Clifford Chance advises on an array of banking, capital markets, and financing transactions, including Islamic finance, acquisition finance, cross-border financing, and general corporate lending. As a market leader with ‘solid experience’ in project finance and project development, the firm has been involved in major energy, mining, and infrastructure projects in Morocco. It regularly advises international and African investors, lenders, sponsors, and governments. Practice co-heads Mustapha Mourahib and Ouns Lemseffer, supported by Meriem Komiha, are regularly involved in project financing. Lemseffer and Komiha also advise on structured financing, financial regulation, regulatory, and capital market operations.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The CC team in Morocco has vast knowledge regarding the local practices mixed with know-how on international procedures. This allows us to keep the process moving as smoothly as possible.’

  • ‘The availability of the full team has been remarkable from the beginning of the project.’

  • ‘The big plus is the connection between all the Clifford Chance offices, they are like a big team. We can therefore have access to different expertise when needed.’

  • ‘Ouns Lemseffer's knowledge of the sector and commitment to defending clients is impeccable. There's a healthy dynamic in her teams, which is important for reassuring clients that a case is being handled properly.'

  • ‘Strong teams with solid experience in project finance transactions.’

  • ‘Special mention to Ouns Lemssefer. A very talented partner eager to learn more and grow.’

Key clients

  • Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF)
  • European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD)
  • MASEN
  • ONHYM
  • Acciona Agua S.A
  • Green of Africa
  • Afriquia Gaz
  • Le Fonds Mohammed VI pour l'Investissement
  • US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)
  • Enel Green Power Morocco
  • SNOP Tanger
  • Banque Centrale Populaire
  • Atlantic Business International
  • Nareva Holding
  • Attijariwafa Bank
  • Bank of Africa
  • Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P)
  • OCP
  • JORF FERTILIZERS COMPANY III SA
  • A.P. Moller
  • Ninety One
  • Innov X
  • IFC
  • Omni Bridgeway

Work highlights

  • Advising Acciona Agua, Green of Africa S.A., and Afriquia Gaz on their successful bid for the development, financing, and operation of a desalination plant in Casablanca to supply 300 million m3 of water per year.
  • Advising CIMAF/CIMAT as the borrower and sponsor in respect of the facilities to be provided by IFC, Proparco, and EAIF in order for the borrowers to expand the existing cement grinding facilities in Ghana and Mali and build a new state-of-the-art integrated cement plant in Senegal.
  • Advised IFC and EAIF in their investment regarding a public securitisation of (i) telecom receivables and (ii) employee loans in Senegal, and originated by Sonatel, a leading West African telecoms carrier with the largest network in Senegal.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Mustapha Mourahib
Hall of fameClifford Chance
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Meriem Komiha
Clifford Chance
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ouns Lemseffer
Clifford Chance

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Mustapha Mourahib, Ouns Lemseffer.

Other key lawyers

Meriem Komiha, Youssef Tork, Yasmine Hitane.