Clifford Chance is considered by many as 'one of the premier advisers in the international projects space' and its prowess is evidenced in Tunisia through its historical involvement in a string of energy and infrastructure matters. The firm's Africa expertise also spans large-scale M&A, finance transactions and private equity. Clients include public, private and state-owned corporates from across the region and beyond. Casablanca-based Mustapha Mourahib co-heads the Africa practice and recently advised Honoris on its partnership with Esprit Group in Tunisia. Paris-based Delphine Siino Courtin focuses on projects throughout Francophone Africa.
Foreign firms in Tunisia
Clifford Chance
Practice head(s):
Mustapha Mourahib; Delphine Siino Courtin; Ouns Lemseffer; Nathalie Zanardo
Testimonials
‘The firm is recognised by the market and its competitors as one of the premier advisers in the international projects space. The firm brings a team of multidisciplinary lawyers, well equipped to deal with transactions across multiple sectors in all the key jurisdictions.’
‘Clients have access to a dedicated team of lawyers with the right balance of specific experience, industry knowledge and legal skills to deliver the best advice for each project and have a proven track record of providing a seamless service across multiple time zones and locations.’
Key clients
TAV Tunisie S.A.
EBRD
Actis
IFC
KfW
African Development Bank
Work highlights
- Advised TAV Tunisia, and its shareholders, on its groundbreaking debt restructuring.
- Advising Honoris on its partnership with the Esprit Group in Tunisia.
Eversheds El Heni (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)
Eversheds El Heni (a member of Eversheds Sutherland)'s Tunis group works hand-in-hand with the firm's own-branded offices, as well as members of the Eversheds Sutherland Africa Alliance, to provide broad coverage of the region. In Tunisia, the team has an established track record in transactional matters, with its recent work spanning M&A, financing deals, restructurings and day-to-day matters. It also handles litigation. Managing partner Farès Koussay El Heni is deputy head of the firm's Africa Group and advises local and international clients on their projects in Tunisia and North Africa. Raouf El Heni is noted for contentious work.
Practice head(s):
Farès Koussay El Heni; Raouf El Heni
Key clients
Infor
ROCHE
Nokia
GE
Emerson
Pathé Gaumont
Deloitte US
RINA
IFC
AFD
BAD
Turkish Airlines
Procovès
Next
BIC
DHL
ENI
Panasonic
Work highlights
- Advised Emerson on a large software corporate and restructuring project in Tunisia.
- Advised General Electric Healthcare on a range of regulatory, corporate, exchange and tax issues in Africa, as well as strategic litigation matters in Tunisia.
- Advised Nokia on employment, commercial and corporate law matters relating to its day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
Herbert Smith Freehills LLP combines its firm-wide strengths in energy, mining and litigation to focus on representing global clients in local transactions, natural resources projects and high-stakes disputes. Led from Paris and London, the North Africa desk also benefits from the expertise of Francophone Africa specialists on the ground in Johannesburg. Paris-based Bertrand Montembault is a projects and energy expert, with a strong reputation for mining and oil and gas-related matters. Energy and arbitration specialist Craig Tevendale, based in London, is noted for multi-jurisdictional disputes involving North Africa.
Practice head(s):
Bertrand Montembault; Craig Tevendale
Linklaters LLP
Linklaters LLP routinely acts for lenders on major finance transactions throughout the region, in line with the firm's signature strength. The team is also a popular choice to advise global clients on local capital markets transactions and corporate matters, including M&A deals, joint ventures and restructurings. From London, Andrew Jones leads the Africa group and is widely recognised for his premier experience in project financings across the continent. Bertrand Andriani co-heads the Francophone Africa desk and brings to bear strong expertise in banking, energy and infrastructure work.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Jones; Bertrand Andriani
Work highlights
- Advised an oil and gas company on distribution, corporate and joint venture arrangements in Tunisia and across various African countries and the Middle East.
- Advised a financial services company on the refinancing of Transcom Holding, a global customer service provider with locations in Tunisia.
- Advised a global mining company on the disposal and internal reorganisation of some of their mining assets in Tunisia.
