That Africa has taken centre stage in the development strategies of many international law firms is undeniable. Arange of appointments and promotions at Allen & Overy, Freshfields, Hogan Lovells, Holman Fenwick Willan and Fieldfisher show continued ionterest in the African legal services market. Norton Rose Fulbright expanding its Africa team with the hire of projects partner, Christophe Asselineau from Shearman & Sterling. In February, Baker & McKenzie hired South African competition partner Nick Altini. The rich vein of African mandates secured by these firms suggest that they are right in making this strategic swift, with Linklaters (working alongside Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie) and Clifford Chance (working alongside Aluko & Oyebode) advising on Seven Energy International’s refinancing deal worth USD 445 million. Linklaters also recently advised a consortium of lenders on the 18-year
financing of a USD 2.6 billion, 1,386 MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired independent power station near the port of Safi in Morocco. Thanks to its Webber Wentzel links, it is also advising the South African government on its 5000MW renewable energy programme.
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