In the hotly contested 2019 African Legal Awards, Bowmans has taken home two of the most sought-after awards, cementing its reputation as an African law firm handling some of the most challenging legal work on the continent.

The firm won the coveted awards for TMT Team of the Year and Transportation and Infrastructure Team of the Year. Chairman and senior partner, Robert Legh, says: ‘Our strong showing at the African Legal Awards serves as an external endorsement of our ability to help clients overcoming legal complexity and unlock opportunities in Africa.’

The firm won the TMT (technology, media & telecommunications) Team of the Year Award for advising CDC Group plc (the UK’s development finance institution) on a proposed USD 180 million equity investment into Liquid Telecoms Holdings Ltd, the largest independent fibre and cloud provider in Africa.

The deal was arguably one of a kind in the TMT sector in Africa. It not only brought together leading multi-national companies, it also involved harmonizing aspects of the law in several jurisdictions. The fact that this matter was successfully concluded and the acquisition completed is evidence of the value that Bowmans brought to the table over and above the transactional advice lawyers are generally called on to provide.

Bowmans won the Transportation and Infrastructure Team of the Year Award for helping MSC Cruises respond to the public tender for the proposed Durban Cruise Terminal and then advising the Concessionaire, KCT, on the Terminal Operator Agreement. The firm continues to advise on the matter and has been acknowledged for its commitment, professionalism and innovation.

Not content to rest on its laurels, Bowmans continues to invest in its ability to support its clients across the African continent. The firm is expanding into both Mauritius and Ethiopia from 1 October 2019.