Project Finance

We are recognised for our expertise in project finance in energy, resources, utilities and infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A key driver of our success is our ability to assemble and integrate teams with skills in structured debt finance, equity finance, construction, operations, real estate, through-put supply arrangements, tax and regulated markets.

Our project finance lawyers have in-depth experience in structured financings on a limited recourse basis or with limited recourse features, whether involving bilateral or multi-lateral lending arrangements and or multi-source financings including export credit guarantees and financings.

Whether working independently as lead counsel for the lenders or for the project sponsors, or as local or co-counsel in co-operation with international counsel in its role as lead lender or project counsel, we are able to provide end-to-end legal expertise to meet clients’ requirements.

We have had a leading role in many of the most significant and high profile projects in Sub-Saharan Africa notwithstanding the persistent lag in the roll out of infrastructure development across the region.  Our on-the-ground presence together with our project finance expertise and integrated service approach works well particularly for clients who share our vision for Africa’s sustained prosperity.

Our clients include banks and other financial institutions, developers, sponsors, contractors, state-owned utilities and enterprises and government agencies.

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African Legal Awards, 2021

Transportation and Infrastructure Team of the Year

Chambers and Partners, 2022

‘well equipped to advise on the full gamut of transactional and regulatory mandates, including trade and project finance’

‘One source attested: ‘We were very impressed with the project finance and transactional advice offered by the team’

Legal 500, 2021

Client feedback includes:

‘A very strong and solid team that has end-to-end skill-sets on the array of documentation required to develop, finance, construct and operate projects’

‘The exposure given to associates is excellent and the quality of work is fantastic’ 

‘Good knowledge of the public side of energy projects (PPA etc) and the international financing side of the same’

‘Very up to date on developments such as on Government Letters of Support’

‘In touch with the market’

• We advised the Development Bank of Southern Africa, the South African Department of Energy and the South African National Treasury (through the IPP Office) on the various independent power producer (IPP) procurement programmes that are pursued by the South African government including IPP bid processes for renewable energy which has won several awards, base load coal, LNG gas to power, and a number of related programmes in South Africa.

• We advised First Quantum Minerals on its cross-border procurement of bulk electrical power (150MW) involving Zesco and Eskom, and the complex wheeling arrangements among Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe to supply approximately 150MW of power to its mines in Zambia.

• We advised African Rainbow Minerals on the disposal of its interest in Lubambe Copper Mine, a Zambian mining company. The interest was held through a 50% interest in a company registered in Barbados.