Leading firms in Ivory Coast

Bilé-Aka, Brizoua-Bi & Associés

Bilé-Aka, Brizoua-Bi & Associés is one of Ivory Coast's most prestigious law firms, operating in the corporate, finance, projects and disputes fields, among others. It has two highly rated practitioners in Joachim Bilé-Aka and Michel Brizoua-Bi, the former a top disputes specialist and the latter a leading name in corporate and finance, including project finance. The firm is highly rated by the international legal community and is active in cross-border matters involving the Organisation pour l'Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (OHADA) region.

SCPA DOGUE - Abbé YAO & Associés

SCPA DOGUE - Abbé YAO & Associés has notable strength in transactions and disputes, along with related services. The firm has achieved further prominence in projects and project finance, while continuing to impress in corporate and M&A, banking and finance, tax and employment matters. Seydou Zerbo is at the forefront of projects and energy engagements, including those in the oil and gas space. Abbé Yao is a leader in litigation and arbitration, while remaining a force in corporate transactions.

FDKA

FDKA has a strong national and international profile. The firm is routinely engaged by international law firms for energy and infrastructure projects, including PPP projects. It has an extensive record in cross-border transactions, especially those involving OHADA nations. Karim Fadika is one of the premier names in the market, bridging local expertise and experience with an international style of advice. Mahoua Fadika Delafosse and Colette Kacoutie  are other key practitioners.

Cabinet Hoegah & Etté

Cabinet Hoegah & Etté is a top firm in the energy, mining and infrastructure projects space. Allied to these notable strengths, the firm is equally prominent in disputes, and provides a fully rounded presence in corporate and M&A, finance, employment and tax. Theodore Hoegah is rated for PPP matters and general projects; he is also considered a leading tax practitioner. Michel Etté  is at the forefront of the disputes field.

Cabinet Jean-François Chauveau

Cabinet Jean-François Chauveau is at the forefront of energy and infrastructure projects, along with PPP engagements. It has an excellent standing in the local and OHADA markets, while being well plugged into the international legal market, especially in Paris. Corporate and M&A is another principal forte for the firm. Jean-Francois Chauveau is highly regarded.

KSK Société d'Avocats

KSK Société d'Avocats has made considerable headway in the market over recent years. Feted for its public law and PPP expertise, it is also at the forefront of general energy, mining and transport infrastructure projects. The firm is further noted for its expertise in M&A and corporate restructurings. Georges Angaman Kouadio  is rated for M&A, corporate restructurings, tax and mining matters. Zinda Sawadogo is a key name for project finance and PPPs, while Kouamé Klemet is a public law expert and has an excellent record in the energy sector.

IKT & Associés

IKT & Associés is a highly regarded force in the broader banking and finance sphere, thanks to its close connections to local and international lenders, including development finance institutions. Corporate finance, project finance and PPPs are central to the firm's standing. M&A, tax, employment, IP and disputes are also key components of the firm's practice. Osther Henri Tella is the key partner, along with Annick Imboua-Niava and Hermann Kouao.

Anyray & Partners

Anyray & Partners has an extensive presence in the Ivory Coast and across the OHADA region. Focused primarily on corporate and tax matters, Raymond Any-Gbayere  is an experienced figure in the market and has strong connections to local and international corporates.

ASAFO & CO. RCI

ASAFO & CO. RCI was established in 2019 as a spin-off from Orrick RCI. The new Ivory Coast office is part of a wider firm that has additional offices in Paris, Casablanca and Johannesburg. The Abidjan team covers French, Ohada and Chinese law. Yacouba Coulibaly is noted for energy and infrastructure, and banking and finance transactions. Karamoko Fadiga is noted for securitisation and capital markets. Patricia Amand, who is recognised for TMT matters, left the firm in January 2020 to join P2A Assistance & Conseil.

Practice head(s):

Yacouba Coulibaly; Karamoko Fadiga

Work highlights

  • Advised the lenders on the establishment and negotiation of a credit facility to refinance the short-term debt of the electricity sector in Ivory Coast, in particular the debt of CI-Energies.
  • Advised Starenergie 2073 on the negotiation with the government of Ivory Coast regarding an amendment to the concession agreement for the conception, financing, construction and operation of a 372MW thermal power plant; this is one of the largest projects currently under negotiation in Ivory Coast.
  • Assisted Caterpillar Financial UK with the financing of Caterpillar-branded professional equipment for west African companies.

C.L.K.A.

C.L.K.A. offers expertise across multiple disciplines. It has a strong record in domestic and cross-border deals, especially within OHADA nations. Lassiney Kathann Camara is rated for corporate and tax matters.

Houda Law Firm

Houda Law Firm is headquartered in Senegal, but operates from the Ivory Coast through its ofice in Abidjan. It is now considered a strong force across West Africa and stands out for its OHADA law experience and expertise. The firm is well connected to the international legal market and in Khaled Abou El Houda, it has a senior practitioner with extensive regional connections, including among the key banks.

LEX WAYS

LEX WAYS is highly rated for disputes, including commercial, employment and tax litigation. Beyond this, the firm is recognised for its genuine full-service approach, which covers corporate, finance, IP, employment and tax, among other disciplines. Diomande Soualiho Lassomann is a prominent name in litigation and arbitration, while Ibrahima Bah is noted for corporate transactions and financing.