Department profile
ENS

Banking & Finance

Global Guide 2026 : South Africa


ENS

Rankings

About

Provided by ENS

ENSafrica has a dedicated banking and finance team which is well known for its scale and depth, and for its cross-border work throughout Africa.

Our key differentiator is the extent and breadth of our expertise and experience across the full spectrum of banking and finance work, including financial services regulation, leveraged finance, asset finance, debt finance, trade finance and capital markets.

We work with leading African and international financial institutions and blue chip companies, and we are sought after by investors, including development finance institutions, who require our expertise in their complex and high value matters, including cross-border mandates spanning multiple countries.

We have well-established capabilities in local law, English law, French law and OHADA law, which enables us to provide you with legal advice in every jurisdiction in Africa.

ENSafrica is recognised by top ranking agencies for achieving consistently high standards when working on the continent.

Recent work highlights:

  • Multi-currency club loan of ZAR1.2-billion to MTN Zambia by joint lenders, including FirstRand Bank, as lead counsel.
  • ZAR20-billion highly complex group-wide debt restructure of the Edcon Group.
  • Raising of USD2.25-billion in the US market by Sasol Financing USA LLC, guaranteed by Sasol Limited.
    Partial financing by Citibank of the acquisition by Comair of one new Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Banking & Finance - South Africa

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

ENS remains a prominent force in the market with broad-ranging experience in the South African and international banking and finance spaces. The law firm represents clients on both the lender and borrower sides of major refinancings, syndicated credit facilities and acquisition financing. It also regularly advises on debt restructurings. The group is additionally called upon by banks and financial institutions on account of its well-regarded regulatory practice. The team possesses deep experience operating across Africa, with numerous regional offices and complementary strength in English law.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • ENS advised DRDGold on the refinancing of its approximately ZAR2 billion debt.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • ENS has the ability to always deliver timeously while not affecting the quality of the work.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • ENS has consistently demonstrated exceptional expertise across all engagements. The team's capabilities extend well beyond standard legal services, showcasing its unique strengths.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • ENS has excellent and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of our business.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • ENS has its fingers on the pulse of the transactions as well as commerciality and negotiation skills. The firm has a great understanding of our business and requirements.

    Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Angela Itzikowitz
    Band 1Angela Itzikowitz

    Angela Itzikowitz

    Angela Itzikowitz maintains her reputation as one of South Africa's pre-eminent regulatory banking lawyers. Her broad expertise includes electronic payment issues, derivatives, insurance regulation, AML and securitisation.
  • Band 2Sean Lederman
    Band 2Sean Lederman

    Sean Lederman

    Sean Lederman is a highly experienced lawyer who is well versed in schemes of arrangement, restructurings, financings and refinancings. He represents groups of lenders in debt restructurings and acts for borrowers in complex refinancing arrangements.

  • Band 3Anina Boshoff
    Band 3Anina Boshoff

    Anina Boshoff

    Anina Boshoff has notable experience acting for both lenders and borrowers on lending transactions, including cross-border matters. She lists a number of notable South African banks among her clients.
  • Band 4Craig Saven
    Band 4Craig Saven

    Craig Saven

    Craig Saven is a prominent lawyer who specialises in cross-border structured trade and commodity finance. He advises banks and international financial institutions on sovereign loans as well as debt facilities of various denominations.

    • Craig Saven is truly a master in his role and excellent in providing us with whatever we require in a very short space of time.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • His knowledge and experience is extremely deep and he always comes up with workable solutions.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Deborah Carmichael
    Band 4Deborah Carmichael

    Deborah Carmichael

    Deborah Carmichael holds experience in the banking and finance space. She assists domestic and international clients with a range of work, from term facility agreements to banking structures and acquisition finance.

    • I enjoy working with Deborah Carmichael as she is very pragmatic.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • Deborah is very knowledgeable in banking and finance matters.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Jessica Blumenthal
    Band 4Jessica Blumenthal

    Jessica Blumenthal

    Jessica Blumenthal has experience advising on debt restructuring, preference share transactions and financial services regulation. She has represented major South African banks and consortiums in complex financing transactions.

    • Working with Jessica is amazing and you know the deal is going to be done.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • Jessica Blumenthal is excellent. She is very accommodating and gives really good advice.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
    • Jessica is a fantastic asset to any deal team.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Johann Basson
    Band 4Johann Basson

    Johann Basson

    Johann Basson represents prominent South African banks as lenders in investment financing and debt restructuring.

    • Johann Basson has a unique ability to know everything that's happening on a transaction. He can drive complex transactions with commercial negotiations and understanding of complex matters.

      Banking & Finance respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at ENS (7)

South Africa

Members

Provided by ENS

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