Foreign firms in Ghana

Clifford Chance LLP

Under the leadership of Olamide Oladosu and Kayode Oladipo, the excellent team at Clifford Chance LLP has many years of experience of working in Ghana. The group continues to advise international and local corporates, as well as financial institutions, on a broad range of transactions. Oladosu has an established track record in advising on landmark transactions in Africa, with a particular focus on handling LNG projects in the region, and is equally strong at handling corporate, commercial and financial matters for clients in the power and oil and gas sectors. Oladipo has extensive expertise in handling emerging markets cross-border loan financing matters. The client base includes construction companies, private equity funds, commercial and development banks, and energy sector entities.

Practice head(s):

Olamide Oladosu; Kayode Oladipo


Key clients

Genser Energy


The Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited


ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID)


DBSA


Africa Finance Corporation (AFC)


Deutsche Bank AG


UK Export Finance (UKEF)


Actis GP LLP


Mainstream Renewable Power


Proparco


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Work highlights


  • Acted for Deutsche Bank and UK Export Finance (UKEF) on the UKEF-supported financing to the Ministry of Finance of Ghana for a water infrastructure project in Tamale.
  • Advised Actis and Mainstream on the sale of Lekela Power to a joint venture company.
  • Advised Proparco and the International Finance Corporation on financing the upgrade and expansion of medical diagnostic services of members of Cerba Lancet Africa S.A.S..

Linklaters LLP

Linklaters LLP' team has a strong reputation for its work on some of the country’s most prominent transactions.Under the joint leadership of Andrew Jones and Kwaku Osei, the group is active on complex matters in the oil and gas, mining and power sectors, and is equally adept at representing clients in the consumer goods, telecoms, and sports sectors. Jones, who heads the firm’s Africa group, is an energy and infrastructure expert; Osei splits his time between London and Ghana, and is very experienced in advising sponsors, investors and lenders on  political risk insurance products in Africa and Europe, as well as energy and infrastructure projects.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Jones; Kwaku Osei


Work highlights


  • Advising the lenders on an ongoing basis on various matters relating to Kosmos Energy’s $1.25bn reserve-based lending facility, which is secured against Kosmos Energy’s production assets in Ghana and Equatorial Guinea.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP is active in a range of complex projects, transactions and disputes in Ghana. Led by senior partner Mukund Dhar, the team has a wealth of experience in advising clients in the power, oil and gas, infrastructure, mining and metals, water and wastewater treatment sectors. The group is also strong in advising transport, pharmaceutical and real estate sector companies. Dhar heads up the Africa interest group in the firm, and is recognised for his expertise in project development and finance matters. Joshua Siaw acts for corporates, governments, banks and other financial institutions in cross-border project development and finance transactions in Africa. Christopher Czarnocki is a key name for handling debt and equity finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

Mukund Dhar


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Czarnocki; Prema Govind; Joshua Siaw


Testimonials

‘The team has provided comprehensive advice towards negotiating and financing a power project. Particularly, the team has brought on-board high-level understanding of the energy sector.’

‘They have the ability to navigate through the complexities of the project to find tailored solutions and manage risks.’

‘The individuals I have worked with demonstrate professionalism and teamwork. Each individual has collaborated well with local counsels to advance the project so far. Each individual’s ability to provide key comprehensive advice and solutions towards the project has been valuable.’

‘I have worked with Christopher Czarnocki, Prema Govind and Mukund Dhar. In our work, I have valued their ability to respect individual professional opinions and meet deadlines which has advanced the project. Again, each individual has shown great level on commitment on the project.’

‘The team is very thorough and pays attention to detail. Very conversant with the subject matter area.’

Key clients

Helios Investment Partners and Tema LNG Terminal Company Ltd


Moove Africa B.V.


Standard Bank


African Export Import Bank


Work highlights


  • Assisting 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.
  • Advising Helios Investment Partners and Tema LNG Terminal Company Limited on the financing and project development of a liquefied natural gas terminal in Tema, Ghana, and related floating infrastructure vessels.
  • Acting for the Republic of Ghana in relation to the update of its global medium-term note (GMTN) program, issuance thereunder of $ 3.25bn (in aggregate) notes and tender offer for outstanding notes.

Trinity International LLP

Trinity International LLP has established a significant presence in Ghana. The team frequently advises on major local transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Under the collective leadership of Paul BiggsSimon Norris and Kaushik Ray, the practice continues to be kept busy handling IPPs and infrastructure projects for developers and lenders. Biggs has extensive experience acting on a diverse range of projects in the energy, power, electricity, ports and airports sectors. Ray is regularly instructed by lenders and borrowers on African project and corporate financing transactions, while Norris is sought after by developers, investors and financial institutions to advise on power, energy, and transport transactions in emerging markets.

Practice head(s):

Paul Biggs; Simon Norris; Kaushik Ray


Other key lawyers:

Luke Muchamore; Patrick Leece; Jo Sykes


Testimonials

‘A very responsive team of subject matter experts demonstrating strong commercial advisory capabilities, in addition to tier 1 legal advice.’

‘When it comes to Africa, they really know their stuff and are the go-to firm in that jurisdiction for sponsors and lenders alike.’

‘Paul Biggs – “Mr Ghana” – no other lawyer knows Ghana as well as Paul does. Simon Norris – Commercial and pragmatic, without compromising his client’s risk profile.’

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


  • Providing ongoing assistance to the 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.
  • Provides ongoing advice to Amandi IPP on construction, gas supply and financing matters.
  • Providing ongoing advice to the client in relation to the Cenpower Kpone IPP, the first Ghanaian IPP to reach financial close, on all aspects of ongoing construction and operations, gas supply and financing matters.