Ranking tables
Global Africa-wide Projects & Energy
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
Clifford Chance LLP 12 Years Ranked
Linklaters 12 Years Ranked- Allen & Overy LLP
- Herbert Smith Freehills
Band 2
Band 3
Band 4
Baker Botts UK LLP 12 Years Ranked- Baker McKenzie 12 Years Ranked
Bowmans 11 Years Ranked- Dentons 12 Years Ranked
DLA Piper LLP 11 Years Ranked
ENSafrica 8 Years Ranked
King & Spalding 8 Years Ranked
Milbank LLP 12 Years Ranked
Webber Wentzel 12 Years Ranked- ASAFO & CO.
- Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
- Simmons & Simmons LLP
Band 5
Senior Statespeople
Star Individuals
Band 1
Band 2
- Andrew Jones Linklaters11 Years Ranked
- Jeremy Connick Clifford Chance LLP16 Years Ranked
- Simon Norris Trinity International LLP14 Years Ranked
- Barthélemy Faye
- Bertrand Montembault
Band 3
Ben Donovan Covington & Burling LLP7 Years Ranked- Christophe Asselineau Norton Rose Fulbright19 Years Ranked
Mehdi Haroun King & Spalding13 Years Ranked
Robin Mizrahi Covington & Burling LLP15 Years Ranked
Ryan Ketchum Hunton Andrews Kurth11 Years Ranked- Boris Martor
- Martin Kavanagh
- Nina Bowyer
- Pascal Agboyibor
- Rebecca Major
- Yves Baratte
Band 4
- Alexander Msimang Vinson & Elkins RLLP17 Years Ranked
Daryn Webb Bowmans16 Years Ranked
John Crothers Gide Loyrette Nouel22 Years Ranked- Kaushik Ray Trinity International LLP5 Years Ranked
- Martin McCann Norton Rose Fulbright16 Years Ranked
Thierry Lauriol Jeantet23 Years Ranked- Brigette Baillie
- Simon Ratledge
Band 5
Agnieszka Klich Covington & Burling LLP13 Years Ranked
Alexander Sarac Addleshaw Goddard LLP5 Years Ranked- Arun Velusami Hogan Lovells11 Years Ranked
Jason Fox Bracewell (UK) LLP17 Years Ranked
Jason van der Poel Webber Wentzel12 Years Ranked
Mukund Dhar White & Case LLP2 Years Ranked- Olivier Fille-Lambie Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP11 Years Ranked
- Yves Lepage Orrick Rambaud Martel12 Years Ranked
- Yann Alix
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 Clifford Chance LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 1 | 12 Years RankedA leader in the African projects and energy market, Clifford Chance demonstrates top-drawer capability in power, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining. The group is highly adept in supporting sponsors and lenders through the design, building, financing and operation of projects across the continent. Its lawyers possess notable expertise in novel IPP and power mandates across the full array of renewable energy areas, from hydropower to wind, solar and geothermal. The department is also frequently mandated on corporate matters, commercial agreements and international disputes, including significant matters handled on behalf of major mining houses. With key strengths in its Paris and London offices, the firm's clientele includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.1 LinklatersProjects & Energy2023 | Band 1 | 12 Years RankedLinklaters operates an outstanding practice group that is often mandated on major transactions by all types of project parties, including some of Africa's largest project financing matters. The firm advises sponsors and lenders on high-profile energy and infrastructure projects as well as handling a range of related corporate matters. The firm possesses significant strength in oil and gas, acting on a number of large-scale upstream and LNG projects. Additionally, the team advises on notable mining and renewables mandates, as well as PPPs in the healthcare sector. Demonstrating a strong presence in the anglophone, francophone and lusophone markets, the practice is bolstered by the firm's extensive network across the continent, most significantly by its alliance with Webber Wentzel in South Africa.
Band 2
2 Gide Loyrette NouelProjects & Energy2023 | Band 2 | 12 Years RankedGide Loyrette Nouel is a strong French law firm with an enviable presence in francophone Africa. An established name in the representation of state-owned companies, the group is sought after for its representation of international financial institutions (IFIs), private sponsors and developers in energy projects and infrastructure developments concerning ports and municipal services. It is regularly instructed on high-profile renewable energy projects, including wind and hydroelectric power matters. The Paris-based team is equally highly adept in oil and gas projects and transactions, and demonstrates notable ability in advising Asian clients on Africa-bound investments. Its lawyers also adeptly handle instructions from national governments.
2 Norton Rose FulbrightProjects & Energy2023 | Band 2 | 12 Years RankedNorton Rose Fulbright operates a distinguished projects team that has deep-rooted Africa expertise and frequently acts on renewable, mining, and oil and gas projects. In addition to its strength in project finance, advising DFIs and commercial lenders, it also handles sponsor-side representation and assists governments with concessions and state projects. The firm's experience spans power, telecoms, road, rail and ports, as well as maintaining a robust mining practice. The group is also active on renewable energy projects including wind and solar, as well as on sustainable bond mandates. The team demonstrates broad coverage across the continent, with key offices in Johannesburg and Casablanca as well as Paris and London.
