Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group (BGAG) has announced its intention, subject to regulatory approval, to merge with, John W Ffooks & Co (JWF) with effect from 1 March 2014, increasing the number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa in which it has offices to seven.

JWF advises on Malagassy and OHADA law (the common commercial codes of 17 francophone African countries). The firm was founded, and continues to be led, by John Ffooks, and has built a strong reputation in providing due diligence and local law and regulatory support services to international law firms and corporate in francophone Africa.

In line with Bowman Gilfillan’s growth strategy in Africa, the tie-up with JWF strengthens its capabilities, which focus on providing integrated, cross-border legal services of the highest standard to clients throughout Africa.

Jonathan Lang, Head of Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group, commented that the addition of JWF offers the capability of the group to provide coverage in francophone African countries and brings 15 bilingual English/French lawyers into the group. 

“It is a great pleasure to announce our intention for JWF to become part of BGAG.

“We already have a strong African presence and capability via 400 lawyers in offices in Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Kampala, Nairobi and Gaborone. In addition, our relationship firm in Nigeria, Udo Udoma & Bela-Osagie, has offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. This allows us to advise clients across Africa, whether on a single country or a multi-jurisdictional basis,” said Lang.

"My team and I are delighted to be joining BGAG. The group has established a very strong reputation across Africa and we share its vision of being the leading pan-African legal practice," said Ffooks.

Lang said that BGAG would continue to look for further opportunities to grow as a pan-African legal services group providing top end, integrated legal advice to businesses, financial institutions and the public sector throughout Africa.