Africa

Our banking and asset finance specialists advise on a range of legal and regulatory issues, including funding matters, drafting commercial frameworks for multi-jurisdictional projects, and preparing financial documents.

• Advised an African government on shipping aspects of the legal, commercial and contractual framework for LNG projects.
• Advised the European Investment Bank on €90 million financing for electricity transmission lines in Southern Africa.
• Advised the financiers of a steel mill in Africa in relation to the injection of additional funding, along with repayment of certain shareholder loans and the amendment and restatement of certain documents.
• Advised the International Finance Corporation (IFC) as lender in relation to loan facilities for Access Bank Nigeria and Bank of Ghana.
• Advised Stanbic Bank Kenya (a member of the Standard Bank Group) as lender on a USD 26.5 million development financing of a warehouse logistics facility in Nairobi, Kenya, for Africa Logistics Properties.
• Advised alternative credit provider Lendable Asset Management in relation to a senior secured facility for Solar Panda Kenya.
• Advised Actis as sponsor and borrower in relation to the senior secured loan financing of Garden City Business Park in Kenya by Rand Merchant Bank as lender.
• Advised Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP) as lender in relation to a senior secured loan facility with detachable equity warrants for Kleen Hydro Limited, Kenya.
• Advised Investec as lender in relation to a loan facility for Puma Energy.
• Advised the facility agent and the banks in relation to facility agreements for well-known banks in Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.
• Advised the facility agent and the banks in relation to numerous syndicated and bilateral facility agreements for a well-known supranational pan-African lender based in Egypt, both as borrower and lender.
• Advised the facility agent and the banks in relation to the international and domestic currency financing of mobile telephone networks in South Africa.
• Leading educational presentations in sub-Saharan Africa for market participants and stakeholders, including for the Loan Market Association (LMA), on various topics related to London market loan documentation, including the replacement of LIBOR, consensual debt restructuring, English law guarantees and recent developments in English banking case law.

As specialists in drafting and negotiating commercial contracts, our lawyers are entrusted to advise on, negotiate, and draft commercial agreements across a range of sectors, including media, sports, and technology and telecoms.

• Advised the Mansour Group in relation to its exclusive distribution arrangements with BAT, Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and JTI in Egypt and Nigeria.
• Advised the Mansour Group in relation to its exclusive distribution arrangements with BAT, Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and JTI in Egypt and Nigeria.
• Drafted anti-bribery and corruption policies for various junior mining, and oil and gas, exploration and production companies.
• Acted for a leading events management company in relation to the Guinness Pan African Football Programme and staging of a Guinness-sponsored International Friendly Football Match in Africa, including drafting, negotiating and finalising agreements with FIFA registered match agents, national football associations, high-profile celebrity ambassadors and free-to-air and satellite broadcasters.
• Negotiated with celebrity football talent and their representatives to assist with the delivery of various brand engagements across a portfolio of key developing markets across Africa and Asia.
• Provided legal support in relation to TBA’s involvement in the design, production and broadcast of the Guinness 250 live concert in Lagos, Nigeria.

We understand that construction projects can present a range of legal issues and challenges. Our team of experts can advise on the lifecycle of the project, from the initial idea right through to completion.

• Acted for the building contractor consortium in relation to the design and construction of the first waste-to-energy plant in Africa concerning claims in the region of US$120m.
• Acted for a South African contractor in two LCIA arbitrations in relation to the construction and maintenance of a significant railway in Sierra Leone. The issues included: measurement, variations, and delay and disruption.
• Advised ExxonMobil in relation to all ongoing aspects of the Chad–Cameroon pipeline project and the related Three Fields oilfield development in Chad, project-financed by various commercial banks as well as the World Bank/IFC, EIB, COFACE and US Ex-Im Bank.
• Advised Hummingbird Resources Plc on a variety of corporate, financial and construction related matters on the building and commissioning of a gold mine in Mali, including surface mining, fuel supply and engineering procurement construction management contracts.
• Advised Sunfunder, a solar financing company, in relation to various solar transactions in Africa.

Whether you require advice on the establishment, sale, merger, acquisition, or complex restructuring, our corporate lawyers can support you on your legal needs. Our team has been instructed on clients ranging from local start-up businesses to international groups and global financial institutions to advise on corporate matters.

