IFLR1000′s recent research into the energy and infrastructure markets shows Bowman Gilfillan Africa Firm (BGAG) being highly ranked across Africa reaffirming the firm’s position as a leading pan-African legal services provider to corporates, financial institutions and the public sector across Africa.
The firm’s office in South Africa, Bowman Gilfillan, ranked Tier 1 for Energy and Tier 2 for Infrastructure while their offices in Madagascar (John W Ffooks) and Uganda (AF Mpanga) ranked Tier 1 for both. In addition, their Kenya (Coulson Harney) and Botswana (Bookbinder Business Law) offices ranked Tier 2, while Tanzania (East Africa Law Chambers) ranked Tier 4. Further to this, Bowman Gilfillan ranked Tier 2 in both Oil & Gas and Mining with Kenya ranking Tier 1 in Mining.
IFLR1000 recognised BGAG’s extensive energy and infrastructure offering with the firm being at the centre of energy developments in South Africa and most active in coal and renewable energy projects. Several lawyers across BGAG were acknowledged as leading lawyers including Junaid Banoobhai, Anton Barnes-Webb, Ezra Davids, Patrick Hirsch, Jonathan Lang, Rob Legh, Rob Morson, Claire Tucker, Daryn Webb, Charles Young, Philip Coulson, Rainbow Field, Richard Harney, Paras Shah, John Ffooks, David Mpanga and Jeffrey Bookbinder with Daniella Zussa being named a Rising Star.
“It is very rewarding to once again be recognised for our ongoing commitment to offering quality legal services to our clients throughout Africa,” said Charles Young, head of Mining. “We are very proud to play key roles in substantial deals that make a difference and give us the opportunity to showcase our extensive levels of expertise”.
During 2014 the firm was most active on coal and renewable energy projects. Notable work mentions included advising the Department of Energy on the third round of the REIPPPP, and being appointed to advise on the Baseload and Co-generation IPP programmes. “We were very pleased to be advising the Department of Energy in these complex programmes, which have achieved international acclaim, and are now a reference point for independent private power world-wide,” said Daryn Webb, head of Project Finance. The firm have also been assisting energy utility Eskom on all aspects of its two new flagship coal-fired power plants: the 4,800 MW Medupi Power Plant and 4,800 MW Kusile Power Plant.
In addition, BGAG continues to advise the private sector in numerous solar, wind and small hydro projects, as well as in notable infrastructure, and oil and gas deals across Africa.