Rising Stars

Foreign law firms in Mozambique

Clifford Chance LLP

Clifford Chance LLP primarily handles inbound transactions for a diverse client base, including commercial and development banks, private equity funds, and public institutions, as well as industrial conglomerates, energy and oil and gas companies, and construction firms. Leading the Mozambique practice are Gibbs Johnson, a Dubai-based consultant, and Russell Wells, located in London. Johnson is an expert in energy and infrastructure project finance, particularly in Mozambique’s electricity sector, while Wells spearheads the firm’s global energy and resources sector group, bringing extensive experience in commercial, corporate, and finance matters within the oil and gas and power industries. Delphine Siino Courtin, stationed in Paris, is an expert in renewable energy and infrastructure, and is adept at representing lenders in Mozambican solar projects.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gibbs Johnson; Russell Wells


Autres avocats clés:

Delphine Siino Courtin


Les références

‘This is a star energy and infrastructure team.’

‘They work well as a team.’

Principaux clients

DFC


Agence Française de Développement


EDF


TotalEnergies


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Central Termica de Temane


Azura Power


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising AFD – Agence Française de Développement as partial risk guarantor on its first political risk guarantees in respect of a solar project in Mozambique.
  • Advising US-DFC in connection with a solar power project in the Niassa province of Mozambique.
  • Advised a bidding consortium on the Mphanda Nkuwa hydropower project, a 1,500 MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric facility proposed to be built on the Zambezi River.

Miranda & Associados

Miranda & Associados, along with the Miranda Alliance, is renowned for advising global investors on their investment projects and transactions in Mozambique, actively participating in sectors such as oil and gas, energy, mining, and banking. Co-headed by Diogo Xavier Da Cunha and Paulo Pimenta, who also serves as the managing partner of Maputo-based Pimenta e Associados, the group specialises in corporate, energy, and natural resources matters. Nuno Cabeçadas offers expertise in projects, banking, and finance, while Sofia Martins, who is recognised as ‘an incredible talent and a superb advocate’, focuses on litigation and arbitration, significantly enhancing the team’s capabilities in addressing complex legal challenges.

Responsables de la pratique:

Diogo Xavier da Cunha; Paulo Pimenta


Autres avocats clés:

Nuno Cabeçadas; Sofia Martins


Les références

‘Sofia Martins is a star – her knowledge of the law is superb, and she is a master at cross-examination. She is an incredible talent and a superb advocate.’

‘They are agile, competent, and always focus on finding solutions.’

‘Very agile and responsible.’

Principaux clients

Total Exploration and Production Moçambique Area 1, Lda (previously named Anadarko Exploration and Production Area 1, Limitada)


Gemrock Company Limited & Gemrock Mozambique Limitada


Total Outre Mer & TotalEnergies Marketing Total Moçambique, SA


Azura Power


Globeleq


Maputo Port Development Company


International Finance Corporation


Patel Engineering


Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados

Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados, which is adept at managing both inbound and outbound investments into Lusophone Africa, caters to a broad client base that includes public and private corporations, governments, and financial institutions. Renowned for its expertise in project development and finance, capital markets, and a wide range of corporate activities, the team is led by André de Sousa Vieira and Claudia Santos Cruz. De Sousa Vieira, now stationed in the firm’s new Singapore office, brings extensive experience in international project finance, especially in the energy, resources, and infrastructure spaces, representing lenders, sponsors, and governments. Meanwhile, Santos Cruz focuses on aiding clients with international and cross-border investments in Mozambique and other Lusophone African regions.

Responsables de la pratique:

André de Sousa Vieira; Claudia Santos Cruz


Les références

‘They are very commercial and provide extremely high-quality advice.’

‘André de Sousa Vieira has an excellent appreciation of the requirements of the international market and combines that expertise with a first-class understanding of Portuguese law. This is particularly useful in jurisdictions such as Angola and Mozambique.’

PLMJ

PLMJ effectively supports domestic and international clients in their Mozambique-based ventures and represents Mozambican clients in investments across other Lusophone jurisdictions. Active in the oil and gas, energy, natural resources and construction sectors, the firm offers a wide range of expertise spanning cross-border M&A, tax, and foreign investment, as well as currency exchange legislation, projects, and arbitration. Leading the Africa team are Gonçalo dos Reis Martins and Inês Pinto da Costa. Martins, who has significant banking and finance sector expertise, advises international and local banks, financial institutions, and asset managers. Pinto da Costa specialises in corporate M&A and has substantial experience in Mozambican infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects. Marta Pedro contributes wide-ranging knowledge of real estate, tourism, and corporate transactions within the country.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gonçalo dos Reis Martins; Inês Pinto da Costa


Autres avocats clés:

Marta Pedro; Nuno Morgado Pereira


Principaux clients

Galp Energia


GIMTL


Bharat Petro Resources Limited


Standard Bank South Africa


Banco Internacional de Moçambique


FNB Moçambique


Banco Société Générale Moçambique


Banco Único


Standard Bank Mozambique


Revolut


African Import-Export Bank


Cummins Mozambique


Multichoice Africa


Nedbank


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Galp Energia on a USD 36 million project finance facility for GIMTL, granted by Banco Internacional de Moçambique, S.A., for constructing and operating a hydrocarbon storage and handling terminal in Matola.
  • Advised the concessionaires (Bharat Petroleum Corporation and Oil India Limited) of Area 1 of the Rovuma LNG project on a landmark USD 20 billion restructuring financing.
  • Advised Standard Bank Mozambique on various banking matters under Mozambican law, including recently representing the client in providing USD 200 million in term and revolving credit facilities to Vodacom Moçambique, S.A.

VdA

With an ‘exceptional combination of legal expertise and cultural fluency’, VdA’s Mozambique practice specialises in the areas of oil and gas, energy, infrastructure, and banking. Collaborating closely with its local partner firm GDA Advogados, the group provides wide-ranging legal expertise, spanning regulatory, corporate, tax, licensing, and employment issues. Teresa Empis Falcão concentrates on infrastructure and mobility matters, with a robust background in national and international project finance and capital markets transactions. She leads the team with José Miguel Oliveira, who is highly experienced in the transport, oil and gas, and energy spaces.

Responsables de la pratique:

José Miguel Oliveira; Teresa Empis Falcão


Autres avocats clés:

Manuel Protásio; Magda Cocco


Les références

‘VdA stands out for its exceptional combination of legal expertise and cultural fluency, making it an invaluable partner for clients navigating complex international matters.’

‘The individuals at VdA truly set the firm apart in terms of their depth of knowledge, dedication, and client engagement.’

Principaux clients

Standard Bank of South Africa


Mota- Engil, Engenharia e Construção África, S.A. (Mota-Engil África)


Exor Petroleum


Puma Energy Moçambique, Limitada


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Standard Bank of South Africa, serving as lead arranger and bookrunner, on all Mozambican law matters related to the refinancing and syndication of debt for Grit Real Estate Income Group Limited.
  • Advised Mota-Engil África on a public tender for a concession under a public-private partnership regime, encompassing the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of toll motorways in Mozambique.
  • Advised Puma Energy Moçambique on a transaction involving the carve-out of seven BP aviation fuel business units, transitioning from a sole entity fully owned by BP’s Group to Puma (BP Aviation), and the acquisition of BP’s entire share capital in a joint venture Mozambican entity.

Abreu Advogados

Abreu Advogados excels in sectors such as energy, aviation, infrastructure, natural resources, and financial markets. The firm’s diverse experience includes advising on oil and gas logistics platform concessions and retail real estate projects, as well as providing litigation and debt collection support to major domestic banking clients. Ana Sofia Batista and José Maria Corrêa De Sampaio lead the team from Lisbon, alongside Zara Jamal, who manages local partner firm JLA ADVOGADOS in Maputo. Batista is adept at M&A negotiations, including private equity transactions, while Jamal specialises in project and energy financing, real estate, and banking. Manuel Santos Vítor handles M&A deals across the energy, natural resources, and leisure spaces, and Isabel Pinheiro Torres contributes banking and finance expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ana Sofia Batista; José Maria Corrêa de Sampaio; Zara Jamal


Autres avocats clés:

Manuel Santos Vítor; Diogo Pereira Duarte; Isabel Pinheiro Torres


Les références

‘The lawyers at Abreu Advogados and JLA Advogados are highly capable and masters in their fields of expertise. Together, Abreu and JLA have an outstanding capability to provide multi-disciplinary solutions.’

‘The core members of the Abreu and JLA team are Isabel Pinheiro Torres and Zara Jamal. They work seamlessly together from Portugal and Mozambique.’

Principaux clients

IDC – Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa


Limak Cimentos


Painhas Group


Portucel Mozambique


TOTAL


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the French Development Agency on a financing operation for Hidroelétrica de Cahora Bassa S.A., the company operating the Cahora Bassa Dam hydroelectric power plant in Mozambique.
  • Advised the senior creditors, including export credit agencies and the Africa Development Bank (AfDB), on the financing and development of the Area 1 LNG project in Mozambique.
  • Advised Portucel Mozambique on establishing forestry plantations for industrial and commercial exploitation.

Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy LLP provides services to both borrowing and lending parties, with the Lusophone desk co-led by Tim Scales in London, Scott Neilson in Tokyo, Ian Ingram-Johnson in Dubai, and Alessandra Pardini in Johannesburg. Ingram-Johnson offers assistance to a wide array of clients, such as project sponsors, financial institutions, governmental entities, and project companies, in industries including power, oil and gas, and infrastructure, as well as transportation, mining, and metal. Meanwhile, Neilson contributes extensive expertise in the LNG, oil and gas, energy, and infrastructure sectors.

Responsables de la pratique:

Tim Scales; Scott Neilson; Ian Ingram-Johnson; Alessandra Pardini


Autres avocats clés:

Filipa Serra


Principaux clients

Raxio


The Africa Foundation Trust


Country Bird Holdings Proprietary Limited


The lenders on the Rovuma LNG Project


The lenders to the Coral South FLNG Project


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted as lenders’ counsel in connection with the Area 4 Rovuma LNG project.
  • Advised the export credit agencies and lenders on the development and financing of the approximately USD8bn Coral South FLNG project located in the Area 4 of the Coral South Offshore Basin.
  • Provided pro bono legal advice on the Africa Foundation Trust’s establishment as a foreign NGO and on its operations in Mozambique.

Mayer Brown

Mayer Brown, which draws on a team of lawyers situated in Brazil, London, and Houston, is renowned for its expertise in oil and gas, mining, construction, and heavy industries. The group’s wide-ranging expertise includes the regulatory aspects of Mozambican energy projects, infrastructure agreements, joint ventures between foreign investors and domestic entities, and compliance with local immigration legislation. Overseeing the Lusophone Africa desk from Rio de Janeiro and London, Paulo Rage‘s experience spans all phases of cross-border projects and M&A transactions, from project planning and structuring to implementation and divestment.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paulo Rage


Autres avocats clés:

Gonçalo Falcão; Alexandre Chequer


Les références

‘The office always responds promptly, and the team is very skilled.’

‘Paulo Rage is very proactive and has in-depth knowledge of legislation and bureaucratic procedures in Mozambique.’

‘Paulo Rage has good knowledge of energy and electricity law, the general legal framework of Mozambique, and the possible direction of any upcoming changes.’

Raposo Bernardo

Raposo Bernardo represents prominent banking clients on project, corporate, and asset financing matters, particularly in the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors. The team is jointly led by Joana Andrade Correia and Manuel Albuquerque. Andrade Correia is experienced in corporate restructurings and M&A deals, spanning domestic and international ventures in diverse sectors such as aviation, projects, banking, and energy. Albuquerque’s expertise extends to infrastructure, construction, oil and gas, and real estate projects, as well as privatisation processes.

Responsables de la pratique:

Joana Andrade Correia; Manuel Albuquerque


Autres avocats clés:

Edson Santos


Les références

‘Raposo Bernardo is a unique law firm that has an excellent team of lawyers. They are highly professional and bright; all very experienced and technically skilled.’

‘Joana Andrade Correia is a fantastic lawyer. She is very smart and highly skilled.

‘Joana Andrade Correia is brilliant, and Manuel Albuquerque is a skilful lawyer with technical and commercial acumen.’

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP advises global corporations, financial organisations, and governmental bodies on various contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm’s Africa division is managed by Mukund Dhar in London, who assists clients in the energy, natural resources, infrastructure, and telecoms sectors, with projects, joint ventures, acquisitions, and commercial agreements. London-based Jason Kerr brings expertise in international finance to the team, advising a range of clients including commercial banks, export credit agencies, project sponsors, and multilateral lending institutions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Mukund Dhar


Autres avocats clés:

Jason Kerr; Rebecca Campbell


Principaux clients

Republic of Mozambique


Vale


JBIC


NEXI


China Exim


US Exim


ECIC


Atradius


SACE


Mauritius Commercial Bank


Syrah Resources


Axian Energy Green Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented Vale on its disposal of the Moatize coal mine and the Nacala rail and port corridor located in Mozambique and Malawi to Vulcan Minerals.
  • Advised the financiers on a landmark US$20+ billion project financing of Mozambique’s first onshore LNG development, Mozambique LNG.
  • Advised the Mauritius Commercial Bank Limited on its financing of the expansion and conversion of the fuel source of a 60-80 MW powership project in Mozambique and associated FSRU.

CMS

CMS is actively involved in a variety of industries, including maritime, transport, and construction, as well as energy, agriculture, and telecoms. The firm integrated Maputo-based firm Couto, Graça e Associados, lda – member of CMS in November 2022, expanding its operations in the region. The Lusophone Africa practice is jointly headed by Alberto Galhardo Simões, Nuno Alves Mansilha, and Tiago Machado Graça. Galhardo Simões is well versed in infrastructure, project finance, and corporate matters, while Mansilha’s expertise lies in M&A, international transactions, corporate restructuring, and FDI. Machado Graça, who became a partner in January 2023, is adept at advising on both national and international tax and investment issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alberto Galhardo Simões; Nuno Alves Mansilha; Tiago Machado Graça


Autres avocats clés:

Richad Majid


Les références

‘CMS exhibits innovation, excellence, and respect for the independence of local firms. They have solid knowledge and experience in local law and practice.’

‘Nuno Alves Mansilha is experienced in the Mozambican legal market. Richad Majid has strong, solid legal knowledge of the Mozambican market and is very versatile.’

‘Very strong team with a strong local presence that gives the firm an edge over other firms who do not have a “boots on the ground” presence. You can feel that it is a firm that is focused on people and that is reflected in the skills of the people you work with.’

Principaux clients

Vantage Drilling


SPIE Oil & Gas Services


Enterprise Philippe Lassarat


Orey Group


Tereos Group (Companhia do Sena)


Keyplan


Altus Management Group


Saipem SpA


Vinci Energies, S.A


Voith Hydro


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Vantage Drilling on the structuring of its drilling operations in Mozambique.
  • Advised Spie Oil & Gas Services on the structuring of an intragroup services agreement with Spie Oil & Gas Services Angola.
  • Advised Entreprise Philippe Lassarat on its pre-litigation and litigation cases against two subsidiaries of two Portuguese construction companies.

Cuatrecasas

Cuatrecasas offers clients diverse expertise in matters ranging from corporate M&A, banking and finance, and taxation to arbitration and labour law, acting for investment funds, private equity entities, financial organisations, and global corporations. Practice head Samantha Cyrne specialises in cross-border project finance transactions and concessions in sectors such as gas, mining, and infrastructure, as well as agriculture, industry, and tourism. Luís Soares De Sousa excels in supporting clients involved in the Mozambican market or those seeking investment opportunities in other regions.

Responsables de la pratique:

Samantha Cyrne


Autres avocats clés:

Luís Soares de Sousa


Principaux clients

Grit Real Estate Income Group Limited


Strongeagle Mozambique Fund


Pestana Hotel Group


International Finance Corporation (IFC)


Roche


Couto, Graça & Associados


Gorongosa Restoration Inc.


Infinitas Learning International B.V.


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Strongeagle Mozambique Fund on projects in Mozambique, including maritime training for oil and gas offshore companies operating in Mozambique.
  • Represented Grit Real Estate Income Group Limited before the Competition Regulatory Authority of Mozambique in a procedure relating to the acquisition of sole control over Gateway Real Estate Africa Limited.
  • Advised Pestana Hotel Group on the implementation of GDPR.

Eversheds Sutherland

Eversheds Sutherland works in close partnership with Eversheds Sutherland AG Advogados in Mozambique, offering expertise in multiple sectors, with a strong focus on energy, including oil and gas. The team is guided by João Couceiro, an expert in corporate, commercial, banking, and capital market issues, with areas of proficiency including project finance, M&A, and infrastructure. Felipe Ros is adept at handling international financing, M&A, and restructurings in Mozambique, in addition to dealing with litigation and employment, real estate, competition, taxation, and energy matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

João Couceiro


Autres avocats clés:

Felipe Ros


Les références

‘Felipe Ros and João Couceiro are both professionals who are very well prepared and have a deep knowledge of the regulations and procedures in Mozambique.’

‘They make the project easy, even when negotiating from Lisbon. The work gives us a sense of reassurance.’

‘Good collaboration and easy transition between partners. Client-focused and not a one-size-fits-all approach.’

Principaux clients

Otis


SOFEC


JAS


Matthews Daniel


Bureau Veritas


Kuiper Group (UAE)/ Golf Capital (UAE)


Regus


Dentsu


Lionsteel


Elecnor


Trinity International LLP

Based in London, boutique firm Trinity International LLP is proficient in project and corporate finance, focusing primarily on the energy, infrastructure, resources, and industrial sectors in emerging economies. The firm boasts expertise in African energy and infrastructure deals, providing advice to independent power producers and infrastructure initiatives. Simon Norris, who co-founded the firm, offers guidance to project developers, investors, and financial institutions on deals in the power, energy, transportation, and other infrastructure sectors. He leads the team with Paul Biggs and Kaushik Ray. Lucy Johnson and Elizabeth Handley, both adept at energy sector transactions, play key roles in supporting the team.

Responsables de la pratique:

Paul Biggs; Simon Norris; Kaushik Ray


Autres avocats clés:

Lucy Johnson; Elizabeth Handley


Les références

‘The energy team has significant expertise in operations in Mozambique.’

‘Deep African energy expertise, pragmatic and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Simon Norris effortlessly gets complicated points across during negotiations. Lucy Johnson is absolutely brilliant and has great attention to detail.’

Principaux clients

KfW Development Bank/Mozambican Ministry of Resources and Energy


Standard Bank of South Africa


Azura Power Holdings Limited


Globeleq


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Globeleq, as project sponsor, on the development of the Namaacha wind power project in Maputo.
  • Acted for Azura Power in respect of its development of a 200MW combined-cycle gas-fired power project in Nacala.
  • Advised the sponsors, including Scatec Solar and Norfund, on the Mocuba solar project.