Why Choose CALID
Bridging China-Africa Partnerships and business solutions with Trust
(建议中文标题: 我们的使命 – 以法律智慧连接中非商业)
The Challenge We Saw
In 2018, we witnessed a Nigerian textile SME lose $380,000 because a Chinese contract’s “force majeure” clause was mistranslated. Meanwhile, Chinese investors struggled to find credible African partners beyond commodity exports.
“The problem wasn’t a lack of opportunity—it was a lack of legal bridges.”
— Dr. Yakubu Nagu, Co-Founder
CALID Was Born
Founded in 2018 at the University of Cape Town, CALID combines:
🔹 African legal expertise
🔹 A decade of China in-market experience
🔹 On-ground business networks
🔹 Senior Government Official representation
🔹 Cultural arbitration tools
🔹 China-Africa Reputation Management
Why “商律通”？
Our Chinese name 中非商律通 (Zhōng Fēi Shāng Lǜ Tōng) reflects our values:
商 (Shāng)
Commerce – We enable mutually profitable deals
律 (Lǜ)
Law – We prevent disputes before they happen
通 (Tōng)
Bridge – We’re the missing link in China-Africa trade
Our Milestones
2018
Launched with UCT Law@Work’s first China-Africa executive course
2024
Helped 12 SMEs secure better contract terms (avg. 22% cost savings)
2024
Delivered the first China Africa Executive Program on IP
2024
Signed Partnerships in Ethiopia and Germany
2023
Produced two groundbreaking research one on AfCFTA Protocols and on Chinese Law and Investments in Africa
2025
Partnered with a Beijing Based law firm to offer end-to-end legal support
2025
Open Representative Offices in China, Nigeria and Canada
2025
Developed Training program in AI in legal Framework in Global South Toolkit
Join Our Journey
We’re looking for:
🔹 African SMEs tired of exploitative contracts
🔹 Chinese investors seeking vetted opportunities
🔹 Legal partners to expand our bridge