Africa

Overview

Our Africa Practice builds on our cross-border transaction skills and our franchise lawyers possess a deep understanding of the local African business and economic climate. We pride ourselves on leveraging not only our legal experience but also our personal ties to the continent, ensuring the delivery of highly skilled services to address the specific needs for an African business. This commitment extends to a diverse clientele, including governments, financial institutions and multinational consumer products companies.

Our franchise lawyers understand the region, culture, and needs of African clients and global clients with business in African. Notably, key team members have roots in Africa, bringing a first-hand perspective to their work. They have collaborated with African companies across the continent and are fluent in various African languages, enhancing our ability to communicate effectively with clients. We maintain close working relationships with law firms in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, while continuing strong connections to businesses in South Africa. We keep up with changing laws and markets through our legal and business contacts, local media, and participation in African professional programs.

Representative Experience

• African client regarding the financing on the purchase of oil‐field equipment in connection with the development of the Cabinda field
• Ethiopian entity in connection with an application for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Sponsor in the financing of a portfolio of distributed solar projects for off-grid generation in Ghana and elsewhere in West Africa
• Financial institution in respect of a university housing project that is being developed in Kenya on a public-private partnership basis. The project would be one of the first projects approved under Kenya’s new public-private-partnership laws.
• South African chemical company in connection with US patent applications
• South African telecommunications company with US patent applications
• South African toy manufacturing in US patent infringement counseling
• South African trade association on corporate matters related to its expansion of operations into the United States
• South African-based multinational in connection with certain matters related to its proposed launch of an online gaming website compliant with US laws and regulations
• US franchisor in the expansion of its franchise system to South Africa