Africa

A pioneer in all the global markets in which we practice, Cleary Gottlieb has handled transactions in Africa and represented clients based in the region for several decades.

One of the first international firms to work in the region, we offer our clients decades of experience and a practical knowledge of local business custom. Primarily through our Paris and London offices, the firm has led a number of high-profile deals in some of Africa’s key industry growth sectors, particularly energy, telecommunications and industrial projects. We regularly handle complex and novel transactions across the full range of practice areas, and have experience in over 30 African countries. 

We assist clients who are based in Africa as well as those who are seeking to make strategic and other investments in the region, a segment that has been increasing in recent years. We represent governments, state-owned entities, public and private corporations, private equity and leveraged-buyout firms, institutional and private investors, as well as banks and financial advisors in areas including project finance, capital markets, sovereign debt restructurings and issuances, privatizations, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity, corporate restructurings and international arbitration.

In recognition of the firm’s solid experience with the continent, Cleary was engaged by the World Bank and the OHADA Permanent Secretariat to lead the group of experts in charge of the reform and modernization of OHADA corporate law. Using our own experience advising private investors in the region, we have worked with various local counsel to evaluate and improve corporate law practice in the 17 member countries.