Banking, finance and capital markets

Bowmans

Praised by clients for its ‘very creative solutions for client’s transactions’, Bowmans’s banking and finance team benefits from the firm’s full-service offering, advising lenders and borrowers on the full spectrum of strategic finance matters, including debt restructuring, projects, real estate and commodities finance, acquisition finance, capital markets, leveraged and acquisition finance, and structured finance. The team is highly sought after for its international expertise, advising clients from the banking, energy, telecommunications, and other industries on local and cross-border transactions. Cornelius Kigera heads the team, and is frequently approached for high-value corporate financing matters, while Dominic Indokhomi has a strong track record in fintech, capital markets, and debt structurings. Paras Shah is highly active in complex transactions, including syndicated loans.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The firm is able to think of very creative solutions for their client's transactions.'
'They have wide reaching networks within and outside of the Kenyan government and are able to give business and legal insight where needed.'
'The associates and teams in the firm are relatively young and tech savvy which makes communication and quick turnaround time efficient and friendly to their clients.’
'Cornelius Kigera offers exceptional service in terms of prompt legal advice and legal opinions. He is client focused, understands our business and his technical ability is outstanding.'
‘I work with the Banking and Finance team led by Cornelius Kigera. He is easy to reach, thinks on his feet, gives sound opinions that take into account our customer needs and the bank's bottom line.'
'They take their time to network and touch base with their clients. Ensuring to properly equip them with new knowledge, free trainings on any trending legal matters that would affect our day to day operations etc. They are fun, easy going and extremely knowledgable. An absolute pleasure to work with!’
'I have had the pleasure of working with Cornelius Kigera who leads the team. He has maintained a very practical and commercially sound approach in his legal advice. He is super responsive.'
'The Bowmans team has a profound grasp of local and international laws & financing regulations and have wide Africa footprint which makes it very simple when engaging them on regional deals. The team is also uniquely placed in the market when advising on complex English law financing transactions.'

Key clients

E3 Energy Kenya Limited
KCB Bank Kenya Limited
Greenlight Planet Kenya Limited
Stanbic Bank Botswana Limited,
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Cordiant Capital Inc.
Vantage Mezzanine III Pan African Sub Fund Partnership
United Nations (Acting through Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP)
FMO
Mirova Sunfunder Inc
Apollo Agriculture Limited

Work highlights

Acted as Kenyan counsel to Greenlight Planet Kenya Limited in a securitisation relating to the purchase of its receivables by Sun King Financing Limited, who in turn were being financed by several lenders through the issuance of notes.
Advised E3 Energy on the financing they were to receive from KCB Bank Kenya.
Acted as counsel for KCB in connection with secured banking facilities for up to USD110m to Fort Retail Kenya Limited.