Africa
Africa is a diverse and dynamic continent. It encompasses major commercial hubs, rapidly growing economies and a wide range of investment, financing and strategic opportunities. Businesses operating in Africa navigate a broad range of legal, regulatory and commercial environments, which creates both opportunity and complexity.
We advise on some of the most complex and high-value matters in Africa, bringing together deep transactional expertise with a sophisticated understanding of local markets and the commercial context in which our clients operate. Our work spans numerous jurisdictions, sectors and transaction types, supported by longstanding relationships with leading independent law firms in Africa.
We act for international corporates, financial sponsors, banks and other investors on their activities across the continent, as well as supporting African businesses in pursuing their domestic, regional and international strategic objectives. Our experience includes corporate transactions, financing, infrastructure and energy projects, disputes and regulatory matters, together with many decades of advising governments and state-owned entities.
Key experience
Advising Diageo on the sale of its 80.4% shareholding in Guinness Ghana Breweries plc, a company listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange, to Castel.
The transaction includes new long-term licence and royalty arrangements under which Diageo brands will continue to be produced and distributed in Ghana.
Advising AngloGold Ashanti on its recommended acquisition of Centamin plc, valuing Centamin at approximately £1.9 billion.
The transaction is being implemented by way of a court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Jersey law.
Contacts
Advising Diageo on the sale of its 58.02% shareholding in Guinness Nigeria plc, a company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, to Tolaram.
The transaction includes new long-term licence and royalty arrangements establishing a strategic partnership for the production and distribution of Diageo brands in Nigeria.
Contacts
Corporate: Simon Nicholls
Intellectual Property: Laura Houston
Competition: Lorna Nsoatabe
Advising Mediclinic on the disposals of its South African and Swiss business units to its shareholders, Remgro and MSC, for aggregate consideration of US$950 million per business unit.
Following completion, Remgro and MSC will separately own Mediclinic SA and Hirslanden, with the remaining group retaining its Middle Eastern operations and interest in Spire Healthcare.
Advising Allianz on the completion of its joint venture with Sanlam to combine their current and future operations across Africa.
The joint venture operates under the “Sanlam Allianz” brand with a presence in 27 countries, combining the parties’ life and general insurance businesses.
Contacts
Advising Hyphen Hydrogen Energy on a US$10 billion feasibility and implementation agreement with the Government of Namibia for the development of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest green hydrogen project.
The bespoke agreement governs the development, implementation and operation of a fully vertically integrated project, from upstream power generation to downstream green ammonia production and offtake.
Contacts
We advised Kosmos Energy on its US$1.6 billion reserves-based facility, which represents Africa’s largest reserves-based financing. The facility supports further development of the Jubilee Field located offshore Ghana, the Greater Tortue development offshore Mauritania and Senegal, and assets located offshore Equatorial Guinea. In relation to many of these projects, we also advised Kosmos Energy on aspects of project acquisition, development and disposal.
Contact
Advised Government of Botswana on a broad range of work over a period of more than 35 years, including in the copper, nickel, soda ash and coal industries; and, among numerous other practice areas, on commercial and supranational financing arrangements.
Contacts
We advised BAT plc in respect of a group claim threatened by Malawian tobacco farmers, concerning allegations of child and forced labour on third party farms.
