Cameroon > Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Cameroon is renowned for its strengths in the oil and gas sector, as well as agriculture and mining. The country is attracting healthy levels of foreign direct investment in these sectors, as well as infrastructure projects, which include the upgrading of the road and railway network, and the construction of a flagship sports stadium in the suburbs of Douala. There is also substantial interest in energy projects, particularly in renewables such as hydro, solar and biomass.

Privatisation has become a significant area of focus for many law firms, as the government recently announced plans to revive the process. Another growth area is cyber security, where there is growing political will to establish a strategy to fight internet-based criminality and build a legitimate digital economy.

The legal market in Cameroon is mainly comprised of small, local practices, and many firms have a range of specialisms to support the smaller market and diverse economy. Some firms benefit from close alliances with international firms, receiving referrals from outside the country to facilitate international investment.

Etah-Nan & Co has a strong footing in the market, with expertise spanning banking, finance, aviation, telecoms, IP, mining, energy and environment-related work. The firm is proficient in contentious and non-contentious matters alike, and has advised a range of international and domestic clients such as airlines and financial institutions. Managing partner D Etah Akoh leads on mandates in the telecoms sector, and is also active in mining, financial, corporate and commercial work. Head of litigation Paul Nan also advises on IP, environmental and competition law.

Two-partner firm Jing & Partners is praised as having expertise in transactional matters, where it assists clients such as the IFC, HSBC and Total Cameroon. Banking, finance, insurance, IP, privatisation, M&A, employment, shipping, aviation, energy, telecoms and tax law are among its key focuses. Paul Jing is head of the corporate and commercial team, while Laurent Dongmo is active in dispute resolution as well as finance, employment and capital markets.

‘An excellent firm for commercial, corporate, projects and litigation’, Ngassam, Fansi & Mouafo, Avocats Associés has a ‘clever, reactive and committed’ team, which notably also operates as part of the Eversheds Africa Law Institute. Key highlights included advising Boeing on the establishment of an office in Cameroon and assisting Energyst with an employment matter. Halliburton, Frank’s International and Michelin are also on its client roster. Laurence Mouafo is one of three partners in the firm and is recommended along with the ‘very experienced’ Virgile Ngassam and Hyacinthe Fansi, who is ‘very responsive and his advice is straight to the point’.

Abeng Law Firm is a partner firm in the Miranda Alliance and is well placed to handle corporate, commercial, IP, debt recovery and dispute resolution mandates for international clients. It is primarily focused on work in technology, media and telecoms, energy, trade, transport and environment. Firm founder Abeng Roland has longstanding experience in the market.

Geni & Kebe is headquartered in Senegal and operates from its affiliated office in Douala. It is active across West Africa, and advises on corporate, commercial, TMT, finance, energy, and banking matters, particularly in the context of transactions and disputes. Senegal-based managing partner Mouhamed Kebe is the principal contact.

Henri Job Law Firm has a strong corporate practice and is also recognised for its ADR and mediation expertise. It often advises on maritime, insurance, tax, banking, oil and gas, TMT and privatisation. Managing partner Henri Pierre Job is recommended.

Key work for the ‘fantastic’ team at Zangue & Partners includes advising Standard Chartered and Société Générale on Cameroon’s inaugural Eurobonds issuance, which totalled $750m. The firm also acted for IHS Cameroon on the refinancing of telecoms towers in Cameroon. Sucres & Denrées and Union Bank of Cameroon are also clients. Managing partner Serges Martin Zangue is a notable figure.