Department profile
Bowmans

Corporate/M&A & Private Equity

Global Guide 2026 : Africa-wide

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Bowmans

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A & Private Equity - Africa-wide

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

Bowmans is well known as a leading law firm in South Africa and maintains excellent transactional practices elsewhere on the continent as well, including in Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia and Mauritius. It is a particular favourite among South African clients with ventures and operations outside the jurisdiction, but it also has a strong track record of servicing multinational corporations. The team regularly advises on high value and cutting-edge M&A transactions, and is frequently to be seen counselling PE funds on buyouts. Alongside its own impressive continental platform, Bowmans maintains close relations with standout law firms in Ethiopia and Nigeria, in addition to a strategic alliance with one of the leading names in francophone Africa, Gide Loyrette Nouel.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bowmans advised Nampak on its ZAR450 million sale of various African business divisions, including its South African liquid cartons business.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their ability to anticipate potential regulatory and transactional hurdles and proactively develop solutions sets them apart. We also find their drafting to be of a consistently high standard.

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentGlobal

  • Bowmans’ M&A department distinguishes itself through a combination of deep legal expertise, strategic acumen and a highly collaborative approach.

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentGlobal

  • Bowmans provides strong client management and superior legal knowledge across jurisdictions, especially within Africa.

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentGlobal

  • Bowmans offers exceptional technical knowledge, combined with the ability to give pragmatic and commercial advice.

    Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Ezra Davids
    Ezra Davids

    Ezra Davids

    Johannesburg-based Ezra Davids is a very well-established figure in the South African legal market and a renowned expert in corporate and M&A. He has many years of experience representing blue-chip South African companies, as well as market-leading multinationals, in a variety of deals, both in his home market and on a cross-border basis.

    • Ezra Davids always has a solution and has a good sense of the political aspects of the deal.

      Corporate/M&A & Private Equity respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Bowmans (1)

Africa-wide

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