SCPA SYSS Avocats

SYSS AVOCATS is recognised as one of Senegal’s leading independent business law firms, with more than three decades of experience advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, sovereign entities, and international investors across Senegal and the OHADA region. The firm has developed a strong reputation for delivering high-level, business-oriented legal advice in corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, dispute resolution, project finance, public-private partnerships (PPPs), energy, infrastructure, and cross-border transactions.

Combining technical excellence with strong commercial insight, SYSS Avocats regularly advises on sophisticated matters involving foreign direct investment, regulatory structuring, financing arrangements, and multi-jurisdictional operations throughout Francophone West Africa. The firm is particularly recognised for its ability to provide practical, partner-led support aligned with international standards while maintaining deep knowledge of the local regulatory and institutional environment. Reflecting its longstanding commitment to quality and operational excellence, SYSS Avocats was among the first law firms in Francophone West Africa to obtain ISO 9001 certification.

The firm underwent a strategic reorganisation in 2021, reinforcing its governance structure and expanding its partnership with the integration of a next-generation partner bringing significant institutional and transactional experience. This evolution further strengthened the firm’s positioning as a modern, internationally oriented practice handling sophisticated domestic and cross-border mandates for both private and public-sector clients.

SYSS Avocats remains particularly active in banking and finance, sovereign-backed transactions, infrastructure development, and energy projects across the UEMOA region. The firm is regularly instructed on complex financing and strategic investment matters, including aviation financing transactions involving Air Sénégal, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and First Security Bank. The practice also advises on regulatory, transactional, and structuring matters relating to major infrastructure and development projects across the region.

The firm acts for a prestigious portfolio of international and regional clients operating in sectors including financial services, technology, telecommunications, healthcare, hospitality, and energy. Recent engagements include advising Google on employment and compliance matters, providing ongoing legal support to Petrosen and its subsidiaries in the upstream and midstream energy sectors, assisting Philip Morris on regulatory and intellectual property matters, and advising IFC and SOCOM in connection with major project financing transactions. The firm also regularly advises international groups including Microsoft, Ericsson, Sanofi and Club Med on commercial agreements, labour and employment matters, regulatory compliance, and intellectual property issues.

Alongside its transactional capabilities, SYSS Avocats is also recognised for its strong litigation and dispute resolution practice, representing multinational companies, financial institutions, and public entities before Senegalese courts and regional jurisdictions in commercially sensitive disputes.

With its combination of deep local expertise, regional OHADA capability, international standards, and commercially driven approach, SYSS Avocats remains a trusted adviser to multinational corporations, investors, financial institutions, and public-sector stakeholders operating in Senegal and across Francophone West Africa.