About the awards

We are delighted to announce that we will be virtually hosting the Chambers Africa Awards 2021 for the second time in the course of our awards programme.

We have made our selection after an appraisal of the most innovative, outstanding work conducted by each firm. The awards also reflect notable achievements over the past 12 months, including impressive strategic growth and excellence in client service.

The awards categories will include three Africa-wide awards, two regional awards, 6 country awards and one individual award. Details about the individual award will be announced during the virtual ceremony.

Chambers Africa Awards 2021 – Shortlists

South Africa Law Firm of the Year

Bowmans
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr
ENSafrica
Webber Wentzel
Werksmans

Winner: Webber Wentzel

Full-service firm Webber Wentzel remains one of South Africa’s foremost providers of legal services, with an internationally recognised reputation for quality. In particular, the firm is known as a mining and minerals powerhouse, with one commentator saying: “They are in a league of their own.” Notably, the firm’s “one-stop-shop” corporate/M&A team recently advised Pioneer Foods on its ZAR25 billion acquisition by PepsiCo. The firm also stands out for its expertise in debt and finance, competition, telecoms, private equity, and dispute resolution. Its alliance with global law firm Linklaters further augments its position as a pan-African player.

Kenya Law Firm of the Year

Anjarwalla & Khanna
Bowmans (Coulson Harney)
Dentons Hamilton Harrison & Mathews
Iseme, Kamau & Maema Advocates (IKM)
Kaplan & Stratton

Winner: Anjarwalla & Khanna

Anjarwalla & Khanna remains at the forefront of the legal market in Kenya and further afield – as the founding member of the Africa Legal Network, an alliance of leading law firms in 15 African jurisdictions and the UAE, it is valued by clients for its seamless approach to regional transactions and cases. It is regularly sought after to advise on stock exchange listings and major M&A and banking deals, with numerous mandates spanning Eastern Africa and beyond; sources variously agree that it is “one of the top law firms in this part of the world.” The firm operates a top-level energy practice in Kenya, handling a tremendous amount of work across the power space, as well as offering experienced counsel on related employment matters and high-end disputes.

Nigeria Law Firm of the Year

Aluko & Oyebode
Banwo & Ighodalo
G. Elias & Co.
Jackson, Etti & Edu
Olaniwun Ajayi LP
Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie

Winner: Aluko & Oyebode

A well-known firm at the forefront of the market across numerous practice areas, Aluko & Oyebode is often engaged in some of the most significant transactions, financings and disputes in Nigeria. Interviewees describe their work capacity as “broad and impressive” with clients deeming them “a go-to law firm for international companies in Nigeria.” One client described the group’s performance on a matter as “remarkable.” The team impresses with a client list that boasts international lenders, major domestic brands and leading energy companies. Its deep bench offers extensive expertise on legal matters in the country, with sources noting: “They’re plugged into the issues facing big companies.”

Ghana Law Firm of the Year

AB & David
Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah
ENSAfrica Ghana
JLD & MB Legal Consultancy
KIMATHI & PARTNERS, Corporate Attorneys
Reindorf Chambers

Winner: Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah

A leading group across various practice areas in the Ghanaian market, Bentsi-Enchill, Letsa & Ankomah is known as “the godfather of law firms in Ghana” amongst market commentators. The team possesses long-standing experience handling some of the market’s most pivotal transactions and disputes, notably assisting with investments into Ghana. Peers say when working with the group it brings “lots of value,” adding that “their ability to handle issues and the maturity with which they deal with them means working with them is a pleasure.” The team is engaged by leading domestic names and public entities, as well as international corporations on landmark financings and transactions.

Morocco Law Firm of the Year

Benzakour Law Firm
Clifford Chance International LLP
Gide Cuatrecasas Casablanca
Kettani Law Firm
Naciri & Associés Allen & Overy

Winner: Naciri & Associés

Naciri & Associés is well established as the go-to law firm in Morocco. The team commands great respect among fellow legal professionals and is known for its long history of involvement in market-leading transactions spanning the fields of finance, M&A and private equity. Highlight matters of late include advising Attijariwafa Bank on its financing for NBK Capital Partners’ acquisition of Moroccan pharma company Polymedic. In addition to transactional work, the firm offers further expertise in regulatory and dispute resolution matters. Naciri’s decade-long integration into the global Allen & Overy network continues to provide its extensive list of major clients with worldwide support on an array of multi-jurisdictional matters.