• Acted for Cluff Geothermal Ltd and Hotspur Drilling Limited in relation to its geothermal and drilling activities in Africa.
• Acted for Shumba Coal, a company focused on developing highly prospective coal licences in Botswana in relation to an equity fundraising.
• Advised AIM-quoted Victoria Oil & Gas Plc, an integrated natural gas-producing utility in Cameroon, on a placing and subscription of $23.5m which was completed by way of an accelerated bookbuild.
• Advised Anadarko (joint venturing with Tullow Oil) in relation to the financing of a $850m FPSO for the Jubilee field in deep-water offshore Ghana.
• Advised A-Tec Petro in relation to its farm into a deep-water oil block offshore Equatorial Guinea including full due diligence in relation to the asset.
• Advised Panthera Resources PLC, a gold exploration and development company with key assets in India and West Africa, on its admission to AIM.
• Advised several multinational corporations in the oil and gas sector on the territorial scope and effect of European Union economic sanctions concerning Iran, Libya and Syria.
• Advised Stonehage on its merger (by way of scheme of arrangement) with Fleming Family & Partners to form Stonehage Fleming Family and Partners, the largest independent multi-family office in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
• Advised Tana Africa Capital and Plexus Investments on the $530 million sale of interests in the Promasidor group – a pan-African foods business – to Ajinomoto of Japan.
• Advised Tana Africa Capital and Tana Africa Capital II (Africa-focused investment companies founded by the Oppenheimer family and Temasek) in relation to their establishment and incentives schemes and on a number of investments in the FMCG and education sectors in various African countries.
• Advised the financiers of a steel mill in Africa in relation to the injection of additional funding, along with repayment of certain shareholder loans and the amendment and restatement of certain documents.
• Advised the Naspers Group in relation to the roll-out of its pay-TV encryption technology and a series of related supply agreements for set-top boxes in Europe and Africa.
• Advised Promasidor Holdings, a pan-African food conglomerate, in relation to its US$30m Revolving Credit Facility provided by Standard Bank South Africa, guaranteed by subsidiaries in Nigeria and Ghana.
• Restructuring of American hardware group – project coordinator for 14 African jurisdictions.
• Advised on the USD 1.745 bn demerger by the American Standard Companies Inc. of its global Bath and Kitchen business – coordination of 12 European and African jurisdictions.
• Acted on behalf of an AIM quoted company in relation to a proposed reverse takeover of a Nigerian oil and gas company.
• Acted for an AIM quoted company in relation to its acquisition of an interest in a Nigerian offshore oil and gas lease and related advice in relation to the Nigerian joint operating agreement and corporate matters.
• Acted for a nominated adviser in relation to the admission to AIM of a platinum group metals company with interests in South Africa, Sierra Leone, Madagascar and Ethiopia.
• Acted for a geothermal and drilling company with operations in Kenya and Ethiopia.
• Acted for a nomad in relation to the listing of an African diamond mining company on its listing on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and subsequently acted for the company on various corporate matters.

Our team of dispute resolution experts advise on complex cross-border disputes across Africa and emerging markets, including aviation, mining, energy, infrastructure, and telecoms. We act in international arbitration and High Court litigation, enforcement, sanctions, fraud and political risk matters for states, multinationals, investors, banks, and insurers.

• Acted for a Ghanaian bank to register and enforce Ghanaian judgments in England against UK assets of the bank.
• Acted for a Nigerian state in its claims against a former governor for misappropriated funds: also involved claims against the Federal government.
• Acted for a West Africa-based private equity firm in a commercial court claim seeking damages of over $3m in relation to breaches of the terms of a share purchase agreement in a company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
• Acted for an African State Reinsurance Company in respect of a dispute with a Russian insurer and reinsurance broker in respect of coverage and material non-disclosure issues, respectively, in 2017.
• Acted for Libyan Arab Airlines, King Khalid International Airport, in 2008, in respect of direct and indirect losses claim relating to an aircraft being struck by catering truck.
• Acted for the building contractor consortium in relation to the design and construction of the first waste-to-energy plant in Africa concerning claims in the region of $120m. The issues included design, performance, and non- and late-payment of IPCs.
• Defended a Nigerian energy company in the Commercial Court in England over alleged breaches of a multimillion-pound bond guarantee.
• Litigated for breach of warranty and misrepresentation arising from the sale of a fast-moving consumer goods business in Angola for c.$30m.
• Defended a Nigerian energy company in the Commercial Court in England over alleged breaches of a multimillion-pound bond guarantee.
• Acted for a West Africa-based private equity firm in a commercial court claim seeking damages of over $3m in relation to breaches of the terms of a share purchase agreement in a company listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.
• Acted for a Ghanaian bank to register and enforce Ghanaian judgments in England against UK assets of the bank.
• Represented and advised UK, Kenyan and South African families with claims against Kenya Airlines following the KQ507 fatal air incident in Douala, Cameroon.
• Represented and advised Sudanese families with claims against Sudan Airways following the 109 fatal air incident in Khartoum.
• Represented and advised UK, Kenyan and South African families with claims against Kenya Airlines and the Boeing Corporation following the KQ507 fatal air incident in Douala, Cameroon.
• Represented and advised 5 UK tourists and a Canadian pilot on claims against Nyika Safaris following Cessna 206’s fatal air accident in Malawi.
• Represented and advised Safari air operator after a fatal Cessna 404 crash in Tanzania involving 10 US tourists and two Tanzanian crew.
• Represented and advised family of a commercial helicopter pilot following an oil exploration Aerospatiale Dauphin helicopter fatal accident in Nigeria.
• Acted for an African diamond mining company in a claim for wrongful death of an English employee further to an attack on a diamond mine in Angola.
• Acted for a listed oil and gas exploration company in a $1 billion joint operating agreement dispute relating to North African oil and gas assets.
• Advised foreign shareholders in a nationalised African bank on possible claims against the relevant African government.
• Acted for a listed junior mining company in a dispute relating to threatened termination of its mining licence in a Southern African state.
• Defended a Nigerian energy company in the Commercial Court in England over alleged breaches of a multi-million pound bond guarantee.
• Advised private mining company in relation to a dispute concerning the aborted sale of a subsidiary mining company in Africa. Valued at US$283 million.
• Advised and acted for a party in court proceedings in relation to its claim against its partners in relation to the development of a power plant in an Africa and the subsequent issuing of court proceedings. Investigations into the claim considered allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation by the partners as to their status with a third-party company. Claim value US$20 million.