King & Spalding LLP
King & Spalding LLP is active in Tunisia through its Paris office, which frequently supports international clients on projects and general business law matters in North Africa. The firm is further distinguished by its robust public law offering and it has deep experience in advising on the public law-related aspects of regional project developments. Paris-based Mehdi Haroun
is dual-qualified in France and Algeria and has a focus on project development, M&A and oil and gas as well as dispute resolution. Senior associate Nora Djeraba, also based in Paris, supports on Tunisia-related matters.
Practice head(s):
Mehdi Haroun
Other key lawyers:
Nora Djeraba
Key clients
Anadarko
Panoro Energy
Work highlights
- Advised Panoro Energy on the extension of the Sfax Offshore Permit.
- Advised Anadarko on its Tunisian legal issues, in particular its exit from Tunisia.
Trinity International LLP
Trinity International LLP climbs a tier on the back of a solid year in a challenging market. The boutique firm's project focus translates into a unique practice, which specialises in advising on energy and infrastructure projects in Tunisia and throughout Africa. Power-related mandates are a strong suit and the firm represents sponsors, lenders, governments and equity investors on both renewable and non-renewable power projects. From Paris, Pierre Bernheim and Marianna Sedefian are particularly active in advising sponsors and lenders on project finance transactions.
Practice head(s):
Pierre Bernheim; Marianna Sédéfian
Key clients
Qair International
BIO
ElectriFi (through EDFI Management Company N.V)
Climate Fund Managers
Finance in Motion
EAIF
Scatec
Work highlights
- Advised Scatec as winner of the tender process in Tunisia for 500MW solar photovoltaic projects under the concession scheme, with three solar projects in Tozeur, Sidi Bouzid and Tataouine.
- Acting for Qair in connection with its solar project under the authorisation scheme to be financed by Facility for Energy Inclusion.
- Acting for EAIF in connection with the financing of a solar project under the authorisation scheme developed by Akuo Energy.
Ashurst
Ashurst LLP delivers its Tunisia-based work mainly from its Paris and London offices. The firm is particularly active in representing international developers and operators in local energy projects, but it also advises on corporate transactions, international arbitration, and banking and finance. London-based Yann Alix heads the Africa group and focuses on transactions and projects in the energy, natural resources and infrastructure areas. Projects partner Mark Barges is also noted — he is based in Paris.
Practice head(s):
Yann Alix
Key clients
Schlemmer Group
Work highlights
- Advised the Schlemmer group on the sale of its business operations in Europe and Africa (including Tunisia and Morocco) to Delfingen Industry.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright stands out for its broad energy offering. The firm has advised on a mix of conventional and renewable energy projects across Francophone Africa, including major pathfinder renewables projects in Tunisia. It also handles M&A transactions, joint ventures and banking and finance matters. Paris-based global energy head Anne Lapierre is well regarded for her experience in first-of-a-kind energy projects, with a focus on renewables, carbon transactions and green hydrogen projects. Casablanca-based Alain Malek is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Alain Malek; Anne Lapierre
Key clients
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies of the Government of Tunisia
Work highlights
- Advised the Tunisian Government and GIZ on the implementation of the Tunisian Solar Plan for the production of electricity from renewable energy sources and the 2030 energy strategy.
Shearman & Sterling LLP
Shearman & Sterling LLP has a large footprint in North and Sub-Sahara Africa, where it is consistently engaged by international clients to advise on inbound investment transactions. It also advises local and international governments, development banks and multilaterals on matters throughout the region. Paris-based Lachlan Poustie is a key contact and recently advised the lenders on the €435m restructuring of TAV Airports group’s two concessions in Tunisia. London-based senior associate Jonathan Toffolo is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Lachlan Poustie; Samuel Ogunlaja; Aliahmed Hassanali
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Toffolo
Testimonials
‘Lachlan Poustie and Jonathan Toffolo are extremely responsive and able to meet very tight timelines.’
Key clients
International Finance Corporate (IFC)
African Development Bank,
Deutsche Bank,
European Investment Bank
OPEC Fund for International Development
Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (Proparco)
Standard Bank
Work highlights
- Advised African Development Bank, Deutsche Bank, EIB, IFC, OPEC Fund for International Development, Proparco and Standard Bank on the restructuring of TAV Airports group’s two concessions in Tunisia (at Monastir and Enfidha).