Milton Paiva is the Founder and Managing Partner of MPA Legal Africa, a specialist law firm and strategic consulting practice based in Praia, Cape Verde. With a multidisciplinary background spanning law, public policy and business administration, he advises governments, international organisations, investors and private sector clients on complex cross-border legal, regulatory and governance matters across Africa. Recognised for his expertise in international law and regional integration, Milton combines academic excellence with practical legal and policy experience to deliver strategic solutions that support sustainable development and institutional growth.

In addition to leading MPA Legal Africa, Milton is the co-founder of the Institut de Politiques et Développement Durable (IPDD) and its research centre, CIAD. He has served as an adviser to ECOWAS and the African Union on institutional governance and regional integration and is an accredited mediator, university lecturer and respected commentator on Cape Verdean constitutional affairs. Fluent in Portuguese, French and English, Milton maintains an active academic publication record focused on West African integration law, ECOWAS institutional frameworks and African public policy.

Areas of Expertise

• Public International Law
• Investment Law
• Corporate & Commercial Law
• Public Policy & Governance
• Regulatory Affairs
• Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Digital Economy
• African Regional Integration

Professional Experience

• Founder & Managing Partner, MPA Legal Africa
• Co-founder, Institut de Politiques et Développement Durable (IPDD)
• Co-founder, Centre for Research and Analysis (CIAD)
• Adviser to ECOWAS on institutional governance and regional integration
• Adviser to the African Union on governance and regional integration matters
• University lecturer in law and public policy
• Accredited mediator
• Advises governments, international organisations, investors and corporations on international legal and regulatory matters
• Leads a pan-African legal consulting platform serving clients across Africa through the LEX Africa network

Education & Qualifications

• Law Degree, Modern University of Lisbon
• Master’s Degree in Public International Law, Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris II)
• University in Postgraduate Regulation and Competition: University of Coimbra – CEDIPRE
• University in Specialization Tax Law: University of Lisbon – FDJ
• Accredited Mediator: Ministry of Justice Cape Verde – FDJ

Notable Matters

• Advised ECOWAS on institutional governance and regional integration initiatives.
• Advised the African Union on governance and regional integration frameworks.
• Provides strategic legal and policy advice to governments, international organisations and investors on cross-border legal and regulatory matters.
• Supports public institutions on governance, regulatory reform and development policy.
• Leads international legal advisory engagements involving investment law, public international law and regional integration across Africa.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Published academic research on West African integration law and ECOWAS institutional frameworks under ORCID: 0009-0007-3697-6223.
• Regular contributor to academic and policy discussions on constitutional law, regional integration and public governance in Africa.
• University lecturer specialising in international law and public policy.
• Frequently bridges academic research with practical policy advisory work across the African continent.

Professional Memberships

• Accredited Mediator
• Founder & Managing Partner, MPA Legal Africa
• Co-founder, Institut de Politiques et Développement Durable (IPDD)
• Co-founder, CIAD Research Centre