As experts in employment law, our team advise on cross-border employment matters, including executive exits, outsourcing arrangements, and employment tribunal claims. We support investment funds, professional services firms, regulators, and multinational businesses on workforce issues arising from international operations, transactions, and restructuring across Africa and other global markets.

• Acted for a specialist African Investment Fund Management company based in South Africa and London in relation to UK employment issues and then advised the founding directors on their exit when it was sold to and merged into a larger fund portfolio.
• Acted for an international professional services firm in respect of an outsourcing contract won in relation to the provision of facilities management services across 121 properties, across 94 countries in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, China and Africa.
• Represented a South Africa-based online gambling regulator in a UK Employment Tribunal.
• Advised a facilities management company on the roll-out of a global outsourcing contract in 15 jurisdictions and co-ordinating advice in relation to applicable consultation and information obligations.

Keystone Law’s energy lawyers advise on international oil, gas and natural resources matters, including complex acquisitions, financings, licensing, and cross‑border operational and regulatory issues. The team also supports clients with technology sharing, IP, and major technical services arrangements across global energy markets.

• Represented Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd (assets in Australia, Hungary and South Africa) on its US$25m financing and its admission to AIM.
• Advised an energy company on the potential acquisition of interests in oil and gas blocks in Africa.
• Advised an international oil company on its $850m acquisition of OML 30 in Nigeria from Shell and other oil majors.
• Advised on IP/technology sharing, licensing and secondment arrangements for large scale enhanced technical services agreements between Shell and Kuwait Oil Company for three new oil and gas fields.

We advise on cross-border family and children matters, including international relocation, abduction, and jurisdictional disputes. Acting for clients between Africa and the UK, we help secure the return of children, navigate complex jurisdictional issues, and manage sensitive divorce and custody proceedings across borders.

• Acted for a client seeking his daughter’s relocation from Kenya to the UK.
• Acted for a client whose child had been abducted from Kenya (a non-Hague country) to the UK and secured a return to the jurisdiction of her habitual residence.
• Advised a client in a Kenya/UK jurisdiction race involving divorce proceedings.

Clients entrust our specialist lawyers to advise on complex fraud and financial crime matters, including high-value allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation, conspiracy and money laundering. We act for high-net-worth individuals and businesses in sensitive cross-border disputes and investigations, providing strategic defence in civil claims and regulatory and criminal investigations.

• Defended a HNW individual from claims to recover US$22m for fraudulent misrepresentation and conspiracy to defraud by unlawful means over the sale of a large FMCG company in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Defended an African HNW individual in an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into allegations of money laundering in the UK.

We advise on complex insurance and reinsurance disputes, including coverage, jurisdiction, non-disclosure, property damage and business interruption claims. Acting for insurers, reinsurers and insureds, we have strong experience across aviation, mining and offshore energy, particularly in high-value, cross-border African risks.

