Amie Bensouda & Co

Managing Partners: Amie N D Bensouda
Number of partners: 2
Number of lawyers: 10
Languages: English, French, Mandinka, Wollof

Firm Overview:
Established in 1995 by the managing partner Ms Amie N D Bensouda, the firm has been consistently regarded as the most experienced local firm in corporate transaction work and the only firm in The Gambia with the capacity, expertise and resources to undertake large and complex transactions in specialised areas. The firm remains a leader in all of its practices areas such as corporate and commercial, banking and finance, communications (telecommunications and broadcasting) and intellectual property. The firm has a reputation for diligence and commitment to its clients, its main focus is in providing legal services to international companies/corporations operating or with business interests in The Gambia, or seeking investment opportunities. In recent years, the firm has successfully conducted or advised in a substantial number of the major sales and acquisitions deals in The Gambia involving foreign/international companies and investors.

Main Areas of Practice:

Corporate & Commercial:
The firm represents a diverse group of corporate and business clients including individuals, partnerships, public corporations. It handles and advises, among other things, the setting up and operations of companies, restructuring, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, insolvency and international trade.

■ Local Gambian Co-Counsel in the representation of Galp Energia in the aquisition of Royal Dutch Shell fuel businesses in Mozambique, Swaziland and Gambia, for a total amount of USD 55m
■ Acquistion of Atlas Energy Gambia Ltd.
■ Representation of the Royal Bank of Scotland and the Africa Finance Corporation and Africa Development Bank

Contact: Amie Bensouda
Tel: +220 9961196
Email: [email protected]

Banking & Finance:
The firm acts for commercial banks and other financial institutions both international and local. Its activities in this area cover all aspects of domestic financial transactions and advice to international institutions on local lending and debt transactions, project financing and debt recoveries.

■ Representation of First International Bank of Nigeria in the 70% acquisition of the shares in Arab Gambia Islamic Bank
■ Represented International Bank for Commerce in the corporate buyout by Bank PHB Nigeria
■ Representation of First Bank of Nigeria in acquisition of International Commercial Bank Gambia Ltd
■ Acquisition of First International Bank

Contact: Amie Bensouda
Tel: +220 9961196
Email: [email protected]

Telecommunications:
The firm acts for the national telecommunications service providers, Gambia Telecommunication Company Limited (GAMTEL) and Gambia Telecommunications Cellular Company Limited (GAMCEL) and international companies. The firm’s expertise cover all aspects of technology agreements, information technology and broadcasting law and regulation, market entry, collaborative contracts, procurement contracts, interconnection agreements, investment and management and licensing. The firm has advised and assisted regional and international IT and telecommunications companies on investment and acquisition of local companies.

Contact: Aziz Bensouda
Tel: +220 9972297
Email: [email protected]

Intellectual Property:
The firm’s intellectual property practice is broad and the firm acts as a trademark and patent attorney for principals all over the world including international partner law firms that routinely instruct Amie Bensouda & Co on behalf of their clients on IP matters. The firm assists in the registration of trademarks, patents, industrial designs and other intellectual property rights, the firm routinely conduct searches and provides assistance for renewals, change of name and address, amendments and recordal of licences. Amie Bensouda & Co have also successfully prosecuted and defended passing off and infringement actions. The firm has offices in Sierra Leone and Liberia handling exclusively intellectual property matters.

Contact: Aziz Bensouda
Tel: +220 9972297
Email: [email protected]

Litigation & Dispute Resolution:
The firm has extensive experience in all forms of civil litigation and assists firms and companies resolve or avoid potential conflict by employing all forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediation, negotiation and arbitration. It has successfully handled and settled major commercial cases.

Contact: Anna Njie
Tel: +220 3017574
Email: [email protected]

Real Estate:
The firm’s services in this area include the acquisition and disposal of property, financial arrangements for property development, real estate development and management, including residential estates and hotels.

Government/Public Sector Related Matters:
The firm provides advice to international firms on the Gambian regulatory environment including tax issues, assists in bidding processes and facilitating project implementation. It also undertakes consultancy work for government or donor agencies on governance or human rights-related issues. The firm is also a consultant to World Bank, UNDP, EC, Africa Development Bank and the government of Gambia

Oil & Gas, Power & Infrastructure Projects:
The firm has assisted in substantial infrastructure and oil and gas projects including the Banjul Port expansion project and the Gambia Bridge. The firm has advised investors in the oil and gas sector including assistance in negotiations, license drafting, corporate and commercial arrangements, tax matters as well as farm-in arrangements. The firm’s clients include drill rig companies, IPPs, EPC contractors, financers and insurers. The firm has advised the Government of The Gambia as local-counsel in connection to the development of its policies and template agreements for oil and gas projects. The firm also advised and assisted in the formation of renewable energy IPPs.

Other:
The firm handles immigration matters for international companies and is increasingly involved in all aspects of employment and labour relations and advises companies and firms on areas such as labour reorganisation, union matters and prevention and the development of company labour policies and employment agreements.

Contact: Anna Njie
Tel: +220 3017574
Email: [email protected]

Clients:
The firm has represented several international clients including corporate and international organisations on matters relating to banking and lending, real estate, acquisitions, commercial litigation, intellectual property registration and they include amongst others, The World Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered Bank, Deutsche Bank, CitiBank, Huawei, Company for Habitat and Housing in Africa (Shelter Afrique), PT Telecoms and South African Airways. Africa Finance Corporation, Africa Development Bank and FAR Australia Ltd.