2 White & Case LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 2 | 12 Years RankedWhite & Case operates a prominent energy and projects group with impressive capabilities across Africa. The firm applies its extensive energy expertise to the financing and development of significant mining projects, frequently acting as counsel to lenders and sponsors. It is further sought after for its experience of high-profile oil and gas matters, covering complex finance and commercial issues particularly in the LNG space. Regularly instructed on infrastructure projects, including industrial facilities and transport, the team also assists in relation to the commercial considerations of power projects. With key hubs in London, Johannesburg and Paris, the firm also has the capacity to handle noteworthy M&A and private equity investments.
Band 3
3 Covington & Burling LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedCovington & Burling possesses strength in both sponsor and developer-side work in the renewable energy sector, advising on the development, financing and construction of wind farms, thermal power projects, hydropower stations and solar projects. The firm also offers expertise in infrastructure projects in the water, mining and transport sectors, and is active on a number of gas and coal power plant developments, with notable involvement in South Africa's IPP procurement programmes. With notable strength in both North and southern Africa, the Africa projects team principally operates out of its Johannesburg and London offices.
3 Hogan LovellsProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 9 Years RankedHogan Lovells is a well-recognised multinational law firm with a well-respected projects practice in Africa. The team advises its broad client roster of investors and lenders, government entities and energy companies on the financing, refinancing and development of projects. The group is notably active providing counsel on renewable energy projects, with transport infrastructure, including toll roads and airports, as well as telecoms infrastructure being other areas of focus. The firm provides notable representation out of its London, Paris and Johannesburg offices.
3 Hunton Andrews Kurth LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 12 Years RankedHunton Andrews Kurth is an established name well known for its representation of governments and state utilities in power sector development and strategy, notably involving the rollout of IPP frameworks. The team has keen experience in the renewables space, including off-grid energy matters. The firm demonstrates particular expertise in power purchase agreements, as well as acting for international financial institutions on their involvement in state-run programmes across Africa. With further experience in infrastructure and PPP mandates, as well as project financing and O&M concessions, the team demonstrates strong a geographic reach across the continent, with particular activity in East and West Africa.
3 Mayer Brown International LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 12 Years RankedMayer Brown is a high-profile international law firm with a distinguished mining practice across Africa. The team is recognised for its representation of banks and financial institutions in various financing and development mandates relating to renewable, hydropower and LNG projects. Additionally, the firm's expertise extends to energy-related disputes and novel IPP mandates. The group is adept at handling corporate matters on behalf of petrochemicals companies, as well as advising a long list of sponsors and governments on project development. The team draws on its global network to support clients across anglophone, francophone and lusophone Africa.
3 Shearman & Sterling LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 12 Years RankedShearman & Sterling has a well-regarded group with recognised strengths in power and oil and gas, including LNG. The firm also possesses formidable strength in the mining sector, covering finance, development and transactional mandates. The group advises a number of IOCs on liquefaction projects and terminal facilities, among other matters. Operating primarily out of London and Paris, the firm is equally well equipped to act on financings, developments and offtake agreements regarding large-scale power projects, and is recognised for its work advising Asian lenders on their African transactions.
3 Trinity International LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 3 | 12 Years RankedTrinity International is a stellar power and energy boutique with an eminent reputation for early-phase development work across Africa. The firm demonstrates a strong commitment to the continent and is frequently mandated to act for sponsors on innovative IPPs and projects in the renewables sector, including solar, hydro, wind and geothermal. Its further areas of expertise include distribution networks and integrated grid projects. The team is also sought out by governments for advice on energy sector development and is increasingly acting for lenders, including DFIs and commercial banks. Its offices are located in London, Paris and Washington, DC.
