Ridwaan Boda is one of Africa's foremost technology lawyers and heads ENS' award-winning Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) practice, and co-head of both the Fintech and Data Privacy practices. Under his leadership, he has built a Chambers and Partners Band 1 rated team in IT and Telecommunications law, whilst the Fintech team has earned the same distinction in its field.

Ridwaan has acted as lead legal counsel on many of the largest and most complex technology transactions in the Middle East and Africa region. A true polymath in the technology law space, his expertise encompasses IT and telecommunications, data governance, artificial intelligence, data privacy, data commercialisation, fintech, and corporate law. Widely recognised as a leading voice in global technology law, he is a sought-after speaker who has addressed prestigious events on four continents and received numerous accolades, including the coveted "Lawyer of the Year" award on multiple occasions.

Beyond his practice, Ridwaan is passionate about shaping the future of the profession and has personally mentored many of South Africa's most accomplished legal professionals.

Ridwaan's influence extends well beyond Africa through his significant international leadership roles. He has served for over a decade as a member of the United Nations Data Governance and AI Expert Group (formerly the UN Privacy Advisory Group) and is a former Chair and Vice Chair of the Substantive Law Committee on Technology Sourcing for the International Technology Lawyers Association. He founded and chairs Privacy Officers Africa and serves on the board of the International Sport Lawyers Association.

Education

• BCom (University of the Witwatersrand)
• LLB (University of the Witwatersrand)
• LLM (University of South Africa)
• Admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa

Ridwaan is recognised as a leading/recommended lawyer by:

• Chambers Global Guide 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 – IT & Telecommunications (South Africa)
• Chambers Fintech Guide 2026, 2025, 2021, 2020, 2019 (South Africa)
• Best Lawyers® 2023, 2022, 2021 – Information Technology Law, Corporate Law; 2021, 2020, 2019 – Information Technology Lawyer of the Year (South Africa)
• Client Choice Awards 2019, 2016 – IT & Internet (South Africa)
• Under Ridwaan’s leadership, ENS TMT Team was awarded the TMT Team of the Year in Africa at the African Legal Awards for 2013 and 2014

• Data security breach: Information Regulator takes action against Department of Justice

  By Ridwaan Boda, Naledi Ramoabi |May 2023

• Data security breach: Information Regulator takes action against Department of Justice

  By Ridwaan Boda, Naledi Ramoabi |May 2023

• Films and Publications Amendment Regulations, 2022

  By Ridwaan Boda, Naledi Ramoabi |October 2022