Rising Stars

Leading firms in Ivory Coast

C.L.K.A.

C.L.K.A. has a strong focus on acting for international clients in a range of mandates across Francophone Africa. The firm has extensive experience in providing advisory services, and is equally adept at handling contentious matters. The practice is led by Lassiney Kathann Camara, who has an excellent reputation for assisting with a wide spectrum of corporate and commercial matters. Eloi Kouakou Yao‘s workload includes public procurement issues. Managing associate Isabelle Niamkey, who leads the litigation team, has particular expertise in insolvency and asset recovery cases.

Practice head(s):

Lassiney Kathann Camara


Other key lawyers:

Eloi Kouakou Yao; Isabelle Niamkey


Testimonials

‘CLKA’s team is highly responsive. Their advice and matter management is technical and practical.’

‘Lassiney Kathann Camara is passionate about his work and always has long term client interests in mind. Plus, he is particularly pleasant to work with.’

‘They are always prompt to address our topics.’

Key clients

ROSETTI MARINO Spa


Nms Infrastructure Uk


Edf Cote D’ivoire


Kgl Group


The Heart Fund


Aggreko


Boluda France


Arla Food Amba


Abb Technology


Entreprise Dossou


Scanning Sytems


Kuyo pipeline


Credit info Volo


Save the Children


SARCI


Bly ci


Work highlights


  • Assisted the Ivorian branch of a French multinational electric utility company with the creation of a joint venture in the Ivory Coast.
  • Advised a prominent client on the company’s reorganization.
  • Advised an Ivorian civil engineering company on the settlement of a dispute with the Ivorian subsidiary of a Malian bank.

ASAFO & CO. RCI

ASAFO & CO. RCI is well known for drawing on the firm's wider network to handle a range of matters across West Africa. The Ivorian team often works in tandem with the Paris and Casablanca offices to assist with mandates in the Ivorian, Senegalese and Sierra Leonean legal markets. Practice co-head Yacouba Coulibaly is a banking and finance specialist, and is advising the Ivorian government on structuring CDC CI Capital, a long-term investment vehicle. Practice co-head Daye Kaba fields extensive expertise in commercial law and corporate finance matters. Didier Boua Doux and Karamoko Fadiga have left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Yacouba Coulibaly; Daye Kaba


Key clients

LBOF Securities International


West African Development Bank (BOAD)


African Development Bank


Government of Côte d’Ivoire


Work highlights


  • Advised the African Development Bank in connection with a €50 million financing package for NSIA Bank.
  • Advised LBOF Securities International on the acquisition of a stake in CGF Bourse.
  • Advised West African Development Bank on implementing and setting up a receivables securitization mutual fund.

Bennani & Associes

Bennani & Associés' Ivorian office leverages the firm's wider presence across the continent, especially in North Africa and Francophone Africa, to provide legal advice to a solid client base of international corporations. The group is also adept at handling financial sector matters within the Ivorian market. Assemian Faustin Kouakou leads the team, and has an excellent reputation for advising international entities on acquisitions of Ivorian businesses, as well as assisting with commercial matters.

Practice head(s):

Assemian Faustin Kouakou


Testimonials

‘Assemian Faustin Kouakou is responsive, smart and reliable. The team works on a very collaborative basis, and speaks both English and French well.’

‘Bennani & Associés is our go-to firm in the Ivory Coast. ’

‘Bennati & Associés, has a great team of legal minds with one of highest expertise in Corporate and M&A deals in Africa.’

‘Assemian Kouakou is knowledgeable, responsive and accurate in his approach. ’

‘The team is extremely responsive, professional, and client-minded. It delivers top-notch advice in a timely fashion.’

‘Assemian Faustin Kouakou is always willing to assist, extremely responsive and easy to work with.’

Key clients

Argus France


Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronof LLP


China Gezhouba Group International Engineering Co, Ltd


CGIAR System Organization (Africa Rice)


CFAO Group


Engie Group


JUMIA Group


Ovex Pty (Ltd)


Paystack


Salama – Islamic Arab Insurance Company PSC


United Bank For Africa Plc (Nigeria)


Vivo Energy plc


GNA Assurances Ivory Coast


FINAFRICA (Duval Group)


New Digital Africa


Work highlights


  • Advising French multinational conglomerate CFAO Group on its acquisition of five Leader Price stores in Abidjan.
  • Advising German multinational automotive group Volkswagen AG on data protection issues concerning radio equipment and user manuals in its cars.
  • Advising Duval Group on its acquisition of Senegal-based microfinance company Crédit Solidaire d’Afrique.

Soro, Bako & Associés

Soro, Bako & Associés provides advice to clients across Francophone Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso and Senegal, on a wide range of matters, and counts restructuring work as a key pillar of strength. The team has also been kept busy handling acquisitions and litigation in the construction and transport sectors. Adama Soro focuses on infrastructure and energy law issues; he co-heads the practice with Athanase Bako, who brings expertise in commercial and maritime transport law, as well as advising on customs litigation.

Practice head(s):

Adam Soro; Athanase Bako


Testimonials

‘Soro & Bako Law Firm’s consultations are clear and precise. The firm’s network throughout Africa is very useful.’

Key clients

Acome


Stib


Dso


Sanlam


Barold Assurances


Unacoopec


Sme


Mri


Sgtci


Elite Service


Work highlights


  • Acting for a company operating rail transportation between Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso in a contractual dispute.
  • Advising a large African insurance company on debt recovery proceedings and commercial dispute resolution matters.
  • Advising an Ivorian petroleum company on a public procurement matter.

ADNA

ADNA's Ivorian office draws on the firm's presence across North Africa to advise financial institutions and corporations on investments in the domestic market, as well as more broadly in areas across the OHADA region. Recent work for the group includes assisting NAS Ivoire Holdings with its IPO and listing on the WAMU Regional Stock Exchange. The team is led by Sydney Domoraud, who specialises in handling corporate and financial transactions in the energy, mining, and infrastructure sectors.

Practice head(s):

Sydney Domoraud


Testimonials

‘Sydney Domoraud and ADNA are a solution-driven and business-oriented team that makes the client feel safe.’

‘Sydney Domoraud is available, reliable and proactive.’

Key clients

Sanlam Group


Cofina Group


NAS Ivoire Holding


HC Capital Properties


Banque National D’investissements (BNI) and Acquisition Consortium


Karpowership


NAS Ivoire


Raxio – Group BV


Wave Mobile Money


Zipline Inc


Work highlights


  • Advised Sanlam Group on a merger of its insurance activities in Africa with those of Allianz.
  • Advised NAS Ivoire Holding on its IPO and listing on the WAMU Regional Stock Exchange.