Bowmans is a full-service law firm with expertise in corporate, projects and finance and dispute resolution, and the ‘reliable and thorough’ team frequently advises on cross-border matters, particularly in the mining, telecoms and consumer goods sectors. Practice head Wilbert Kapinga is a corporate and banking specialist who mainly assists financial institutions and corporations with corporate, regulatory and transactional matters. The group also includes commercial litigation lawyer Audax Kameja, who specialises in intellectual property law and arbitration; public and private M&A expert Ryan Kitcat; and the ‘very capable and methodical’ Charles Mmasi, who assists with finance, corporate and M&A and regulatory matters. Michael Strain, who is a corporate and commercial specialist, joined the partnership from Clyde & Co LLP in March 2023. James Pius  and Bertha Mwarija are also key contacts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Bowmans has a hard working team, reliable and thorough, and is always my go to as Tanzanian counsel.’

  • ‘James Pius is calm, responsive and can offer practical advice.'

  • ‘Charles Mmasi is a very capable and methodical lawyer, and quick to respond at all times.'

  • 'Bertha Mwarija is a promising up and coming junior associate.’

Key clients

  • Minara Tanzania Limited
  • Evolution Energy Minerals Limited
  • Peak Rare Earths Limited
  • EcoGraf Limited
  • Leapfrog IV SK Holdings
  • Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited
  • Godrej Consumer Products Limited
  • Tiffany and Company

Work highlights

  • Advised Minara Tanzania Limited on its acquisition of +1400 telecommunications towers from Airtel Tanzania plc.
  • Assisted Peak Rare Earth in finalising a Framework Agreement with the Government of Tanzania with respect to the licensing, development, economic benefit sharing and the formation of a joint venture between Peak and the Government of Tanzania with respect to the development and operation of the Ngualla Project.
  • Advised on the framework agreement between Evolution Energy Minerals Limited and the Government for the development of the Chilalo Graphite Project in Tanzania, including reviewing the framework agreement, the incorporation documents for the joint venture company and other associated documentation and attending negotiations with the Special Presidential Government Negotiation Team (SPGNT).

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Wilbert Kapinga

Other key lawyers

Audax Kameja, Ryan Kitcat, Charles Mmasi, Michael Strain, James Pius, Bertha Mwarija