Projects & Energy: Power | Global

This is a renowned team with a strong project finance practice, frequently advising 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. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

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's clientele includes lenders, sponsors, development finance institutions and major global corporations.

Trinity International is a stellar 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 development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial banks. In addition to its market-leading power practice, the firm is also increasingly active in mining and oil and gas. Its offices are located in London, Paris and Washington, DC.

Gide 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 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 demonstrates a notable ability in advising Asian clients on Africa-bound investments. Its lawyers also adeptly handle instructions from national governments.

Linklaters 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. Linklaters 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. 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.

Norton Rose Fulbright operates a distinguished projects team that has deep-rooted Africa expertise and frequently acts on renewable energy and mining projects. In addition to its strength in project finance, advising development finance institutions (DFIs) and commercial lenders, it also handles sponsor-side representation and has experience assisting governments. 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.

ASAFO wins increasing recognition for its energy and infrastructure practice, which offers pan-African expertise through its network of regional offices and is often sought out by governmental bodies, international sponsors and developers. The team is active across a suite of renewable power projects, including significant hydroelectric developments, and supports clients on a broad array of developmental and operational mining mandates across western and central Africa. Its lawyers are further noted for their capacity to assist institutional investors in connection with infrastructure finance.

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. With notable strength in both northern and southern Africa, the Africa projects team principally operates out of its Johannesburg and London offices.

Hunton 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.

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, Paris and Johannesburg.