Pinsent Masons in Africa

Transcription

1 Pinsent Masons in Africa

2 Introduction to Africa Pinsent Masons pan-african experience spans more than 40 countries and goes back over 40 years. Over time, we have built up a depth of experience on key political, economic, commercial and regulatory issues across the region and nations which make up this diverse continent. Africa is home to many of the world s emerging and fastest growing infrastructure markets. Investment in the continent s infrastructure is critical to its continued growth. Crucial drivers to infrastructure growth such as population growth and increasing urbanisation are in abundance in Africa, presenting an attractive prospect for all those with an interest in the lifecycle of complex and critical infrastructure assets. Our strategy is to invest in geographies that connect our clients to where they want to do business. As the world s leading infrastructure law firm, Africa is a key market for our services. In 2017 we established an office in Johannesburg as the important next stage in the development of a fully integrated global African practice, connecting with our African hubs in the UK, France, UAE and China. Our international experience is now combined with a specialist infrastructure presence on the continent in a prime and well connected location. Whether you are already established in Africa and looking to expand, or entering the market for the first time, we can help you achieve success.

3 Compliance & Regulation Investment/M&A Dispute Refinance Tax Change Pinsent Masons In Africa Strength in depth Our Africa practice consists of around 50 partners and more than 150 lawyers from common law and civil law cultures, who understand the different legal jurisdictions and languages across this diverse continent. We are well placed to support you in the delivery of your infrastructure strategy across the continent. We provide an entire project lifecycle service, supporting those who have a hand in designing, building, delivering, supplying, operating or maintaining Africa s major infrastructure assets. South Africa is a hub for many international businesses and our Johannesburg team offers access to a wealth of legal support and talent offering transactional, advisory and contentious expertise, combining with colleagues elsewhere across our international footprint. Our experience is combined with a network of first rate law firms across the region allowing us to provide you with continuity of service and local advice across the continent, including political risk, market entry strategies, market due diligence, and business intelligence in Africa. We provide a fully integrated service where we take responsibility for the production and delivery of legal advice as well as transparent cost reporting to manage cost-overruns and negotiate favourable fee structures. We maintain non-exclusivity in order to select specialist counsel in any given jurisdiction. Supporting the delivery of Africa s Infrastructure Pinsent Masons is a sector based law firm. We specialise in the Infrastructure Sector including economic, energy and technology infrastructure, combining legal excellence with commercial experience and an enviable global network. Our experience spans the whole range of infrastructure, including energy, transportation, agriculture, mining & minerals, telecommunications & media, banking, finance & investment funds and manufacturing. Divestment/ Acquisition Operation STRATEGY Pinsent Masons Working with you for the whole asset life Structuring Procurement 03 Implementation Financing

4 04 Infrastructure Many of Africa s regional economies will continue to benefit from sustained global demand for oil, natural gas, mineral resources and arable land, both enabling and requiring governments to focus on increased infrastructure investment into the region. Widespread development of social and physical infrastructure is critical to Africa s growth. We have the largest single team of infrastructure specialists operating globally. We work with all participants in the infrastructure sector including major contractors, delivery partners, funders, investors, owners and operators. Our team has within it the broad range of skills required by the African infrastructure sector to enable projects to be bankable and sustainable. Our experience includes: Advising Government of South Africa on the pathfinder Gautrain project, an 80km mass rapid transit railway system which links Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport, and the largest PPP launched in South Africa. Supporting projects for Eskom s new build programme to expand South Africa s generation and transmission capacity to meet the country s growing demand for energy. Providing commercial and strategic advice, procurement advice and the drafting and negotiation of the EPC Contract for the Gigawatt Ressano Garcia 100MW Gas Fired Power Station Project in Mozambique. Advising on the full procurement and execution stages of Xtrata s Tweefontein Mine Optimisation Project in South Africa. Advising Kenya Urban Roads Agency in respect of the Second Nyali Bridge PPP. This is the first PPP of a 47-PPP programme being rolled out by the Kenyan Government. Providing commercial, strategic and procurement advice, including drafting and negotiation of the EPC and Design and Build contracts for Afrisam s Tanga Cement Factory Expansion in Tanzania.

5 Energy With rising global energy demand, Africa s energy & natural resources industries will continue to prosper, whilst undergoing change with the privatisation of utilities and the development of renewable energy resources. Our expertise dates back decades to our role advising governments on the privatisation of the power industry and on the development of energy market institutions and frameworks. We have built an international practice which spans the entire spectrum of the energy industry. Our clients range from oil supermajors and utilities to independent developers, equipment suppliers and financiers. As industry experts we have a track record of providing strategic consultation and commercial advice on energy projects. We work with clients on major oil and gas, power, water and wastewater, utilities, renewable energy, clean development mechanism issues, nuclear and pipeline projects. The region is also a major producer of several of the world s most important minerals and metals, and has seen the opening and development of major new mines including in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania and Gabon. Our lawyers advise across the full mining lifecycle, from investment and funding, to exploration, development, operations and closure. We have extensive knowledge of mining legislation in a number of key jurisdictions across the region. We regularly provide pro bono policy advice to many of the region s mineral producing governments. Our experience includes: Advising Dangote on the development of Africa s biggest petroleum refinery and petrochemical plant in Nigeria. Advising Oriental Energy Resources on the fallout from the $1.5bn collapse of Afren plc, advising on complex multi-stakeholder renegotiations in a challenging environment. Advising a consortium of Nigerian, Cameroonian, Korean and Chinese investors on the development and construction of a $400m 400km refined fuel pipeline in Cameroon. Advising EnQuest plc on the $250m acquisition of PA Resources petroleum assets offshore Tunisia and the subsequent unwinding of the transaction in the context of the oil price crash. Advising a consortium of major oil companies in connection with the development of the infrastructure necessary to extract, process, transport and export oil from fields in southern Sudan. Advising Jagal Group in the successful negotiation of numerous local content joint ventures in Nigeria including a joint venture with Subsea 7, named NigerStar 7, to enable oil companies to execute high value EPIC projects in Nigeria. 05