• Acted for an African State Reinsurance Company in respect of a dispute with a Russian insurer and reinsurance broker in respect of coverage and material non-disclosure issues.
• Acted for Konkola Copper Mines on Commercial Court decision against Coromin concerning jurisdictional issues affecting a global insurance and reinsurance programme for Zambian copper mining risks.
• Acted for Libyan Arab Airlines, King Khalid International Airport, in respect of direct and indirect losses claim relating to an aircraft being struck by catering truck.
• Advised a global reinsurer on offshore energy claims relating to drilling operations off the coast of Nigeria.
• Represented a mining group in relation to the recovery of a substantial property damage and business interruption claim arising from the collapse of an open pit at a Zambian copper mine.

We advise on high-value international arbitration across Africa and emerging markets in a range of sectors. Our experience spans LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL proceedings, acting for investors, contractors and energy companies in joint venture, licensing, construction and oil and gas disputes seated in London and other major arbitral centres.

• Acted for an investor in a London-seated LCIA arbitration with claims against its joint venture partner arising out of a failed gold mine in Zimbabwe.
• Advised on corporate lending and equity investment for an offshore lender relating to land interests in Southern Africa.
• Represented a pay-tv operator in arbitration proceedings over the sale and licensing of pay-TV rights and sports content for the Middle East and North Africa region (the contract spanned 22 countries) with a value of $1.8bn.
• Acted for a large Japanese contractor in an ICC arbitration in relation to the construction of a significant road in East Africa concerning claims in the region of US$160m.
• Acted for a South African contractor in two LCIA arbitrations in relation to the construction and maintenance of a significant railway in Sierra Leone serving a gold mine.
• Acted for a joint-venture partner in an LCIA arbitration involving a partnership dispute and carve-up of assets following the revocation by the state of a significant gold mining licence in Zimbabwe.
• Acted for a pay-TV platform in ICC Paris arbitration proceedings relating to the sale and licensing of pay-TV rights and sports content for 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region with a value of $1.6bn.
• Acted on an injunction relating to a US$100m investment in a chrome mining giant in Zimbabwe.
• Acted for investors in an ICC arbitration against joint-venture partners in a dispute arising out of the operation of a significant Zambian copper mine.
• Acted for TANESCO (the Tanzanian Electricity Company) in an UNCITRAL Arbitration related to the construction of a power station in Southern Tanzania.
• Acted for the respondent in ICC London arbitration proceedings in an African oil and gas dispute relating to an offshore drilling contract.
• Acted in an arbitration between a Nigerian energy company and a major European energy company regarding oil for product swap contracts in Nigeria.
• Acted on an ICC arbitration relating to the construction of a power plant in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Advised a joint venture company between a subsidiary of a Nigerian oil company and a company registered in Singapore in an LCIA arbitration with regard to a fraud dispute relating to a multimillion-pound purchase of oil rigs.
• Advised a Nigerian oil company in ICC Arbitration proceedings concerning a claim for over $300m in connection with the purchase of an oil mining licence.
• Advised on a London arbitration arising from orders to sail to a high-risk piracy area in West Africa and a dispute arising from a failure to cancel a trade allowance which resulted in the loss of a subsequent fixture.
• Advised on two arbitration disputes relating to contracts falling for performance in Zimbabwe and Ghana. Both disputes related to contracts offered by the local government for mining and energy rights. Values were circa $20m and $5m, respectively.
• Represented the respondent in arbitration proceedings (London seat) in an African oil and gas dispute with a value of $19m.
• Acted for a listed oil and gas exploration company in an LCIA arbitration pertaining to a failed seismic survey.

We advise creditors, investors, governments, and corporates on complex restructurings and insolvencies across Africa. Our work includes distressed investments, debt resolution, standstills and refinancings, lender coordination, and cross-border restructurings.

• Acted for a significant Chinese shareholder, bondholder and trade creditor on the insolvency of African Minerals Limited.
• Advised a syndicate of development finance institutions (Proparco, AFD, European Investment Bank, OeEB and FMO) in relation to Chase Bank Kenya.
• Advised in relation to Jetlinks Kenya.
• Advised in relation to the restructuring of a telecom business in Nigeria.
• Advised Proparco in relation to the restructuring of Mumias Sugar Corporation in Kenya.
• Advised the Government of Cabo Verde and the national airline of Cabo Verde in relation to a debt resolution and liability management, aircraft operating leases and the privatisation sale to Icelandair Group.
• Acted for a West African commodities group on its standstill, refinancing and restructuring negotiations in West Africa, the UK and Switzerland.
• Advised an ad hoc group of bondholders in the restructuring of Artumas, an oil and gas exploration company with assets in Tanzania and Mozambique.