Firms To Watch: Foreign firms

The Africa practice at Shearman & Sterling LLP is led by Lachlan Poustie and Samuel Ogunlaja, and has been busy working on some large and novel projects in the energy and natural resources sectors.

Foreign firms in Ghana

Clifford Chance LLP

Under the joint leadership of Olamide Oladosu and recently promoted partner Kayode Oladipo, the first-class team at Clifford Chance LLP has a strong and established reputation for its work with a range of international and local corporates and financial institutions. It boasts substantial experience in the power and oil and gas sectors. Key practitioner Jeremy Connick is a partner in the firm’s infrastructure and energy group and the regional co-head for Southern Africa; he specialises in advising sponsors and lenders on energy, natural resources and infrastructure transactions. Oladosu has extensive commercial, corporate and finance experience in the power and oil and gas industries, while Oladipo specialises in all aspects of emerging markets cross-border loan financing.

Practice head(s):

Olamide Oladosu; Kayode Oladipo


Other key lawyers:

Jeremy Connick


Testimonials

‘Jeremy Connick-partner is a great asset to the team.’

‘Olamide Oladosu is an excellent partner’.

Key clients

Investec Bank Limited


Deutsche Bank AG


Genser Energy


Work highlights


  • Advised Genser Energy Group, a US-based integrated energy services provider operating in West Africa, in respect of its $425m financing.
  • Advised Investec on the EKN and ECIC supported financings to the Ministry of Finance of Ghana in respect of the construction of the Effia Nkwanta Western Regional Hospital.
  • Advised Deutsche Bank and UK Export Finance (UKEF) on the UKEF-supported financing to MOF Ghana for Phase 2 of the construction of Kumasi Market, including a tranche financed by the African Export-Import Bank.

Linklaters LLP

At Linklaters LLP, Andrew Jones heads the Africa Group and managing associate Kwaku Osei leads the Ghana desk, dividing his time between Ghana and London. The group has a broad range of sector expertise, covering oil and gas as well as mining and power. It is also adept at handling consumer goods and telecoms issues as well as having considerable expertise in the sports sector. Jones has a wealth of experience in advising clients on their Ghana-related business and has worked on some of the country’s most significant energy and infrastructure projects. Osei is experienced in advising sponsors, investors and lenders on energy and infrastructure projects and political risk insurance products in Africa and beyond.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Jones; Kwaku Osei


Key clients

Eiffel Investment Group


BUTEC Group


Unilever plc


Work highlights


  • Advised Eiffel Investment Group as lender in the financing of the construction, installation and operation of photovoltaic panels on commercial locations in Ghana and Sierra Leone by a subsidiary of Manocap.
  • Advised BUTEC Group, a group based in Dubai active in construction services, on the proposed acquisition of the Engie Services businesses.
  • Advised Unilever on the sale of its global tea business (known as ekaterra) to CVC Capital Partners for €4.5bn.

White & Case LLP

The accomplished team at White & Case LLP is led by senior partner Mukund Dhar, a member of the project development and finance team and head of the Africa interest group. The team has been active in key project developments and financings in the oil and gas, power, renewables, infrastructure and mining/metals sectors in Ghana. In addition, it is vastly experienced in water and wastewater treatment, technology and telecoms, as well as other areas such as pharmaceuticals and healthcare. Christopher Czarnocki is sought after for his work on a range of debt and equity finance transactions, while Joshua Siaw advises corporates, governments, banks and other financial institutions on cross-border project development and finance projects in Africa.

Practice head(s):

Mukund Dhar


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Czarnocki; Joshua Siaw


Testimonials

‘The White & Case team is efficient and knowledgeable. They go over and above to provide practical examples for their clients which makes it easy to work with them. I’d highlight Mukund Dhar and Chris Czarnoki’.

‘The team is super efficient with a great attitude towards work and their clients. They make difficult transactions easy to navigate‘.

Key clients

Chedid Capital


Republic of Ghana


Helios Investment Partners


Moove Africa B.V.


Work highlights


  • Providing ongoing representation of the Ministries of Finance and Energy of Ghana in connection with the monetisation of royalties payable to the state by companies operating in the gold commodity sector.
  • Representing Helios Investment Partners and Tema LNG Terminal Company in respect of the financing and project development of a liquefied natural gas terminal in Tema, Ghana, and related floating infrastructure vessels.
  • Representing the Republic of Ghana on the update of its global medium-term note (GMTN) programme, issuance thereunder of $3.25bn (in aggregate) notes and tender offer for outstanding notes.

Trinity International LLP

The active team at Trinity International LLP advises on some of the largest and most important energy and infrastructure projects in Africa, with a significant practice advising on Ghanaian transactions. Paul Biggs, Simon Norris and Kaushik Ray head the department, which advises on numerous IPPs and infrastructure projects locally for developers and lenders. It has an impressive client roster of European and African banks and development finance institutions, which turn to the team for advice on various aspects of financing, from acquisition financing to financial institution lending.

Practice head(s):

Paul Biggs; Simon Norris; Kaushik Ray


Other key lawyers:

Jo Sykes; Patrick Leece; Luke Muchamore; Simon Norris


Testimonials

‘Trinity’s practice is distinguished by its depth of knowledge of the markets they serve. Working with them as co-counsel is a truly collaborative experience. Its lawyers are generous with their time and knowledge and it’s a real pleasure to work with them’.

‘Many firms say they’re collegiate, but Trinity really is. Their client list is second to none and the reason they are client favourites is clear. They provide commercial and practical legal advice’.

‘They’re very knowledgeable and take a very practical and commercial approach. To clients, they’re trusted advisers and to co-counsel, they are great collaborators and partners. I have worked with these individuals and would wholeheartedly recommend them: Patrick Leece and Luke Muchamore‘.

Key clients

Cenpower Generation Company Limited


Amandi Energy Limited


Endeavor Energy


IbisTek (Atlantic Terminal Services)


Standard Bank of South Africa, ABSA Bank


Société Générale, Mauritius Commercial


Bank, Ninety-One, Barak Fund SPC Limited


and the Development Bank of Southern


Africa


IFU – Investment Fund for Developing


Countries


Work highlights


  • Advising the lender group comprising Standard Bank of South Africa, ABSA Bank, Société Générale, Mauritius Commercial Bank, Ninety-One, Barak Fund SPC and the Development Bank of Southern Africa on two major financings.
  • Continuing to advise Amandi IPP (also known as Twin City Energy) on construction, gas supply and financing matters.
  • Continuing to advise Cenpower Kpone IPP, the first Ghanaian IPP to reach financial close, on all aspects of ongoing construction and operations, gas supply and financing matters.