Ezekiel Tuma

Practice Areas

Aviation

Banking & Finance

Corporate

Capital Markets & Securities

Mergers & Acquisitions

Private Equity

Restructuring & Insolvency

Venture Capital

Career

Ezekiel, the Managing Partner of ASAR and a corporate and finance law Partner, who has been an integral part of our firm's success since 2008. He brings his expertise to clients worldwide from our Kuwait office. With extensive experience in both public and private mergers and acquisitions, Ezekiel also demonstrates expertise in competition law, ensuring comprehensive legal support across various domains.

His leadership shines through in numerous cross-border and local transactions, where he brings strategic insight and legal acumen to the table. Ezekiel is a trusted advisor on private equity and venture capital deals, sought after by both founders and investors alike for his astute guidance in the sphere of start-up businesses.

In the arena of financing, Ezekiel is a seasoned professional, adeptly representing both borrowers and lenders in a spectrum of transactions. From local bilateral deals to intricate cross-border syndicated facilities and project financing, his expertise ensures seamless execution. His proficiency in acquisition financing seamlessly complements his corporate endeavors.

Ezekiel's prowess extends to handling restructurings and insolvency matters, playing a pivotal role in major Kuwait restructurings since joining the firm. He navigates complexities with finesse, offering invaluable counsel to lenders and borrowers alike in both local and cross-border contexts.

Moreover, Ezekiel is a trusted advisor to aircraft manufacturers, leasing companies, and operators, facilitating transactions encompassing the sale, purchase, leasing, and financing of aircraft and engines.

Consistently recognized as a leader in his fields by prestigious legal publications such as Chambers and Partners and the IFLR 1000, Ezekiel's dedication and expertise underscore his commitment to delivering exceptional legal services to clients worldwide.

Professional Memberships

Admitted to the Ugandan Bar, 1999

Member, Uganda Law Society, 1999

Member, East Africa Law Society, 1999

Member, International Bar Association, 2002

Experience

USD 3.4-Billion Acquisition of Kuwait Food Company (Americana)

Ezekiel led ASAR’s team in acting as Kuwaiti counsel to the purchaser of a 93.4% stake in Kuwait Food Company (Americana), a then Kuwaiti-listed entity. This was a complex public acquisition transaction with a record-breaking deal value of approximately USD 3.4 billion. The transaction set several precedents and landmarks, in addition to winning the prestigious IFLR M&A Deal of the Year Award in 2017.

Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) Exit

Ezekiel led ASAR’s team, which acted as Kuwaiti law counsel to the founding shareholders of Carriage Logistics General Trading Company WLL (Carriage) in relation to the sale of their shares to Delivery Hero Group. This was an innovative and complex transaction that set a trend for startup exits in Kuwait. Unsurprisingly, the deal was shortlisted by the highly regarded IFLR 1000 for M&A Deal of the Year 2017. The transaction represents one of the highest-value startup exits in Kuwait and the GCC region.

Restructuring and Re-Restructuring of Global Investment House USD 1.7-Billion Debts

Ezekiel advised Global Investment House (as debtor) in its initial restructuring in 2009 and its re-restructuring in 2013. Global’s restructurings involved a total debt amount of USD 1.7 billion. The initial restructuring involved no fewer than 52 creditors and was particularly complex, featuring multiple classes of debt that needed to be rolled up into a single debt restructuring program supported by one class of security granted to all lenders. The deal was awarded the prestigious IFLR 1000 Restructuring Deal of the Year Award in 2010. In 2013, Ezekiel advised Global on a re-restructuring to render itself a debt-free company through complex debt-for-equity and debt-for-assets swaps. This transaction was a trailblazer in many respects, including its use of an English scheme of arrangement to ensure a few non-consenting creditors became bound by the restructuring.

Advising on Aviation Finance and Lease Transactions

Notable transactions include advising AWAS Aviation Limited on the lease of 12 Airbus aircraft to a Kuwaiti operator, advising Aercap Holdings on its lease of aircraft to a local aircraft leasing company, advising Gulf International Bank PJSC on the sale of five Airbus aircraft, and advising DVB Bank SE, London Branch on the lease of aircraft to ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP.

Education