Aman & Partners Legal Service LLP
stands out for its particularly strong offering in TMT matters; for example, the team is acting as lead counsel to a subsidiary of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia on its acquisition of licences from government stakeholders and the National Bank of Ethiopia. Aman Assefa is well versed in advising on corporate law issues, and Bahakal Abate has an excellent track record in handling TMT, fintech, and data protection matters. Ermias Ayalew and Micael Sehul are also key practitioners.
Leading firms in Ethiopia
Aman & Partners Legal Service LLP
Practice head(s):
Aman Assefa; Bahakal Abate; Ermias Ayalew; Micael Sehul
Testimonials
‘Aman & Partners have great depth of skill and expertise, making them a one-stop shop for legal advice in Ethiopia. ’
‘Aman & Partners have given an exceptional service in all areas. Being a foreign investor in Ethiopia, they also help our parent company for all local legal advisory.’
‘Bahakal Abate provides solid and pragmatic legal advice.’
‘The team has a good range of experience in energy and finance, which we appreciate.’
‘They work with regulators and know what will and won’t fly in the context of a given deal, especially when dealing with new regulations. ’
‘ The firm has really qualified lawyers who have diversified expertise and act in a very professional manner. What makes them stand out is they provide a practical solution to legal problems. ’
‘Good understanding of local law issues in Ethiopia. ’
Key clients
Safaricom M-Pesa Mobile Financial Services Plc
Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia Plc
Pharo Integrated Agriculture and Manufacturing PLC
Heineken Ethiopia SC
ALX (Africa Leadership Institute)
Renewvia Energy Corporation
RVE.SOL – Soluções de Energia Rural, S.A.
TAL Apparel
Ethio-chicken
Work highlights
- Advised Safaricom M-Pesa Mobile Financial Services Plc and its parent company, Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia Plc, on the acquisition of the first payment instrument issuer licence to be issued to a foreign investor.
- Acted as local counsel to Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia Plc on a 100 million USD debt financing arrangement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
- Acted as co-counsel, alongside Haynes and Boone LLP, to Raxio Data Centres concerning a sustainability-linked debt facility to be used to accelerate Raxio’s growth in African markets.
Mehrteab & Getu Advocates LLP (MLA)
Mehrteab & Getu Advocates LLP (MLA)
provides a broad range of legal services, and leverages the bench strength of the wider resources of DLA Piper to advise international clients, for example Nokia, McKinsey and Company Africa, and Cepheus Growth Capital Partners, on a wide spectrum of matters. Mehrteab Leul specialises in finance and dispute resolution work, while Getu Shiferaw handles corporate and tax mandates. Biruk Haile focuses on IP and technology issues, and Bamlak Alemayehu is a key contact for mining matters.
Practice head(s):
Mehrteab Leul; Getu Shiferaw; Biruk Haile; Bamlak Alemayehu
Testimonials
‘The team has a diverse practice area and it provides service with quality and on time. ’
‘The partners try to understand the needs of the client and provide support in a value-adding manner.’
‘The firm is very professional, and has very diverse understanding both on local and global policies, regulations and laws.’
‘The firm takes feedback and accommodates different views.’
‘The firm has deep understanding of the local regulations, service orientation, and provides detailed legal analysis with scenarios that help decision-making, with a clear understanding of the pros and cons.’
Key clients
Eastcastle Infrastructure
Castel Group and BGI Ethiopia
IFU, DANIDA
Cepheus Growth Capital Partners
Nokia Corporation
Cepheus Growth Capital Partners
Mylan Laboratories Limited
Children Investment Fund foundation (CIFF)
ASB Hotel Properties PLC
McKinsey and Company Africa PTY/ LTD Ethiopia Branch
Tamrat Assefa Liban Law Office
At Tamrat Assefa Liban Law Office, the team has a strong track record in handling high-profile, complex matters in the finance arena. Recent areas of instruction for the group include high-value project and trade finance transactional matters. The practice is jointly led by Tamrat Assefa and Marina Bwile.
Practice head(s):
Tamrat Assefa; Marina Bwile
Testimonials
‘Tamrat Assefa is a real star and always up to date with the latest legal, regulatory and market developments. ’
‘Tamrat Assefa and Marina Bwile are familiar with the legislative framework in Ethiopia and are therefore capable of offering sound legal advice.’
‘The firm is extremely helpful and offers good knowledge of Ethiopian law.’
Key clients
Ernst & Young / Government of Ethiopia
Deloitte & Touche South Africa
Mirova SunFunder FMO and OEEB (Development Bank of Austria)
Leadcom LIS Ltd / Leadcom Network Services Private Limited Co.
Tech Mahindra Ltd
Canaan Creative Ltd
International Finance Corporation
Credit Suisse
BTN ICT Consultancy PLC / Baran Telecom Networks Kenya Limited
ACME Network Services Ethiopia Plc
Work highlights
- Represented Teybridge Capital (BVI) Limited in a US$ 50 million trade finance transaction in Ethiopia.
- Represented Credit Suisse, backed by EKF, EKN and SERV in connection with a USD 865 million financing of a railway project managed by Ethiopia Railway Corporation..
- Acted for BGP Inc in a matter concerning the enforcement of a US$14 million HKIAC award against Poly-GCL Petroleum Investments Limited Ethiopia Branch.
TBeST Law LLP
Full-service firm TBeST Law LLP is adept at assisting with a broad range of commercial and corporate work. The team handles the tax and corporate law aspects of transactional matters, often for clients in the manufacturing industry, and has expertise in advising on cross-border mining mandates, including related agreements and loan matters. Practice head Taddese Lencho specialises in tax and insolvency, and often represents clients in high-value tax disputes.
Practice head(s):
Taddese Lencho
Key clients
Akobo Minerals A/B and Etno Mining PLC
Work highlights
- Advised Etno Mining PLC on an international funding matter.
Teshome Gabre-Mariam Bokan Metasebia part of Wossen Teshome Bok
Teshome Gabre-Mariam Bokan Metasebia part of Wossen Teshome Bok‘s broad offering includes handling investments into Ethiopia, tax, regulatory and compliance matters, and dispute resolution. Firm head Wossen Teshome Bokan is an IP specialist, and also brings expertise in tax and employment law. Gemechu Merera focuses on arbitration and litigation, and consultant Ruth Gizachew is a key contact for corporate, M&A, and tax matters.
Practice head(s):
Wossen Teshome Bokan
Other key lawyers:
Ruth Gizachew; Gemechu Merera
Key clients
Krones AG
Steinecker GmbH
DABLO LAW FIRM LLP
DABLO LAW FIRM LLP advises clients in a range of different practice areas, including corporate, dispute resolution, and real estate. Dawit Kidane, who leads the team, has extensive experience handling matters for clients in the construction and real estate sectors. Addisu Hailegebriel focuses on commercial, civil, and labour cases, while Bruk Geremew's workload includes tax and employment law issues.
Practice head(s):
Dawit Kidane
Other key lawyers:
Addisu Hailegebriel; Bruk Geremew
Testimonials
‘DABLO is a reliable law firm for litigation and contract work.’
‘DABLO is an experienced firm with good understanding of their area of specialization. The firm has a cross functional team and they are very collaborative and dynamic on how they handle their projects.’
‘The firm is knowledgeable, professional, candid and most importantly very understanding and patient with the client.’
‘Dawit Kidane is reliable, hands-on and very practical in his way. He has very good commercial acumen.’
‘Dawit Kidane has good work ethics and dedication to his work.’
‘Dawit Kidane has extensive experience in the legal sector and has a high level of commitment and dedication to excellence.’
‘I really appreciate the professionalism, availability and supportive nature of Dawit Kidane.’
Key clients
Heineken Breweries SC
Gesha Village Coffee Estate PLC
ALS Geochemistry (Global)
Gift Real Estate PLC
Green Professional Services PLC
AIRE Africa
Wejiz Engineering PLC
BDO – Ethiopia PLC
Mariestopes International (MSI) Ethiopia
EPPAD Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Work highlights
- Handled due diligence proceedings for EPPAD Pharma relating to the acquisition of a pharmaceuticals company.
- Advised Gift Real Estate PLC on negotiations and acquisitions of stakes in real estate ventures and the procurement of real estate land holdings.
- Represented Heineken Breweries SC in arbitration relating to a commercial dispute with a supplier in Ethiopia.
Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office in cooperation with BonelliErede
Lidet Abebe Tizazu Law Office in cooperation with BonelliErede acts for international investors and as well as local corporations across a range of areas. Key names include Gianpiero Succi, who splits his practice between Genoa and Ethiopia and specialises in advising on Africa-focused cross-border mandates, Lidet Abebe Tizazu and Mahlet Kassa.
Practice head(s):
Gianpiero Succi; Lidet Abebe Tizazu; Mahlet Kassa
Tamru Wondm Agegnehu & Partners LLP
Tamru Wondm Agegnehu & Partners LLP's broad workload includes corporate, construction, and capital markets matters. Tameru Wondm Agegnehu is well known for his expertise in corporate and commercial law.
Practice head(s):
Tameru Wondm Agegnehu