Primerio

Primerio is a pan-African law firm with on-the-ground professionals specialising in antitrust / competition, regulatory and corporate / commercial, project development, IP and litigation matters. Our lawyers work intimately with clients in navigating an increasingly complex legal landscape on the African continent, delivering commercially oriented, results driven, legal advice and future-proof counselling.

With three regional hubs in South Africa, Mauritius and Kenya, and a network of dedicated in-country partners in key strategic locations across the Continent, Primerio delivers seamless, cost-effective and high-quality legal advice across Africa, with competent, experienced professionals and a combination of over seven decades of experience.

Competition Law / Antitrust and Foreign Direct Investment

Primerio International boasts the first dedicated pan-African competition law practice. Having been instructed in numerous precedent-setting cases, our attorneys are recognised as thought leaders, frequently driving advocacy initiatives in both nascent and established regulatory regimes, through COMESA, Nigeria to South Africa.We have advised numerous multinationals in all areas of competition law, including merger control, cartel investigations, abuse of dominance cases, follow-on damages, exemption applications and general counselling and compliance.

White Collar Crime, Asset Recovery and Corporate Investigations

Primerio's White Collar Crime, Asset Recovery and Corporate Investigations practice provides first-rate expertise in navigating the complexities of matters involving alleged financial misconduct,corrupt activities, fraud, regulatory breaches and the like, including confidential internal investigations. We have counselled numerous corporations and individuals, offering guidance on compliance, sophisticated investigations, and defence strategies. Our team is experienced in conducting forensic audits, appearing before Commissions of Inquiry, and defending clients in criminal investigations. Leveraging a strategic, multi-disciplinary approach, we assist clients in recovering misappropriated assets, mitigating legal risks and safeguarding their reputations in high-stakes matters. Whether addressing allegations of financial crimes, corruption or regulatory misconduct, or implementing proactive compliance frameworks, we deliver practical solutions that align with our clients' broader business objectives.

Complex Litigation and Arbitration

Primerio's Complex Litigation and Arbitration team specialises in resolving high-stakes disputes through litigation, arbitration and mediation. With deep expertise across industries and sectors, our team handles commercial and cross-border cases, guiding clients through every stage of the process, from pre-litigation strategy to post-judgment enforcement. Primerio's team combines technical precision with innovative solutions, delivering results aligned with our clients' goals, and serving as trusted advisors as they navigate their most complex legal challenges.

Corporate, including Regulatory, Intellectual Property and Compliance

Primerio provides strategic representation, structuring as well as advice to clients facing regulatory investigations, enforcement actions, and compliance challenges. We support businesses across various sectors, managing high-stake matters involving financial crime, data protection and other regulatory frameworks. Our team combines a deep understanding and workable knowledge of mercantile law matters, including, inter alia, complex regulatory issues with a proactive approach to risk management, thus helping clients mitigate exposure and resolve disputes effectively.

Our practice benefits from our practitioners providing legal counsel both locally and abroad. The Primerio team has extensive experience litigating across multiple jurisdictions, with a background of advising on, and structuring some of the largest transactions and disputes involving intellectual property, including securing rights, commercialisation and counterfeiting. The Primerio team delivers practical, business-oriented solutions to safeguard clients’ operations and reputations with a knowledge of interplay between the various and, often conflicting, fields of law.

Project Development and Construction

The Primerio team has demonstrated a history of working in the engineering and construction sector and has significant experience in representing clients in all areas of construction and engineering law. This experience includes front-end negotiations, contract drafting, contract management and dispute resolution. Primerio is well-versed in providing commercial and corporate legal advice in relation to transactions, restructuring and project development.

South Africa, Johannesburg

• • 135 Daisy Street, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa
  • John Oxenham, +27 11 083 2411

Mauritius, Port Louis

• • Suite 401, St James Court, St Denis Street, Port Louis, Mauritius
  • Gilbert Noel, +230 5255 2895

Kenya, Nairobi

• • Kalson Towers, 2nd Floor, The Crescent, off Parklands Road, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Fidel Mwaki, +254 725 762 784 / +254 726 028 988