TMT | Global

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a highly distinguished international law firm with an excellent track record in a number of anglophone African jurisdictions. The firm has deep experience in high-value telecoms transactions, assisting various African and international clients with investments, acquisitions and disposals across the breadth of the continent. Additionally, the firm provides representation in a variety of regulatory and contentious matters, including international arbitrations.

The Paris office of Jones Day is a particular standout for its comprehensive understanding of issues in the telecoms sector. The firm is very active in francophone Africa, with further experience in lusophone and anglophone countries. It is highly regarded for the depth of its knowledge in TMT-related dispute resolution, and has noteworthy expertise in the implementation and modernisation of technology and telecoms infrastructure. Jones Day has an extensive practice and a distinguished reputation for its representation of government entities and public sector players. It is well regarded as an experienced adviser on transactional mandates and on the development of regulatory frameworks.

This practice is a well-established player in the African TMT space, with an impressive breadth of expertise in an array of technology and telecommunications concerns. The firm is well respected for its work assisting with acquisitions and disposals, as well as the negotiation of services agreements. The firm maintains an on-the-ground presence in both Morocco and South Africa, with further reach across the continent. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Bowmans is a high-profile South African law firm which is well respected for its prowess in transactions relating to the telecoms sector. It has an excellent track record of advising clients on the implementation and modernisation of telecoms infrastructure. It is also well versed in technology licensing and the due diligence associated with acquisitions. In addition to its presence in South Africa, the firm maintains branches in Kenya, Tanzania and Mauritius, with associate offices in Nigeria and Ethiopia. The practice possesses noteworthy expertise advising on the regulatory aspects of contentious and non-contentious mandates.

Linklaters has a highly regarded African TMT operation, with an excellent team of practitioners who are well placed to advise on an array of telecoms and technology matters in anglophone, francophone and lusophone Africa. The firm is well placed to assist its eminent client base with regulatory compliance issues, as well as licensing and services agreements. It has notable activity providing advice to clients on privacy and data protection as well as cybersecurity concerns. The firm's capacity across Africa is further enhanced through its alliance with Webber Wentzel in South Africa.

VdA is a well-respected Portuguese law firm with considerable experience and activity operating in lusophone Africa, in addition to francophone Africa. The team is well positioned to assist with regulatory concerns, as well as the development of legislation in this space. It has further expertise in the financing and construction of communications infrastructure. In addition to representing private companies in the telecoms and technology sectors, the firm possesses extensive experience acting for public sector bodies and associations.

DLA Piper is a key adviser on the development of telecoms infrastructure in Africa, as well as providing guidance on data protection and licensing. The firm's recent work has seen an increase in transactional mandates ranging from procurement to M&A deals. The firm is present in a number of African jurisdictions, including francophone and anglophone African countries, through member firms of the DLA Piper Africa network. It also has fully integrated offices of its own in Morocco and South Africa.

With offices in six African countries, ENS has a significant presence on the continent. The firm is well placed to provide comprehensive telecoms regulatory support and M&A advisory within the sector. The firm is regularly active on data privacy compliance, and its practice also touches upon ICT outsourcing and IP matters. ENS' client roster includes major multinational companies as well as leading regional players.

Gide Loyrette Nouel is widely respected for its expertise across francophone Africa, with an impressive depth of experience in a variety of jurisdictions, as well as an on-the-ground presence in Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. The firm is well regarded for its work across an array of transactional and regulatory matters in the TMT space, including cybersecurity, fintech and data protection matters. It has an excellent track record of acting for public authorities and government entities, in addition to corporate clients. Since 2021, Gide Loyrette Nouel has maintained an alliance with South Africa-headquartered law firm Bowmans.

Webber Wentzel is a well-regarded South African law firm which frequently works on African TMT matters, both independently and in collaboration with its international alliance partner, Linklaters. It provides counsel on a range of communications mandates across the continent and particularly those arising in sub-Saharan Africa and anglophone jurisdictions. The team is active providing counsel on acquisitions and commercial agreements in the sector, with further expertise in advising on regulations and competition commission investigations.

Leading South African law firm Werksmans is noted for its formidable capacity to act on African TMT mandates, including competition and regulatory matters arising in the telecoms sector. The team frequently acts on telecoms infrastructure transactions and assists with licensing processes for operators in Africa. Its further expertise lies in cybersecurity and data protection mandates.