Capital Markets | Global

White & Case operates a first-class capital markets practice with a stellar reputation in both equity and debt. The team draws plaudits for its long-standing presence on sophisticated sovereign bond issuances, and for its counsel on offerings across Africa. The global capital markets team has an outstanding track record of acting for sovereign entities, as well as financial institutions and investors, on debt finance and note programmes. The Africa practice is spread across numerous offices in the USA, Europe and the Middle East, with the firm additionally maintaining offices in Cairo and Johannesburg.

Clifford Chance has an acclaimed international capital markets practice group that is regularly instructed by sovereigns, commercial banks and major corporate issuers across the continent. The Africa team possesses impressive expertise concerning a range of financial instruments, with strengths in structured finance and derivatives, as well as conventional debt issuances. The team is also experienced advising on IPOs and has a distinguished reputation for its work on bond restructuring. Typically staffing its African deals with lawyers based in London and Paris, Clifford Chance also has notable resources in Africa itself, with a much-admired team based in Casablanca.

Linklaters operates a highly experienced Africa practice which is renowned for its wide-ranging transactional offering. It covers both debt and equity capital markets, the group being well versed in providing counsel on IPOs, dual listings, and the issuance of convertible and sovereign bonds. The firm is noted for its broad-ranging coverage of anglophone, francophone and lusophone regions - calling upon the expertise of lawyers based in its London, Paris and Lisbon offices - and it has considerable capability when it comes to multi-jurisdictional mandates. In addition to its own worldwide offices, Linklaters maintains close relationships with a number of law firms across Africa, and is particularly known for its long-standing alliance with Webber Wentzel in South Africa.

This firm has a well-respected Africa group which is regularly involved in high-value capital markets issuances. It is especially noted for its impressive capabilities in Casablanca, where the firm has had a long-standing reputation as the Moroccan market's premier law firm. Across the region, the firm possesses considerable expertise in all manner of capital markets transactions, including sovereign and international bond issuances, public offerings and securities. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Baker McKenzie is home to a commendable capital markets practice group, benefiting from both its broad global reach and its network of African offices in Cairo, Casablanca and Johannesburg. The team has experience acting on the full range of equity and debt capital markets, including high-yield debt issuances and IPOs, with further expertise in green bonds. The firm frequently represents commercial and development banks, as well as other financial institutions and corporations.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a widely respected Africa group that possesses deep experience in high-value, cross-border transactions as well as wide-ranging expertise in both equity and debt capital markets. The firm is well known for its representation of sovereigns, major banking bodies and big-name corporations operating in Africa. The group offers considerable strength across the continent through its offices in South Africa and Morocco, as well as through its affiliates in Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe. The firm's African capabilities are further augmented by its renowned global network of offices.