Corporate/M&A & Private Equity
Global Guide 2024 : Africa-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7006 1000Chambers Review
Clifford Chance is recognised for its high-end Africa department which represents blue-chip international and African clients in big-ticket mandates. The firm is an especially active player in the PE field, where it advises on a broad array of fund formations and buyouts, while the corporate team is also well versed in acquisitions, joint ventures and group restructuring. Clifford Chance is particularly prolific in its work for energy-focused funds, as well as assisting with investment in sectors such as agriculture, real estate and telecoms. The group also has notable activity in M&A matters relating to infrastructure projects. Lawyers with deep experience in African transactions are located across multiple offices in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, with the practice primarily run from London, Paris and Casablanca.
Work Highlights
- A Clifford Chance team in London advised Gridworks Development Partners on a USD50 million investment in Virunga Power, underpinning the development of various hydropower projects in Burundi, Malawi, Zambia and Kenya.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are our go-to international counsel for the region. They are excellent and we've had a close relationship for years. They're very good at helping us make commercial decisions."
"Clifford Chance are the firm we go to for large-scale and complex matters. Their experience and level of resources for Africa work is second to none."
"It's a great team with a deep bench."
"They are our go-to international counsel for the region. They are excellent and we've had a close relationship for years. They're very good at helping us make commercial decisions."
"Clifford Chance are the firm we go to for large-scale and complex matters. Their experience and level of resources for Africa work is second to none."
"It's a great team with a deep bench."
Notable Practitioners
London-based Jennifer Chimanga has a strong focus on the technology and telecoms sectors, handling a broad range of commercial and regulatory matters. She co-heads the Africa practice at Clifford Chance and is especially noted for her work concerning Kenya and East Africa.
"Jennifer is a thorough and pragmatic lawyer."
"She is absolutely fantastic."
Mustapha Mourahib is managing partner of the firm's growing Casablanca office and also co-heads the Africa practice. He is increasingly involved in cross-border matters across the continent.
Nigel Wellings operates a highly regarded emerging markets practice from the firm's London office. A trusted adviser to prolific PE and development fund investors, he has been engaged for assistance with transactions impacting a number of major markets in Africa.
"Nigel is our go-to adviser on larger transactions in Africa. His team have the scale and experience to provide confidence and reassurance to clients."
"He is always responsive and his input invaluable. He builds a good team of associates around him but he himself is never far from the action."