RISING WOMAN 2025: At the forefront of empowering the next generation of women in law

Dar es Salaam. Angelista Nashon is a highly accomplished advocate of the High Court of Tanzania and Founding and Managing Partner of AfriCorp Attorneys, a law firm based in Tanzania.

She holds a master’s degree in Law (IT and E-Commerce) from the University of Southampton and a Bachelor’s in law from the University of Dar es Salaam. With her illustrious legal career spanning over ten years, Angelista has established herself as a luminary in the fields of corporate and civil litigation.

Her experience working with regulated industries and exposure to the regulatory framework has provided her with in-depth knowledge and experience needed to handle complicated regulatory and compliance issues, making her an invaluable asset to businesses seeking sustainable growth and investment.

She is a founder and managing Partner of AfriCorp Attorneys. While still in her 30s, she founded AfriCorp Attorneys as the sole proprietor to enhance her legal career as a private practitioner by providing customer-tailored legal services, fully responding to clients’ concerns and coaching young lawyers. In her commitment to upholding the law and protecting the rights of her clients, she has transformed AfriCorp Attorneys into a fully-fledged service law firm. Her dedication extends beyond legal practice as she actively participates in diverse legal agendas.

Her dream to become a lawyer was driven by her desire to save women and children from the abuses that were rampant in society. She witnessed some of these abuses among her own relatives.

“I was born and raised in Kigoma and I can tell you for a fact that back then, wives getting beaten half to death was the order of the day, not to mention how children were being mistreated in families,” she recalls.

Angelista was the first person in her entire clan to pursue a professional career. And even after she started practicing, it was clear there still were not nearly enough women in law. She therefore made concerted efforts to show her family that it could be a viable, rewarding path and that sparked a real interest in law among the women in her family.

Her tireless efforts to help women eventually led her to becoming a lawyer.

But it was not just about family. She has always made it a point to mentor young women, whether they are already navigating the legal sector or still in university and dreaming of a career in law.

She has been using the hashtag #thesheattorney to try and create a community to show millennial and Gen Z women that they indeed have a place and a voice in the legal field.

She has also been having one-on-one lunches with them to brainstorm ideas in addition to volunteer speaking engagements whenever issues facing young women lawyers are on the agenda.

“And for the past couple of years, I’ve had the honour of awarding two young women, under the #thesheattorney banner, for their exceptional passion and dedication to practicing law. Some of them have even earned full scholarships to pursue their postgraduate studies in law through our AfriCorp

Scholarship for law school, which is funded by AfriCorp Attorneys, where I’m currently the Managing Partner.

“These scholarships primarily go to women, not because men are not capable, but to shine a light on the growing number of incredibly talented women who are making their mark on the legal field in Tanzania.

“Plus, in my role as a board member of TAWLA, I’m committed to contributing and sharing ideas on how we can empower women to not just survive, but thrive, in this profession,” Angelista says.

Speaking about this year’s International Women’s Day theme “Accelerate Her Impact”, she believes the theme speaks directly to her core values because it highlights the importance of empowering women to actively support one another, especially aspiring lawyers in her field.

“This IWD is significant especially as it is about creating a strong network of support and mentorship and a powerful call for qualified women to confidently step into leadership positions, to seek out opportunities and to embrace the valuable prospects that come their way. It’s about recognising our own potential and having the courage to lead.”

As the Managing Partner at AfriCorp Attorneys, has been   actively mentoring young women in the legal field and directly mentor at least six women within her firm, plus she-attorneys and others from TAWLA and the University of Dar es Salaam.

Angelista is currently mentoring around ten young women in addition to providing informal guidance to others who reach out through social media. This mentoring is a significant commitment.

“Many of the women I mentor are involved in civil and commercial litigation, which aligns with my background. I’m now looking to expand my practice into real estate and estate planning and hope to continue mentoring as I move forward in this new direction.”

Angelista urges women aspiring for leadership positions to prioritise continuous professional development to enhance their skills and expertise. Building a robust professional network and actively seeking mentorship and sponsorship opportunities can provide invaluable guidance and support.

“Demonstrating leadership qualities through proactive initiative and clear and effective communication are essential as is embracing challenging projects to showcase your capabilities. Cultivating self-confidence, advocating your ideas and maintaining resilience in the face of obstacles are also key. Ultimately, leading with authenticity, by embracing your unique strengths and perspectives, will enable you to inspire and influence others effectively,” she says.

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation