Banking & Finance
Global Guide 2024 : Kenya
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+254 20 289 9000About
Provided by Bowmans
We are recognised as a leading adviser on banking and finance law in Sub-Saharan Africa and a market-leader in innovation, documentation standards and best practice.
We specialise in complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions and have extensive knowledge of leveraged and acquisition finance, structured finance, capital markets, project and real estate finance, derivatives, securitisation, preference share finance, subordinated debt and insolvency and restructuring.
Our expertise extends to bilateral and syndicated loans, guarantee and security issues and regulatory matters including the establishment of banks and the carrying on of lending and investment banking activities within Sub-Saharan Africa.
We have acted for a range of local and foreign banks and insurance companies and our lawyers have been involved in some of the most important banking, insurance and finance transactions in recent years in Kenya. In recent times, we have also acted for insolvency and business rescue practitioners.
Our specialist services include; debt and equity securities; regulatory compliance; acquisition finance; project finance; real estate finance and real estate generally; structured finance; syndicated lending transactions; trade finance; asset finance; and secured and unsecured lending.
Chambers Review
Bowmans has a stellar banking and finance practice in Kenya, with a strong track record of working on complex and high-value deals. The team is well equipped to advise on the full gamut of transactional and regulatory mandates, including trade and project finance, debt restructuring and syndicated lending. The firm has an excellent reputation in cross-border transactions both in Africa and beyond, supported by the Bowmans network of offices. The Nairobi team also has notable experience of debt capital markets work.
Work Highlights
- Bowmans acted for NCBA Bank in relation to facilities granted to Kenya Tea Development Agency, valued at USD150 million.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I would readily say this team is a one-stop shop for all banking and finance matters."
"I consider Bowmans' banking and finance team to be business partners as opposed to service providers. They go above and beyond."
"Bowmans' client service is exceptional across the board. Its expertise, responsiveness and proactive approach to addressing our concerns demonstrates its genuine dedication to our success."
"We normally engage Bowmans in our significantly complex and high-value transactions. Its pragmatic approach to problem solving ensures that we receive exceptional advice and support in every aspect of our legal needs."
"The team listens to us, gets to know our needs, our goals and our preferred way of communication. This helps us to achieve our goals efficiently."
"I would readily say this team is a one-stop shop for all banking and finance matters."
"I consider Bowmans' banking and finance team to be business partners as opposed to service providers. They go above and beyond."
"Bowmans' client service is exceptional across the board. Its expertise, responsiveness and proactive approach to addressing our concerns demonstrates its genuine dedication to our success."
"We normally engage Bowmans in our significantly complex and high-value transactions. Its pragmatic approach to problem solving ensures that we receive exceptional advice and support in every aspect of our legal needs."
"The team listens to us, gets to know our needs, our goals and our preferred way of communication. This helps us to achieve our goals efficiently."
Notable Practitioners
Paras Shah continues to impress market observers with his deep understanding of the banking sector, acting as a key contact and partner to a large number of established investment banks and financial institutions. He is rated highly in Kenya for his breadth of practice, covering project, property and development finance, as well as corporate transactions and M&A.
"Paras Shah is a very good lawyer and has got a good reputation."
"He is very commercially minded."
Cornelius Kigera demonstrates consistent involvement in the firm's key mandates, including the advancement of financing facilities. His broad client following includes a range of retail and development banks, as well as asset managers and investment companies.
"He is effective and offers quick turnaround times."
"He is a seasoned and respected name in the banking and finance sector."
"He is proactive and has great client service with a very practical, commercial approach."
"Cornelius Kigera is my go-to guy and he ensures we find a solution."
"Cornelius Kigera goes out of his way to give credible and practical legal advice."
Moving up in the rankings is Dominic Indokhomi who runs a broad banking practice, advising on project, real estate and corporate finance, as well as facility restructuring matters. He also impresses for his work in the financing of startup enterprises, particularly in the fintech sector.
"He is a very good and professional lawyer who can be trusted with the advice he provides."
"Dominic Indokhomi is reliable, commercially astute and breaks down complex legal matters with ease. His legal opinions have a practical business application which is what enterprises need."
"He grasps the law very well and is really pleasant to work with."
Richard Harney is a pre-eminent figure in the Kenyan legal market. Alongside his distinguished M&A practice, he has a wealth of experience in capital markets, providing both transactional and regulatory advice.
"He is probably what you would call a pioneer in this area."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bowmans
Kenya
Members
Provided by Bowmans
Clients
Provided by Bowmans
Prime Bank Limited
Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited
Stanbic IBTC Trustees Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limted
Industries
Provided by Bowmans
Insurance companies
local and foreign banks