Linklaters has advised on numerous landmark transactions in key sectors including energy, mining, oil & gas, infrastructure and telecoms across the African region. In doing so, we have built up excellent and long term working relationships with the leading local law firms in every single jurisdiction. We also maintain close connections with authorities, governments, funders, project sponsors and other institutions across Africa, ensuring that we have the ability to adapt to the cultural differences of each individual country as well as their unique local requirements.

Our Paris team’s ability to assist on transactions in West and Central Africa is greatly enhanced not only by our sector expertise but also by our experience in OHADA Treaty Countries. The OHADA provides for a uniform system of business law directly applicable in 17 African countries and means that the laws of these countries are more in line with current French law, in particular,corporate law, security interests (recently reformed), insolvency and arbitration.

Our experience also covers other community systems such as UEMOA/ WAEMU and CEMAC/ECCAS that apply in West Africa and Central Africa respectively. They cover matters such as foreign exchange and certain economic sector regulations  including mining, telecommunications and competition.

Recent Africa experience:
  • MMG limited on the exchange of its remaining 70% interest in the Mutoshi mine for exploration and development rights over eight permits held by DR Congo State-owned entity Gécamines
  • Jorf Lasfar power project Expansion in Morocco
  • Azito Energie on major West African power project 
  • China Minmetals on its $1.3 billion acquisition of the DRC copper producer Anvil