In this edition of #CareerFocus, we speak to Mary-Anne Momoh-Ige, Public Policy & Government Affairs Manager for Africa at inDrive. She shares insights into her career journey, the evolving role of public policy in shaping business across the continent, and the leadership lessons that have guided her success.
1. Tell us about your career journey and where it all began.
My career began in a courtroom. I trained as a lawyer in Nigeria and started in litigation, which taught me discipline, critical thinking, and how to hold my ground. But I always knew corporate and commercial work was where I wanted to build my long-term focus, so I completed a Master’s in International Business Law at the University of London and pivoted in-house.
From there, my career moved through roles I never planned: management consulting, construction, foreign investment, oil and gas, non-profits, and eventually technology and public policy. Today I lead Public Policy and Government Affairs for inDrive across over ten African markets. Few of my plans unfolded the way I imagined, yet every turn led me exactly where I needed to be.
2. What inspired you to pursue a career in law and public policy?
Law drew me in because it is the operating system of society; it shapes what is possible for people and businesses. Public policy found me later, in-house, where I saw that the most consequential legal work often happens before a dispute ever arises, in the rooms where rules are written. I realised I did not just want to interpret frameworks; I wanted to help shape them, especially in sectors like mobility where good regulation directly affects how ordinary people move, earn and live.
3. How did your early career experiences prepare you for leadership roles?
Litigation gave me composure under pressure and the ability to think on my feet. My in-house years made me a generalist by necessity; in lean legal teams you own everything from contracts to compliance to board advisory, and that forces you to take responsibility early. Advising executives also taught me to communicate with clarity and brevity, because leaders do not want a lecture; they want a decision path. By the time I stepped into a managerial role, I had learned that leadership is less about having answers and more about creating clarity for others.
4. What attracted you to join inDrive, and what excites you most about the company?
The founder’s story sold me. inDrive was born when a community pushed back against unfair winter transport fare hikes in one of the coldest cities on earth, and that spirit of challenging injustice still runs through the company. Our peer-to-peer model lets passengers and driver partners agree on a fair price together, and we charge among the lowest service fees in the industry. What excites me most is that the mission is not a slogan; I see it in how we approach markets, regulators, and the people who earn on our platform.
5. Can you describe your role as the public policy and government affairs lead for Africa?
As the Public Policy and Government Affairs and Regulatory Compliance Manager for Africa, with a remit spanning around ten markets, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique and Tanzania. In practice, I lead our engagement with regulators, ministries and industry stakeholders, manage licensing and market entry strategy, monitor and respond to new legislation, and oversee external counsel and consultants across the region. My job is to make sure inDrive can operate lawfully, sustainably and with a licence to grow, while helping governments build frameworks that work for everyone.
6. What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced while navigating Africa’s diverse regulatory landscape?
Fragmentation. No two markets are alike, and many regulatory frameworks were written for traditional taxis, so platforms are often assessed against rules never designed for them. That means long approval timelines, institutional bottlenecks and genuine uncertainty. The discipline I have had to build is strategic patience paired with urgency: keeping engagement respectful and constructive with institutions that move slowly, while making sure the business always has a clear, lawful path forward. It has taught me that in this work, persistence and credibility compound.
7. Your career spans law, government, development, and technology. How have these sectors shaped your leadership style?
Each sector added a layer. Law made me precise and risk-aware. Development and non-profit work taught me empathy and the importance of listening to communities, not just boardrooms. Government engagement taught me diplomacy and the long game. Technology taught me speed and comfort with ambiguity. The result is a leadership style that is adaptive: I try to read the context first, then lead with clarity. I hold high standards, but I lead with kindness, because I have worked in enough environments to know that trust is the real currency of performance.
8. What skills have been most valuable in helping you succeed in the fast-paced tech industry?
Adaptability above all. Tech moves fast, and regulatory environments shift overnight, so the ability to reassess and reposition in real time is essential. Strategic thinking in a crisis has become second nature; you learn to separate noise from risk quickly. This role also pulled me out of my shell, sharpening my public speaking and my ability to represent the company externally. And underneath it all, the lawyer’s toolkit still carries me: critical thinking, advocacy, negotiation and precise drafting never go out of style.
9. How do you balance business growth with responsible public policy and stakeholder engagement?
I genuinely do not see them as opposites. Growth that ignores the public interest is short-lived, and I have watched enforcement actions prove that across the continent. My approach is to treat compliance and stakeholder trust as a growth strategy: engage regulators early and transparently, invest in safety and consumer protection before being asked, and build coalitions rather than confrontations. When a platform earns formal recognition from a regulator, that is not a constraint on growth; it is the legal certainty that makes long-term investment possible.
10. Looking back, what career milestone are you most proud of?
Two stand out. Professionally, leading regulatory engagement that secured formal recognition for inDrive in key African markets, thereby giving thousands of driver partners a lawful path to earn income and providing fair and affordable transportation choices for passengers. Personally, the career pivot itself: leaving the predictable path of private legal practice for an unconventional career at the intersection of law, policy, and technology. It took courage at the time, and it is the decision that made everything possible.
11. What advice would you give to young African women aspiring to build careers in law, policy, or technology?
Discipline and diligence, above everything else. Discipline keeps procrastination at bay; diligence is the difference between average and excellent work. My personal rule is simple: make excellence a habit, because the way you do one thing is the way you will do everything. Your values shape your reputation, and your reputation determines how far you go. Also, do not fear a non-linear path. Careers rarely unfold as planned, and some of your best opportunities will come through doors you never imagined. Prepare thoroughly, take up space confidently, and find sponsors, not just mentors.
12. What’s next for you, and what impact do you hope to make in the years ahead?
I want to keep shaping the regulatory frameworks that will define the next decade of mobility and digital innovation in Africa, and to do it at greater scale and seniority. Beyond my own desk, I want to widen the door for women in policy, law and technology across the continent, through mentorship, speaking and deliberate sponsorship.
The impact I hope to leave is simple: markets where regulation does not stifle innovation, but rather innovation and public interest reinforce each other. I also want to see a generation of women who silence imposter syndrome before it speaks, and take their seats at the tables of decision-making, never doubting their power to make an impact.
Short Bio
Mary-Anne Momoh-Ige is the Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager for Africa at inDrive, where she leads regulatory strategy, government engagement, and market access across over ten markets in sub-Saharan Africa. A qualified Nigerian lawyer with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of Benin and a Master’s in International Business Law from the University of London, she began her career in litigation before building a corporate and commercial in-house career spanning management consulting, construction, foreign investment, oil and gas, non-profits, and technology.
She has spoken at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit and the Africa Energy Indaba, and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Public Affairs Council (USA). She is passionate about shaping enabling regulation for digital mobility and advancing women in policy, law and technology across Africa.
Contact Information
Email: Maryanne.momoh@indrive.com
