Projects & Energy
Global Guide 2024 : Africa-wide
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 3130 3000About
Provided by Mayer Brown LLP
Mayer Brown has a dedicated Africa practice group working on deals and cases in more than 35 countries throughout the continent. We offer practical experience, technical skills and commercial knowledge of the various African markets, culture and languages to our clients and understand the challenges and rewards that exist when doing business in Africa. These services are provided by lawyers who are qualified in a broad cross-section of jurisdictions and who, in many cases, have the ability to work in several languages including English, French and Portuguese.
Chambers Review
Mayer Brown maintains a distinguished mining practice across Africa. The team is also recognised for its representation of banks and financial institutions in various financing and development mandates relating to renewable, hydropower and LNG projects. Additionally, the firm's expertise extends to energy-related disputes. The group is adept at handling corporate matters on behalf of petrochemical companies, as well as advising a long list of sponsors and governments on project development. The team draws on its global network to support clients across anglophone, francophone and lusophone Africa.
Work Highlights
- Mayer Brown acted for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on the design, development and financing of four major green hydrogen projects, with a combined output capacity of 80 GW.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are fully committed to helping us succeed. They are always available to discuss any issue."
"Mayer Brown have an experienced team and are able to handle complex transactions with ease. The team are technically strong, have great depth and are able to handle multiple work streams simultaneously."
"They are very strong on mining finance."
"They are fully committed to helping us succeed. They are always available to discuss any issue."
"Mayer Brown have an experienced team and are able to handle complex transactions with ease. The team are technically strong, have great depth and are able to handle multiple work streams simultaneously."
"They are very strong on mining finance."
Notable Practitioners
Ian Coles is a key figure within Mayer Brown, leading the firm's Africa group in addition to its mining practice. He is a go-to adviser for mining finance, with recent experience concerning uranium and lithium projects. Coles also has notable experience advising African governments in the context of natural resources legislation. He is based in London.
"He's a mining specialist and really good to work with."
Paris-based Olivier Mélédo has considerable experience acting for sovereign governments across francophone Africa on the development of major energy and infrastructure projects. He is also well versed in acting for EPC contractors and project companies.
"He is excellent. He is available and very responsive. He understands the issues and has a very acute commercial sense. He really knows the mining industry."
"Olivier is very sharp and business-oriented."
"He is very active on state advisory mandates."