Projects & Energy | Global

A&O Shearman is home to a renowned project finance practice which frequently advises major regional and international development finance institutions (DFIs) and banks on syndicated finance transactions in Africa. The team is notably active on the financing of mining and oil and gas projects, with extensive project development experience, including the negotiation of EPC contracts. A formidable presence in power projects with considerable experience acting for lenders, sponsors and developers, the firm holds additional expertise in infrastructure, wind, hydro and thermal.

A 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 has a clientele that includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

Herbert Smith Freehills operates a formidable projects and energy group with eminent expertise in mining and infrastructure mandates. The group applies its profound knowledge to such matters as joint venture projects, acting for sponsors as well as investors. Further esteemed for its work in the power sector, and notably advising on high-profile renewable energy projects, the team has expertise that extends to knowledge of upstream and midstream oil and gas developments. The firm harnesses the Africa expertise in its Paris office to provide a distinguished francophone offering which is enhanced through its presence on the ground via its office in Johannesburg, as well as through the depth of its projects group in London.

White & 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 advising on high-profile oil and gas matters, covering complex finance and commercial issues particularly in the LNG space. Regularly instructed on infrastructure and power projects, the team frequently assists with various commercial advisory and transactional issues stemming from such work, including private equity investments. Key hubs for the firm's African projects team include London and Johannesburg.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is a leading French law firm with an enviable presence in francophone Africa. An established name in the representation of state-owned companies, the group is also sought after for its representation of 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. Its lawyers also adeptly handle instructions from national governments.

Ashurst fields an established team in the Africa projects space which acts on developments in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. The firm's robust workload in the oil and gas sector covers upstream, midstream and downstream matters. Equipped to handle corporate transactions as well as disputes, the group also offers strong capabilities in OHADA-governed matters.

Hogan Lovells is a well-recognised multinational law firm with a respected projects practice in Africa. It represents several clients in the oil and gas sector, offering advice on production-sharing contracts, entry into new African markets and various strategic investments. The team is also active assisting with the financing of, and investment in, significant solar and hydropower projects. The firm typically staffs African projects matters out of its London and Paris offices. The transactional team is well supported by the firm's disputes lawyers when it comes to contentious issues arising out of energy sector investments.

Mayer Brown maintains a distinguished mining practice across Africa. The team is also 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. The group is adept at handling corporate matters on behalf of petrochemical 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.

Baker 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 and international banks, as well as mining and renewable energy companies. The group has excellent experience in IPP programmes, particularly in South Africa.

Covington & 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. The Africa projects team principally operates out of its Johannesburg and London offices.

DLA Piper has a widespread network across Africa. Its growing Africa-focused projects group principally comprises 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.

King & Spalding is noted for its wide-ranging oil and gas expertise, with a long history at the forefront of major transactional work in the sector globally. It is also well versed in assisting clients with the financing and development of renewable energy projects. Further areas of experience include files concerning the rollout of new telecoms infrastructure. Key lawyers in the Africa group are based in the UK, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Watson Farley & Williams has a growing African projects team drawing principally on the expertise of lawyers based in Dubai, London and Paris. It has broad capabilities, advising on the acquisition of hydrocarbon assets and project finance as well as a variety of corporate and commercial mandates pertinent to this field, including the formation of joint ventures. Its activity spans the continent, with recent work originating in countries as diverse as Namibia, Somalia, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire.

Clyde & Co handles energy and infrastructure projects across the continent, with notable strength in southern Africa. Bolstered by its presence in Dar es Salaam, in addition to its offices in Nairobi, Cape Town and Johannesburg, the firm acts for sponsors, lenders and developers, as well as energy companies. It is well versed in advising on investments in, and the financing of, energy projects and offers additional expertise in relation to infrastructure and PPPs.

CMS has an expansive international footprint, with an on-the-ground presence in several African countries. These offices are supported on projects matters by numerous others across the firm's network. The firm's work covers finance and development mandates, with a notably strong track record in southern and lusophone Africa. The firm is also well versed in assisting oil and gas companies with the acquisition of mining and hydrocarbon assets.

Miranda & 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 Congo Brazzaville. 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.

Webber 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 mining work and demonstrates further expertise in renewable energy projects and subsequent front-end construction matters.