Mauritius Law Firm of the Year

5 St James Court
Appleby
Benoit Chambers
BLC Robert & Associates
ENSafrica (Mauritius)

Winner: BLC Robert & Associates

BLC Roberts & Associates is an established leader in the Mauritian market, impressing with its role on high-stakes transactions and disputes. The group is praised for its in-depth knowledge of Mauritian laws and procedures, with clients regarding it as a “go-to firm in Mauritius.” Observers also highlight the firm’s considerable bench strength, with international peers describing the team as “great local counsel.” The firm is routinely mandated by leading domestic and international financial institutions, as well as playing a significant role on major hospitality mandates in the country. The firm also benefits from its wider association with the ALN network when advising on pan-African matters.

Regional Law Firm of the Year: Francophone Africa

Allen & Overy
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Clifford Chance LLP
Gide Loyrette Nouel
VdA

Winner: Clifford Chance LLP

Clifford Chance has played a key role on major developments across Francophone Africa. The firm has frequently been involved in projects in Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon with further activity in Senegal, Gabon, Burkina Faso and Mali, to name a few. The firm is often engaged on mandates across Francophone Africa from its Casablanca office, with further expertise in its Paris office. Clients appreciate the firm’s ability to “co-ordinate matters involving players in several jurisdictions” noting that the team “excels in doing so.” The group is sought after for its project finance expertise, and it often advises lenders to transformative projects across the francophone region.

Regional Law Firm of the Year: Lusophone Africa

Abreu Advogados
Miranda & Associados
PLMJ Lawyers
Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown
VdA

Winner: Miranda & Associados

This well-established Portuguese firm enjoys an outstanding reputation throughout Lusophone Africa, benefitting from associations with market leaders on the ground. Miranda & Associados offers clients a wealth of experience in the region, having acted for many blue-chip energy and natural resources companies and government bodies on key developments and transactions. Interviewees view the team as “the most prominent in Angola,” further commending the group as “pioneers in Mozambique.” The firm notably acted for Total Exploration and Production Moçambique Area 1 on its proposed LNG project in the country and representatives of Angola and Namibia on the Permanent Joint Technical Commission on a hydro project.

Africa-wide Projects & Energy Law Firm of the Year

Allen & Overy LLP
Clifford Chance LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills
Linklaters
Trinity International LLP

Winner: Trinity International LLP

This boutique firm is renowned for its impressive track record handling power projects on the continent. Observers are quick to highlight the depth of experience of the team in this space, pointing to its involvement in renewable projects. Interviewees describe Trinity International as “innovators,” placing them at “the cutting edge of the market.” One client opined that “they are the best firm for energy work in Africa” while another said: “It’s one of my favourite firms.” The team assists project companies and lenders with both the development and financing of some of Africa’s most high-profile power mandates.

Africa-wide Dispute Resolution Law Firm of the Year

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Clifford Chance LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills
Shearman & Sterling LLP
White & Case LLP

Winner: Shearman & Sterling LLP

Shearman & Sterling wins widespread recognition for its activity in and commitment to dispute resolution work in Africa. Led by a celebrated Paris-based team, it has a particularly stellar reputation for its focus on international arbitration, including both investment and commercial cases brought under ICC, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules, among others. The firm often represents African states and state-owned entities and advises both African and European companies involved in complex commercial disputes. It is especially prolific in North Africa, including Algeria and Egypt, where the team is said to have “phenomenal relationships.” It is also increasingly involved in matters involving sub-Saharan African jurisdictions.

Africa-wide Corporate Law Firm of the Year

Allen & Overy LLP
Clifford Chance LLP
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills
Linklaters
Norton Rose Fulbright

Winner: Linklaters

This elite global firm maintains a sustained and invested focus on African business and development opportunities by way of influential partners based in London, Paris, and Lisbon. It is well positioned to advise on an excellent range of work across the continent, including major mergers, sales, investment and corporate restructuring transactions, as well as advising on the London listings of African businesses. The firm has strong connections and insight into major markets including Nigeria and the Ivory Coast, as well as South Africa, where it maintains a notable alliance with market-leading local firm Webber Wentzel. Recent notable highlights include advising the Government of Gabon on the acquisition and subsequent sale of Banque Internationale pour le Commerce et l’Industrie du Gabon.