in respect of potential pan-African product and business launches of its pharmaceutical products.
- Ekaterra BV in relation to ongoing IP and IT ownership, licensing and divesting implications following the acquisition of Liptons Kenya to Browns Investments.
Data Protection and cybersecurity
- A national retailer in data breach mitigation strategy, including incident advisory, data subject notification and regulator engagement.
- A technology company in connection with the roll out of its cybersecurity product and understanding permissible and lawful access requests to data by governmental entities.
- Knight Frank Kenya with their data protection compliance, including provision of training and feedback sessions.
- Tools for Humanity Corporation and Tools for Humanity GmbH (TFH) regarding the proposed offering of a digital identity (World ID) in Kenya including advisory on local regulations applicable to data protection and financial technology.
- AWS on applicable legal framework applicable to encryption technologies and services across several jursidictions.
- Java House Kenya in relation to data protection considerations applicable to its operations including in-store, marketing and organisational systems.
- WPP plc in relation to data protection compliance considerations across various tools and business operations.
- Base Titanium on data protection compliance requirements and supported the company in its engagement with the Kenyan data protection regulator.
- Dunnhumby ltd, a global leader in customer data science, in relation to the offering of in-store media services in Kenya.
- Supporting Bytedance Pte Ltd with its data protection compliance requirements for the Kenyan market.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Microsoft Corp on its review, localisation and roll-out of its Generative AI (Gen-AI) Whitepaper resources and AI Guides for the Public Sector, Procurement, Commercial Enterprises in Kenya and Egypt.
- Uber on the use of generative AI to provide user-support services.
- Partnered with Microsoft to lead cross-sector roundtables on the responsible use of generative AI.
- Ilara Health, a medical technology company providing AI and tech-powered diagnostic equipment to peri-urban healthcare providers in relation to their data protection and privacy compliance requirements.
TMT and Digital Economy (General)
- Microsoft (MEA) on cloud security, cybercrime, AI regulation financial services and data protection regulation.
- Google on data privacy, AI, cloud regulation, cybercrime, and financial services regulation.
- Bytedance Pte.Ltd (TikTok) in respect of a legal assessment on the legal and regulatory framework applicable to Data Protection, Online Content Regulation and Advertising in respect of the intended launch of the Bytedance/TikTok Pangle advertising platform in Kenya.
- IX Africa, a leading data center and colocation facility in providing contract advisory assistance.
- Coinbase in relation to applicable legislative framework on product offerings.
- A local technology provider offering a mobile money wallet solution on its agreements with the software developer and licence agreements with the financial institutions.
- Cavex on its software licence agreements with third parties.
- Standard Bank of Mauritius and Gartner UK on a master cloud services agreement on MCSA in relation to service levels and usage rights.
- NICV on a P2P software development license agreement, SBS software, development and maintenance agreements.
- Apple Distribution on legislative and regulatory overview impacting Apple’s provision of platform services, consumer electronics and products in Kenya.
- A well known financial institution in its software licensing, development and support agreements with a global ICT provider in connection with its regional phased roll out of its digitization mandate.
Franchising
- A hotel owner in connection with its hotel management and franchise negotiations with the LUX hotel group.
- Advising several international brands on Kenyan franchising and IP licensing laws across a multitude of sectors including retail, car rental, healthtech, and agritech.
- Hemingways Collection in connection with operational requirements applicable to IT infrastructure, intellectual property, licensing opportunities, and data protection considerations.
- Oxygen Hub LLC in relation to the roll-out of its transformative medical oxygen infrastructure franchise across SSA.
Awards
- African Legal Awards recognized Ariana for Private Practice Rising Star in 2024.
- Chambers Global ranked Ariana in Band 3 for her work in Fintech in Kenya (2024-2026).
- Ariana was recognised as an IP Rising Star by IP Stars (2024/2025).
‘Ariana has a good balance on the full suite of law in this area and is practical in her advice with the context of Kenya.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Her client service is very good. Ariana is easy to contact and makes herself available.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2024
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