Global South Africa Capital Markets: Debt

Bowmans fields a deep bench of experienced lawyers with an outstanding reputation in both debt and equity capital markets in South Africa. The team is involved in a variety of domestic and cross-border matters and it frequently assists major regional and international financial institutions with high-value note programmes and bond issuances. The department is equally well versed in IPOs, inward listings, accelerated bookbuild share placements and Black Economic Empowerment matters. The team regularly acts as counsel to bookrunners and underwriters, and provides counsel on regulatory developments concerning the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

ENSafrica houses a capital markets team that is especially prominent in the debt space and regularly advises clients on MTN programmes, securitisations and a range of other matters. The firm acts for a number of major clients in the financial services, manufacturing and logistics sectors as well as a range of domestic and multinational banking bodies, notable pension funds and investment organisations. Its outstanding debt expertise is complemented by a strong equity practice, covering private placements, public offerings and listings. The department also possesses notable experience handling international capital raises.

Webber Wentzel operates a distinguished capital markets practice with an impressive bench and first-rate experience of cross-border inward listings. The firm regularly appears on some of the largest deals in South Africa. It is highly regarded for its representation of issuers, and also has a significant practice advising bookrunners and arrangers. The team's expertise covers the full spectrum of capital markets matters, while its client base includes leading national and international financial institutions and household names from various sectors. The department possesses further experience assisting with corporate restructuring and unbundling mandates, as well as the resulting listings changes.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr houses an established capital markets group, featuring skilled lawyers and offering comprehensive coverage of both the debt and equity markets. The firm possesses notable experience assisting with exchange licence applications, IPOs, note issuances and securities regulatory issues in South Africa and abroad. CDH services a broad roster of clients, consisting of domestic and regional financial institutions, Black Economic Empowerment groups and an impressive assortment of corporate entities.

Werksmans Attorneys has a robust team with a deep understanding of DCM and a loyal client following. The firm is particularly skilled at advising on the establishment and refinancing of note programmes, including asset-backed, unsecured, step-rate and floating-rate notes. The department represents a number of South Africa’s investment banks as well as corporations, investment funds and special purpose vehicles in their capacity as issuers. It also has experience handling multi-jurisdictional mandates.