About

Based in: Number of years practice: 39

Principal practice areas: Infrastructure, M&A and private equity,
energy, funds

Languages spoken: French, English

What is the geographical focus of your practice in Africa?

I have been advising private and institutional clients all across the continent. My work includes the advice to the Government of Cameroon on the most significant deals in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. I also advise banks and sponsors on key transactions in Cameroon as well as airport related matters in Togo, a major LNG terminal project in Ivory Coast, the acquisition and development of a solar photovoltaic project at Kopere, Kenya and advice to the Republic of Sierra Leone in connection with the reform of the electricity sector of the country.

More specificially, in West Africa, in Burkina Faso, I advised Vinci Airports in connection with the negotiation of a concession agreement related to the construction and operation of a new airport in Ouagadougou. In Ivory Coast I represented Egis, in connection with the acquisition of shares of Aéria, the concession company of Abidjan Airport, as well as represented the Ivory Coast energy company in connection with various bidding offers for the construction of gas fired power plants.

In Mali, I represent the government of Mali in connection with the first 75 MW hydro project in the region. The concession agreement and the power purchase agreement have been executed and the financing of the project is presently negotiated.

I represented Astris and Tenergie in connection with the development and financing of a 50 MW solar park in Senegal, whilst in Sierra Leone I represented the CDC Group in connection with the reform of the electricity sector in the country.

In my coverage of East Africa, in Zambia I advised CDC Group, through its subsidiary Zambian Transmission LLP, in connection with an offer for all of the ordinary shares in the Zambian company, Copperbelt Energy Corporation, which is listed on the Lusaka Stock Exchange.

Finally, in Cameroon, I represented Actis in the acquisition of the power distribution company of Cameroon. I represent Eneo, the power distribution company of Cameroon, in connection with a project of developing a 420 MW hydroelectric power plant in Nachtigal, South of Cameroon. This project led by a consortium with IFC and EDF, is the largest hydroelectric project in development in Africa. I represent Eneo in connection with the development of a new 400 MW hydroelectric power plant and the associated transport facilities in center Cameroon. This project is led by Platinum Power, an energy fund based in Morocco. Also in Cameroon, I represent Eneo in connection with the extension of its concession and the transfer of its transmission assets back to the government, as well as in connection with the development of a solar project in the north of Cameroon. I also represented Golar in the first floating LNG project in Africa. This large-scale project includes the construction of a floating liquefied natural gas storage and regasification facility in Abidjan’s lagoon, as well as a pipeline to transport the gas to the city’s electric plants. The project is now operational.

Please describe the most important matters you have worked on in the African market in the last two years, including your role and the significance of the matter (if any) to the development of business and law.

During the aforementioned, I was the lead partner on all those deals. A number of those transactions such as Kenie in Mali, Nachtigal in Cameroon or concession airports in various African countries had no precedent.

What differentiates your practice from that of other private practice lawyers?

I advise governments, financial institutions or sponsors in connection with a large range of complex project finance transactions.
By doing so, I have developed a unique expertise apprehending major issues related to this type of transactions. In addition, 20
plus years experience in New York working on greenfield and brownfield project finance transactions in South America has been an
invaluable asset in connection with the development of my practice in Africa. There are few lawyers who have such broad experience covering greenfield projects, as well as M&A transactions and financings.

Why has Africa been a particularly strong focus for you?

Having started my career in New York and spent more than 20 years in the US and Latin America developing greenfield projects, participating in major privatisations, including one of the first airport privatisations on the American continent (the Cancun airport privatisation) and assisting financial institutions in bond and bank financings, I decided when I moved back to Paris, to use my experience acquired in South America to develop business in Africa where I am facing the same type of issues.

What changes have you seen in the appetite for Africa-based ventures and investments over the last five years?

The infrastructure funds are taking a much larger place with large amount of capital available for large projects. Similarly, there is a large increase of solar and mini hydro projects.

Are there any aspects of the African legal market that you would like to see change?

Although the African continent is poised for tremendous growth over the next half-century there are a number of risks that need to be managed. Countries with high and rising twin fiscal and trade deficits remain at risk of currency devaluation. This becomes all the more evident where national debt levels are either rising too rapidly or are already at high levels. Orrick RCI, along with Orrick, work together to provide our clients with the highest level of expertise and service and help them address the upcoming challenges. In terms of legal market, we expect a rise of local law firms with attorneys trained in Europe or the US that will be going back to their countries to develop legal expertise and train lawyers locally.

What megatrends do you think will shape the African market over the coming five years? How (if at all) will these trends affect your practice?

With a population set to double to 2.4 billion by 2050, the continent should expect a major growth in the infrastructure and power sectors. The Orrick Africa team combines the exceptional legal talent across our global network with experienced practitioners on the ground to help our clients – in Africa and worldwide – in leading this transformation.