Tayyibah Suliman
Tayyibah Suliman is a Director in our Corporate & Commercial practice and is Head of the Technology & Communications sector.
About Tayyibah
About Tayyibah
Tayyibah is a seasoned legal practitioner with 15 years of experience, managing complex technology, media, telecommunications, data protection, mergers and acquisitions matters for clients across multiple jurisdictions. She has engaged extensively with legal regulatory authorities across Africa and provided strategic public policy, compliance and risk advice to clients with an emphasis on providing strategic and pragmatic solutions.
Tayyibah joined CDH as a Candidate Attorney in January 2008, moving through the ranks to her appointment as Partner in April 2016. She subsequently supported Vodacom Group entities in various capacities since 2017 as a Consulting Legal Executive, including heading up the legal, regulatory, risk and compliance portfolio for Vodacom Business Africa since October 2019 and deputising for the Chief of Legal in Safaricom Ethiopia in 2022. In the course of 2019, she also fulfilled a commercial executive role for a UK start-up legal-tech insurance company, Nuvalaw UK Limited. She returned to CDH as a Sector Head for Technology & Communications.
Credentials
Credentials
Education
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- LLB, University of Johannesburg
- BCom, University of Johannesburg
- Oxford University Säid Business School Executive Leadership Programme
Languages
Languages
- English
About Tayyibah
Tayyibah is a seasoned legal practitioner with 15 years of experience, managing complex technology, media, telecommunications, data protection, mergers and acquisitions matters for clients across multiple jurisdictions. She has engaged extensively with legal regulatory authorities across Africa and provided strategic public policy, compliance and risk advice to clients with an emphasis on providing strategic and pragmatic solutions.
Tayyibah joined CDH as a Candidate Attorney in January 2008, moving through the ranks to her appointment as Partner in April 2016. She subsequently supported Vodacom Group entities in various capacities since 2017 as a Consulting Legal Executive, including heading up the legal, regulatory, risk and compliance portfolio for Vodacom Business Africa since October 2019 and deputising for the Chief of Legal in Safaricom Ethiopia in 2022. In the course of 2019, she also fulfilled a commercial executive role for a UK start-up legal-tech insurance company, Nuvalaw UK Limited. She returned to CDH as a Sector Head for Technology & Communications.
Credentials
Education
- Registered with the Legal Practice Council
- LLB, University of Johannesburg
- BCom, University of Johannesburg
- Oxford University Säid Business School Executive Leadership Programme
Languages
- English
Experience
Advising and supporting Vodacom Financial Services on the implementation of financial services products and platforms, including MPESA and Vodapay.
Advising and supporting Vodacom and its various subsidiaries on the implementation of renewable energy projects and associated financial service platforms.
Maintaining regulatory, compliance and public policy oversight across more than 47 territories.
Supporting and advising clients on the implementation of digital media platforms, advertising and the procurement of content.
Advising on multiple outsourcing and technology engagements for major banks in South Africa and the UK.
Managing the implementation of legal technology in the insurance industry for online mediation and arbitration
Advising on the negotiation and conclusion of large-scale telecommunications infrastructure arrangements for Safaricom Ethiopia.
News
An overview of the Artificial Intelligence in the South African Financial Sector report
On 24 November 2025, the South African Reserve Bank Prudential Authority (PA) and the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) released a joint report on Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
Recent privacy updates in South Africa and abroad
South Africa is experiencing a sharp increase in reported data breaches. The Information Regulator (Regulator) noted 2,374 breaches in the 2024/25 financial year, an average of 198...
Draft Regulations relating to the processing of data subjects' health or sex life by certain responsible parties in terms of Section 112(2)(c) of the Protection of Personal Information Act published on 26 September
The Information Regulator of South Africa published draft regulations for comment on 26 September 2025 – Regulations Relating to the Processing of Data Subjects' Health or Sex Life...
An overview of the European Union’s Model Contractual Clauses for Artificial Intelligence
In 2024, the European Union (EU) formally adopted the Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act). The AI Act will be fully applicable in 2026, with some provisions currently in force. Flowing...
Implications for crypto asset service providers from High Court ruling on crypto and exchange control
In the case of Standard Bank of South Africa v South African Reserve Bank and Others (047643/2023) ZAGPPHC 481 (delivered 15 May 2025), the Gauteng High Court ruled that South Africa’s...
Webinar Recording | AI on Trial Navigating legal risks in the age of AI
Watch our team of experts as they discuss the intersection of law and AI and the opportunities it offers.
AI in Focus: Legal and Ethical Considerations for Modern Businesses
Watch the recording of a virtual panel discussion on the transformative power of AI.
Regulation of AI in South Africa
Sector Head Tayyibah Suliman from our Technology and Communications sector joined Francis Herd on ENCA to discuss the regulation of AI in South Africa.
Lessons from an entrepreneurial journey: Reinvention, resilience and the power of community
In our latest CDH Women's Empowerment podcast series, Tayyibah Suliman, Director and Sector Head, sits down with Hanli Brink, Operations Director of the Stellenbosch Network, to talk...
Women in Tech Law: Navigating the industry and developing trends
In this episode of CDH conversations, Director Tayyibah Suliman and Candidate Attorney, Zachary Kokosioulis discuss the role of women within the technology law space, and also discuss...
The impact of AI and the power of streaming platforms in the South African context
Expertise
Corporate & Commercial Law
Our strong legal team is well versed in legislative matters and provides support across all commercial disciplines.
Agriculture, Aquaculture & Fishing
We use our expertise across our disciplines to support our clients' growth and sustainability in the agriculture, aquaculture, and fishing sectors.
Technology & Communications
Our team offers advice on a wide range of functions and sector-related issues.