6 06 Technology Increased foreign investments are being made into the region s growing telecommunications sector. In many countries, the sector is starting from a low base level. The opportunities for innovation and growth are huge. We are rated among the strongest technology law firms internationally. The increasing interface between technology and infrastructure means that our infrastructure, energy and technology teams work together in delivering integrated solutions for our clients. As a leader in the field, particularly in relation to Cloud Computing, it is our job to stay on top of these opportunities and challenges, helping our clients stay ahead of the market. Our specialist telecoms, media and technology team acts in the full range of commercial and regulatory issues associated with TMT work and projects. We advise both private and public sector clients including operators, vendors, service providers, suppliers, property developers, governments and regulators, non-governmental organisations, users and customers. Our experience includes: Representing South Africa s three largest mobile and data providers in disputes with contractors related to a joint country wide fibre optic installation project. Advising on the acquisition and subsequent disposal of an African telecom company that operated in six African countries for Monaco Telecom International, subsidiary of Cable & Wireless. Conducting a regulatory survey with several regulations authorities to ensure the feasibility and requirement for a number of clients including the provision of VoIP services for Skype and the allocation of dedicated encrypted servers for Facebook in several African jurisdictions. Drafting new regulations related to the interconnection rates, consultation on the good practices in sub-saharan Africa and implementation of a cahier des charges with the regulation authority for PriceWaterhouseCoopers Rwanda Services.

7 About Pinsent Masons Our values of Approachable, Bold and Connected are integral to everything that we do. Personally and collectively, we live them everyday and our firm is a better place for it. We know that our culture sets us apart, and is at the heart of our success as a leading international law firm. Supporting transformation and responsible business As a people business we promote a working environment that is sensitive to the needs of all. We ensure equal opportunities in relation to work, recruitment, promotion and remuneration. We are committed to the transformation of economies so that they are fully representative of racial, gender, cultural and religious diversity. Our commitment to behaving responsibly is at our core and it extends to everything we do, and with everyone with whom we interact. We aim to create an inclusive working environment in which all our people feel free to be themselves, and we have a long-term commitment to inspiring young lives in local communities. Innovation We have an award winning track record for innovation. We re always looking for new ways to use our expertise, knowledge and technology. We innovate and think beyond conventions to find lateral solutions. We share our clients objectives and align with their strategies to develop these solutions and bring a new approach to market. In 2015 we were named most innovative law firm in Europe by the Financial Times, and highly commended in Innovation is a critical factor in being named Law firm of the year by both Legal Week and Legal Business. Further information about our innovations can be found at Global Reach We are organised and resourced so that wherever our clients commercial demands take them, we have the footprint and expertise to work with them. We deliver a strong local presence from our global network of offices with an excellent understanding of the market. We have a strong preferred law firms network when local legal advice is required. Europe Our firm s origins in Europe date back to 1769, giving us an in-depth local knowledge and understanding of the markets. We offer the full range of services you would expect from an international law firm in our 14 European locations. Asia Pacific Asia Pacific has been a focus of the firm s international strategy for more than 30 years, beginning with the opening of our Hong Kong office in Our 7 locations currently consist of Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Middle East From our offices in UAE and Qatar, as well as alongside our associated law firm Alsabhan & Alajaji in Saudi Arabia, we have supported the wider Middle East region for over 30 years. We have an alliance network with local law firms ensuring we have the local knowledge and expertise to support client working across the entire region. Africa Our African experience spans more than 40 countries over 30 years. In 2017 we opened an office in South Africa. We have acted on numerous projects across Africa including construction, infrastructure, energy, oil & gas and mining projects. In recent years, we have advised clients in countries including Nigeria, Botswana, South Africa, Libya, Algeria, Egypt, Tanzania and DR Congo. Americas We have a long-term commitment to the Americas, with dedicated teams of lawyers who are experienced in supporting international clients on working throughout the USA, Canada and South America. Our deep working relationships with local law firms and trusted advisers enable us to act as a commercial partner. 07

8 This note does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken before acting on any of the topics covered. Pinsent Masons, the trading name of both Pinsent Masons South Africa Inc (registered with the Law Society of Northern Provinces: registered number F17331) and Pinsent Masons Africa LLP (a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC413013) and also registered with the Companies and Intellectual Properties Commission (registered number: 16/460652/10). Both entities have their place of business at: 61 Katherine Street, Sandton 2196 Gauteng, South Africa. Both Pinsent Masons South Africa Inc and Pinsent Masons Africa LLP are affiliated entities of Pinsent Masons LLP, a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales (registered number: OC333653). A list of the respective directors and partners of both entities and their professional qualifications may be inspected at the aforementioned address which is the registered office of Pinsent Masons Inc. and at Pinsent Masons head office: 30 Crown Place, London EC2A 4ES, United Kingdom. We use Pinsent Masons to refer to Pinsent Masons LLP and affiliated entities that practise under the name Pinsent Masons or a name that incorporates those words. Pinsent Masons For a full list of the jurisdictions where we operate, see