About

Number of years practice: 35

Principal practice areas: Project finance, projects, trade
and commodity finance

Languages spoken: English and French

What is the geographical focus of your practice in Africa?

Pan-African, with a focus on North and Francophone Africa, West Africa and East Africa.

Please describe the most important matters you have worked on in the African market in the last two years, including your role and the significance of the matter (if any) to the development of business and law.

I have been involved in many, but four particularly significant matters for the development of the particular countries and communities include advising the Government of Rwanda on the concession for the new Bugesera International Airport. This was a major infrastructure project to develop Rwanda as a regional hub.

Secondly, advising the East African Development Bank on many development financings in the East African Community countries. This included medium sized and SME private sector loans and lines of credit to assist the development of the agriculture and other sectors in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Thirdly, advising the Government of Cameroon on the various financing aspects of the Nachtigal hydropower project which saw 420 MW of vitally needed power to help the development of Cameroon.

Finally, advising the IFC as the adviser to the Government of Liberia on its National Diagnostic PPP project – which was the first modern diagnostic centre with facilities not currently existing in country.

What differentiates your practice from that of other private practice lawyers?

[I am] development finance-focused, and equally happy working for governments, project sponsors or lenders which increases insights and value add in supporting clients on projects.

Why has Africa been a particularly strong focus for you?

I am passionate about helping the continent to develop on the basis of sustainable projects which are scalable, and so that lessons can be learned for successful future projects.

What changes have you seen in the appetite for Africa-based ventures and investments over the last five years?

There is a much increased appetite but still too many projects that never achieve financial close.

Are there any aspects of the African legal market that you would like to see change?

Larger African firms, more specialisation, greater focus on continuing education and greater opportunity of partnership for able associates at established commercial firms.

What megatrends do you think will shape the African market over the coming five years? How (if at all) will these trends affect your practice?

Climate change, climate change, climate change. An essay could be written on the significant economic, social and political impacts this will have on the continent. It will create some opportunities for entrepreneurs but the challenges for Governments will be far greater if even greater hardship is to be avoided.