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Head of Consultancy & Compliance
Iyasu Teketel is a Legal 500 Recommended lawyer and Head of the Consultancy and Compliance Department at DABLO Law Firm. With over a decade of experience spanning private legal practice, financial services, academia, and regulatory compliance, he provides clients
with strategic legal solutions rooted in deep sectoral knowledge and a practical grasp of Ethiopia’s complex
regulatory environment.
Iyasu previously served as Senior Attorney at Nib International Bank, where he led major litigation and
advisory matters, including multi-million-dollar tax and contractual disputes, representing the bank before courts and tax appeal commissions.
Earlier in his career, Iyasu held academic leadership roles at Dilla University, including serving as Dean of the School of Law. He contributed extensively to legal education, policy-oriented research, and community-based legal aid initiatives. His academic foundation continues to inform his legal reasoning and client-oriented approach.
Iyasu advises a diverse portfolio of clients including commercial banks, fintech innovators, real estate
developers, crypto miners, and international NGOs. His advisory covers investment structuring, PPP negotiations, data protection, financial regulation, employment, and tax compliance.
Advised a fast-growing fintech company on regulatory compliance, corporate governance, and licensing requirements, facilitating its seamless market entry and sustainable operational rollout.
(a leading bank in Ethiopia) represented the bank in a dispute involving Dividend Tax against the Ministry of Revenues valued at USD 5.5 million(ETB 313 million)
Provided end-to-end legal counsel for a major cross-border infrastructure project, covering due diligence, risk mitigation, and regulatory approvals in a multi-jurisdictional context. (Amount: USD 50 Million)
represented the bank in a dispute involving Dividend Tax against the Ministry of Revenues valued at USD 2.3 million (ETB 131 million).
Conducted a comprehensive regulatory review for an international technology firm, clearing the path for innovative service offerings in Ethiopia’s fragmented legal environment.
Represented the bank in a dispute involving a client for breach of contractual obligation valued at USD 700 thousand (ETB 40 million).
Guided a digital finance company through entity formation, licensing, and the negotiation of strategic partnership agreements, ensuring full compliance with fintech regulatory standards
Represented the bank in a dispute involving a client for breach of contractual obligation valued at USD 500 thousand (ETB 29 million).
Represented a major construction and real estate developer in the negotiation of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement and assisted in the establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). (Amount: USD 28 Million)
Represented the bank in a dispute involving a client for breach of contractual obligation valued at USD 280 thousand (ETB 16 million).
Advised an international NGO on employment, tax, and operational compliance matters, facilitating smooth establishment and ongoing activities under Ethiopian law.
Represented the bank in a dispute involving a client for breach of contractual obligation valued at USD 160 thousand (ETB 9 million).
Developed and published legal guidance documents on corporate governance, investment compliance, and capital market readiness, serving as reference tools for clients and sector stakeholders.
Represented the bank in a dispute involving a tax dispute valued at USD 35 thousand (ETB 2 million).
Secured an ongoing funding of more than USD 38.2 thousand (ETB 5 million) for the Dilla University School of Law Free Legal Aid Centre from UNHCR.
LL.M. (Public International Law, Addis Ababa University)
LL.B. (Dilla University)
Higher Diploma as Professional Teacher Educator (Dilla University)
Micro Masters in Digital Communications and Marketing (Istanbul University)
Micro Masters in Entrepreneurship Ecosystem and Innovation
Certificates in Capital Markets, Transfer Pricing, and Financial Regulations