Band 4
4 Baker Botts UK LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 12 Years RankedBaker Botts is a well-regarded US law firm with a strong track record in energy and natural resources. The firm demonstrates an impressive capability regarding oil and gas matters, handling project structuring, block acquisitions, production sharing and issues related to gas rights and farm-outs, as well as M&A. The team advises sponsors and developers on such issues as IPP programmes and financing, and has notable expertise in Egypt as well as southern Africa. The department represents an impressive array of global and regional oil companies and is also experienced in acting for government-owned entities and utility companies.4 Baker McKenzieProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 12 Years RankedBaker McKenzie houses a respected projects and infrastructure team that is well versed in the gamut of contractual matters including PPAs and EPCs. With lawyers active out of the firm's Cairo, Paris and Johannesburg offices, the department often acts for regional banks, development funds and mining companies. With excellent experience in IPP programmes, particularly in South Africa, the group demonstrates further capabilities in advising Asian clients looking to enter the African market.4 BowmansProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedBowmans is a renowned South African law firm with a network of offices and affiliates across southern African jurisdictions, including Kenya and Tanzania. Its lawyers handle all aspects of project development, ranging from infrastructure PPP tenders to IPP financing and power plant maintenance. The department acts on transport and social infrastructure mandates, with a particularly sophisticated renewable energy practice assisting with various hydroelectric, solar and wind energy projects.4 DentonsProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 12 Years RankedDentons is a prominent international law firm with a broad footprint of affiliate offices across Africa. It has particularly notable strengths in its Johannesburg office, with further expertise spread across its global network. Well versed in energy and infrastructure mandates, and advising on an array of development and financing issues, such as procurement and transmission, resource licensing and PPAs, as well as EPC contracts, the team possesses additional expertise in oil and gas, including energy regulations.4 DLA Piper LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 11 Years RankedDLA Piper is an international law firm with a widespread network across the continent. Its growing Africa-focused projects group is led by partners based in the UK and South Africa, with the team frequently acting as lenders' counsel on the financing of major renewable energy, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining projects. In addition to transactional work, the firm is also well placed to offer advice on regulatory matters within the energy and mining sectors. Its work as international counsel is complemented by local counsel roles in jurisdictions across anglophone, francophone and lusophone Africa.4 ENSafricaProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 8 Years RankedENSafrica is a well-regarded regional law firm with impressive reach across Africa, with offices in Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Mauritius, among other countries. The firm is a popular choice of counsel for energy and infrastructure projects in southern and eastern Africa in particular, with experience advising on pipeline and renewable energy projects. The group frequently advises lenders and sponsors on cross-border transactions, servicing its clients seamlessly through the cooperation of its network of offices. The firm is instructed as both local counsel and lead counsel on various mandates.4 King & SpaldingProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 8 Years RankedKing & Spalding demonstrates significant oil and gas expertise, handling large-scale LNG projects and oilfield developments for major private and publicly owned oil companies. The practice further assists with M&A in the sector, as well as joint ventures and other commercial agreements. The department runs matters from its Houston, London and Paris offices and is especially prominent in North Africa, with an increasing presence on energy projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Its lawyers are also equipped to handle disputes and power plant developments, with notable experience in gas IPP programmes.4 Milbank LLPProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 12 Years RankedMilbank is highly regarded as lender-side counsel on big-ticket project financings, notably acting for export credit agencies and development finance institutions, as well as commercial banks. The firm provides further capacity in the mining sector, in which the team has acted on a variety of projects across sub-Saharan Africa. It demonstrates further activity in the financing of infrastructure projects and is additionally well placed to offer support on corporate transactions, restructurings and joint ventures.4 Webber WentzelProjects & Energy2023 | Band 4 | 12 Years RankedWebber Wentzel is a well-reputed South African law firm noted for its deft handling of energy and natural resources matters in southern Africa. The team is well versed in all aspects of projects, from structuring and financing to development and operation, as well as handling acquisitions and dispositions. The firm is particularly regarded for its work on mining projects, including on power supply and transmission connection agreements. The department demonstrates further expertise in renewable energy projects and subsequent front-end construction matters.
Band 5
5 Eversheds SutherlandProjects & Energy2023 | Band 5 | 12 Years RankedEversheds Sutherland operates a robust Africa projects practice out of the firm's Dubai, Paris and Tunis offices. It is often retained by governments, institutional investors and power producers across anglophone and francophone jurisdictions. The team offers specific expertise across renewable power project development, with further knowledge of infrastructure financing. The firm benefits from its Africa Alliance when advising on matters across the continent.
5 Miranda & AssociadosProjects & Energy2023 | Band 5 | 12 Years RankedMiranda & Associados is highly respected for its lusophone expertise and multi-jurisdictional capabilities, with a network of offices and affiliates across southern Africa. The firm also possesses expertise in francophone Africa with associated offices in Cameroon, Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Congo. Its lawyers are frequently instructed as both international and local counsel on oil and gas transactions and developments, as well as regulatory and concession issues. The team has additional experience in renewable power plant projects, as well as infrastructure matters.
5 VdAProjects & Energy2023 | Band 5 | 2 Years RankedVdA is a well-established Portuguese law firm that possesses considerable expertise in lusophone Africa, most significantly in Angola and Mozambique, including with regard to large cross-continental projects. It also has further strength advising on matters arising in francophone jurisdictions. The group possesses a significant presence in the oil and gas sector, where it represents major international companies and development banks. In addition to providing counsel on development and financing mandates, the group handles corporate issues such as restructurings, and transactions across the mining and infrastructure spaces.