DLA Piper Africa, Rwanda (Equity Juris Chambers)

Partners: Moses Gatama Kiiza, Calvin Mitali and Ian Mulisa
Number of partners: 3
Number of lawyers: 6
Languages: English, French & Kinyarwanda

FIRM OVERVIEW:
Equity Juris Chambers (EJC) is one of Rwanda’s leading law firms providing comprehensive business legal services to a range of clients. EJC has a proven legal expertise and the ability to provide advice carefully tailored to client’s needs and expectations.

EJC’s firm grasp of the local business environment and in-depth understanding of the region's intricate socio-economic environment is significantly aided by the diverse skills, interests and backgrounds of its attorneys. The skilled, enthusiastic and innovative team sets it apart from other local firms. The firm’s expertise and commitment to integrity, excellence and hard work combined with dedication to servicing the needs of clients, enables it to fulfill and often exceed clients' expectations.

EJC is also a member of DLA Piper Africa, a Swiss Verein whose members are comprised of independent law firms in Africa working with DLA Piper. DLA Piper is a leading international law firm, with more than 4,200 lawyers providing legal services from 90 offices in over 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. EJC works closely with other DLA Piper firms to provide co-ordinated legal services to regional and international businesses across Africa and the globe.

EJC regularly works on significant international transactions, which has further broadened its multi-jurisdictional commercial legal expertise. This combination of global reach and local expertise has enabled EJC to attract a significant local and international client base. A wide range of local and international clients, including financial institutions, investors in various sectors, development agencies, NGOs and government departments, rely on the firm for insight and advice.

MAIN AREAS OF PRACTICE: 

Banking and Finance Law 3 Partners and 3 other fee earners based in Kigali:
• EJC advised local and foreign banks in a club deal with regard to a phased financing of a new international airport.
• EJC advised Finnvera on the regulatory framework relating to the use of negotiable instruments in Rwanda.
• EJC advised FMO and FINNFUND in the financing of a forestry company in Rwanda.
• EJC advised a consortium of regional and local Banks in a $93 million syndicated financing of Rwanda’s leading cement manufacturer for construction of a new plant.
• EJC advised the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on various matters including: development of a Leasing Investment Guide; and drafting a law on the Establishment of Free Economic Zones.
• EJC advised commodities trading multinational in the preparation of transaction documents for two project finance deals in the mining sector.
• EJC acted as local counsel for PTA Bank and two other local banks in the financing of a four star hotel in Kigali.
• EJC advised Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in relation to its acquisition of a substantial stake in Fina Bank Limited (Kenya).
• EJC advised Eastern and Southern African Development and Trade Bank (PTA Bank) and Export Import Bank (EX-IM Bank USA) in the financing of acquisition of Boeing aircrafts by Rwandair.

Contact: Moses Gatama Kiiza,
Tel: +250 788 303 877
Email: [email protected]

Energy Law 3 Partners and 3 other fee earners based in Kigali:
• EJC advised an East African power company on the structuring and preparation of a Power Purchase Agreement in respect of a $30million hydro power plant.
• EJC is advising Symbion Power in the development of a 50MW methane gas fired power plant.
• EJC advised Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Infrastructure to develop model agreements in the energy sector.
• EJC advised ECO Power Group of Companies in relation to the implementation of a 9.5MW hydro power plant construction.
• EJC advised a Turkish power company regarding its acquisition of a mining concession in Rwanda for the exploitation of peat in development of a 100MW power plant.
Contact: Calvin Mitali,
Tel: +250 788 300 981
Email: [email protected]

Project Finance and Infrastructure3 Partners and 3 other fee earners based in Kigali:
• EJC advised a UAE multinational in respect of a $34 million dry port terminal transaction.
• EJC advised a private equity fund with the legal review of two private equity deals in the food and agricultural processing sectors.
• EJC advised Fusion Capital, a UK private equity firm in the development of a $27 million high rise commercial space property in Kigali.
• EJC acted as local Counsel for International Finance Corporation (IFC) with respect to the PPP structuring of the $75million Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project.
• EJC advised a telecom multinational in a $100 million syndicated project finance transaction involving DnB Bank and Nordea Bank.
Contact: Moses Gatama Kiiza,
Tel: +250 788 303 877
Email: [email protected]

Employment and Labour Law3 Partners and 3 other fee earners based in Kigali:
• EJC acted for the Rwanda Development Board, the investment promotion agency, in the development of information packages for investors, which among others, highlighted pertinent issues relating to labour and employment.
• EJC is advising various international development agencies on legal and public policy compliance issues including labour and employment matters.
• EJC is advising corporations on labour matters including representation before the Labour Inspectorate and in courts of law.
Contact: Calvin Mitali,
Tel: +250 788 300 981
Email: [email protected]

Corporate and Commercial Law3 Partners and 3 other fee earners based in Kigali:
• EJC advised KCB Group on the acquisition of Banque Populaire Du Rwanda.
• EJC advised Vivo Energy in the purchase of 13 petrol and service stations increasing its network significantly from 27 to 40 service station.
• EJC advised an overseas investor on the sale of a USD 16 Million stake in a local bank.
• EJC advised the Oryx Group in a proposed asset acquisition in the downstream petroleum sector.
• EJC acted for Airbus, ECGD, COFACE and EULER HERMES in the US$250M sale and financing of A330 aircrafts to Rwandair.
• EJC advised an overseas investment group on the negotiation, structuring and establishment of a nutritious food factory in Rwanda with a value of $23million.
• EJC is advising a UK venture capital fund with the structuring and establishment of social enterprises along a venture capital model.
• EJC advised a USA fashion design company in respect of their support to Rwandan producers of handcraft, apparel and leather merchandise to enhance export of their products.
• EJC is advising Mastercard Foundation in relation to establishing operations in Rwanda.
• EJC is advising a subsidiary of Heineken in relation to its operations in Rwanda.
Contact: Ian Mulisa
Tel: +250 788 304 565
Email: [email protected]

PRACTICE AREAS
Corporate and Commercial Law
Banking and Finance Law
Energy Law
Project Finance and Infrastructure
Employment and Labor
Administrative and Public Law
Real Estate and Conveyancing
Bankruptcy Law
Capital Markets and Securities Law
Dispute Resolution: Litigation and Arbitration
Due Diligence
Civil Law
Environmental Law
Financial Services
Franchising and Licensing
Intellectual Property Law
Law Reform
Legal Drafting
Mergers and Acquisitions
Leasing
Tax Law

OFFICES:  

RWANDA, KIGALI:
KG 566 ST 14, Kimihurura,
P.O. Box 6381, Kigali, Rwanda
Tel: +250 280303877
Email: [email protected]