The Legal 500 > Europe, Middle East & Africa > Algeria > Commercial, corporate and M&A

Bourabiat Associés assists national and international corporates, financial institutions, government bodies and sponsors with various corporate and commercial matters as well as M&A. The practice, headed by Foued Bourabiat, advised technology company ABB on the transfer of its worldwide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business to a third-party purchaser. The Carlyle Group and Cevital are other notable clients. Valérie Veaux Muller is another key contact.

Providing an 'excellent knowledge of the regulatory environment', CMS is experienced in M&A and corporate transactions involving industrial PPPs and joint ventures, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, construction and oil and gas industries. Practice head Samir Sayah, who is 'available and accessible', advised Ipsen Pharma on the establishment of an industrial partnership in Algeria with two local financial partners. Partner Amine Sator, senior associate and tax expert Nabil Abdessemed and associate Amina Rabai are other names to note.

Led by Samy Laghouati, the team at Gide Loyrette Nouel handles privatisations, joint ventures, acquisitions, divestments and large-scale infrastructure transactions, assisting both public bodies and foreign investors. A notable highlight was advising Total on a joint venture with Algerian state-owned oil and gas company Sonatrach. Other notable clients include Engie, Volkswagen and Sanofi. Rym Loucif moved to LPA-CGR in 2018.

Bennani & Associés LLP assists clients with setting up joint ventures, due diligence, import and export contracts, trade marks and distribution agreements, with a focus on the energy, automotive and agricultural sectors. The practice, which is led by Mourad Seghir, advised Siemens and Alstom on aspects related to the concentration authorisation of the merging of their rail operations. Key clients also include British Petroleum (BP) and Australia and New Zealand Bank (ANZ).

Led by name partner Mohamed Lanouar, L&P Partners assists clients with joint venture negotiation and structuring, large-scale transactions, foreign exchange control, intellectual property and tax-related issues. Arezki Djadour advised the Algerian assembling plant of Renault vehicles on the setting up of a new plant, while Mounir Ait Belkacem advised manufacturer Centaure on a joint venture with local group Mimoun. The client portfolio also includes Pfizer and LafargeHolcim. The practice is member of DLA Piper Africa.

LPA-CGR’s corporate and M&A work encompasses business ventures, private equity deals and privatisations. The practice is jointly led by Alain Gauvin and Rym Loucif, the latter of whom arrived from Gide Loyrette Nouel in 2018. Fatima-Zohra Bouchemla, who is well versed in dispute resolution and arbitration, is another name to note. Recent highlights include assisting Tell Group with the creation of the first investment fund for Algerian companies and investors and advising local private company Mageco on a number of corporate transactions.