In an increasingly demanding and competitive legal market, Silva, Martins & Associados (SMA) stands out for its modern approach, close client relationships and strong female leadership.
In this edition, we spoke with Karina Arouca, partner at SMA, about the firm’s origins, the values that underpin its work, the legal challenges faced by businesses in Mozambique, and the importance of sound legal advisory, particularly in an economic and regulatory environment that is constantly evolving. Through reliable and tailored legal solutions, SMA supports companies and entrepreneurs in operating with confidence in Mozambique.
Karina, how was SMA founded and what sets your firm apart in the Mozambican legal market?
SMA, short for Silva, Martins & Associados, was founded through the initiative of its founding partner, lawyer Bianca do Ó da Silva Martins. Throughout her career, she was exposed to different professional environments, including working as an in-house lawyer for multinational companies, as well as being part of a large law firm for many years. With a forward-looking approach and a clear understanding of the needs and opportunities within the Mozambican market, she took the bold step of inviting two other young female lawyers to join her in building this project.
I believe what truly sets our firm apart is the care we bring to each matter, our attention to detail and our focus on understanding each client’s specific needs. We are committed to delivering high-quality legal services tailored to each client — much like a bespoke solution. At the same time, we place great importance on building close relationships, ensuring that our clients feel heard, supported and confident that they are in capable hands.
SMA has two female partners leading the firm. How does this influence its culture and approach?
Indeed, SMA is led by two female partners who, through the course of their professional journeys, built their careers, gained experience and, at the right moment, found the conditions to come together and establish the firm.
In practice, having a firm led by women — who are also young professionals, mothers and practitioners across different areas of law — is a significant advantage. We share many of the same personal, family and professional challenges, while also complementing each other through our different personalities, professional experiences and life paths. Together, these elements make us stronger and foster a work culture that is both demanding and supportive, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for our colleagues and making our team feel like a family.
What are the main challenges that companies face in Mozambique today?
This question can be approached from different perspectives, but from a practical standpoint — and based on our area of work — we consider that the main challenges lie in bureaucratic processes and the current economic context of the country, where there is still room for improvement.
SMA works with multinational companies as well as local entrepreneurs. How do you balance these two realities?
This is an interesting question and, in practice, it reflects what truly distinguishes our services and approach in the market. SMA does not differentiate its clients based on their size. We provide the same level of care and service to a multinational, a local entrepreneur or an individual client. This is our purpose — to support our clients and address the matters entrusted to us, without distinction.
For those looking to invest or start a business in Mozambique, what legal advice would you consider essential?
Starting a business in any sector requires courage, as it involves investing both human and financial resources with the expectation of returns, profitability and recognition. It is much like building a house. The foundations must be solid for everything else to stand.
Following this analogy, before starting a business anywhere in the world, and Mozambique is no exception, it is essential for entrepreneurs to seek legal advice from a law firm at an early stage. This allows them to make informed decisions, in line with the Mozambican legal framework, and to avoid potential irregularities that may lead to unnecessary legal and financial consequences or hinder the progress of the business.