The international members of our Africa group comprise experts in their fields and have specific expertise in working in the Eastern African region. Kamal Shah, the head of our Africa practice, is from Kenya. Our partners have years of experience advising clients based in and investing into Eastern Africa and we have strong working relationships with leading lawyers within the region. Therefore our advice is set against a background of in-depth local knowledge.
We regularly advise state and private corporations, energy companies, banks and high-net-worth individuals.
Our Africa group of covers a range of experience and specialties such as: arbitration, asset finance, aviation, corporate, funds, IPOs, M&A and private equity, fraud and asset recovery, energy and natural resources, litigation, railway, maritime, projects and project finance, regulation, trade and export finance, and construction and engineering.
the firm provides "very knowledgeable assistance"
Chambers Global 2017
Ambience Ventures and Qalaa Holdings, Kenya and Uganda
Advised on the initial acquisition of a majority stake in the national rail operator of Kenya and Uganda, Rift Valley Railways. We subsequently advised on the buy-out of Transcentury, bringing Ambience's overall holding to 85%. Also advised on potential disputes and several LCIA arbitrations.
Wealthy Kenyan family dispute
Advising in relation to a large family dispute relating to one of the wealthiest families in Kenya. There are complex issues relating to jurisdiction, trust law matters and proprietary estoppel.
Kenya Airways
Advised on various EU Regulations including Denied Boarding Regulations and Passengers with Reduced Mobility Regulations.
Ethiopian Privatisation Agency
Advised on the privatisation of Ethiopia Telecom.
Soma Oil & Gas, Somalia
Advised on its agreement with the Government of Somalia to assist in the development of the country’s hydrocarbons sector and its subsequent US$50 million equity investment.
Large African-based mining and metals company, Zambia
Defending a US$400 million claim in arbitration proceedings and concurrent English High Court proceedings which resulted in clarifying the High Court’s view on seeking interim relief in support of arbitration.
Construction of emergency power generation facilities, Tanzania
Advising Dowans Holdings SA and Dowans Tanzania on a US$100 million arbitration related dispute with the Tanzanian State Electricity Company relating to the construction of power generation facilities.
Tanzania Harbour Authority
Advised on a protracted dispute involving Skanska and a Norwegian company over the refurbishment of the Port of Dar es Salaam.
AES, Tanzania
Advised on the development and financing of the Bujagali hydropower project in Uganda and the Songas power financing in Tanzania.
Safaricom, Kenya
Acted as international counsel in its IPO, the largest in sub-Saharan Africa.
Government of the Republic of Uganda
Advised on issues relating to the constitution and engagement with the British government and media.
Multi-million dollar Refund Guarantee dispute
Advised a subsidiary of the Chinese-Tanzanian Joint Shipping Company on a dispute for the recovery of instalments and contractual interest underlying a shipbuilding contract.