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Corporate

Our corporate lawyers work for leading companies across Africa and around the world, from multinational corporations and national leaders to new tech businesses and startups, in all areas of finance, development and investment.  

From mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and venture capital to private and public equity and debt offerings, DLA Piper is one of the most active law firms on the continent. In fact, our #1 ranking in the Mergermarket Africa 2018 M&A league table shows that we handle more transactions on the continent than any other law firm. This means that whatever the challenge faced by our clients, chances are we've seen it before and know how to respond. 

We understand the political, cultural, regulatory and economic issues involved with doing business in Africa, and tailor our approaches accordingly. 

Our people and operations in Africa have been recognized by a raft of legal industry awards. Apart from our current #1 position in the Mergermarket Africa M&A league table, Dealmakers recently recognized us with two honors: the East Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year 2018 award and the South Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year 2018 award. 

Our clients benefit from the high-value combination of local knowledge, global insight and efficiencies that flows from our vibrant cross-border practice. DLA Piper can handle all aspects of complex domestic and international corporate matters. 

Key capabilities include:

  • cross-border public and private M&A:
    • inception, planning and due diligence
    • deal execution
    • post-merger integrations
    • joint ventures
    • growth by alternatives to M&A
  • capital markets - equity and debt
  • private equity
  • investment funds
  • venture capital
  • corporate governance 

Please contact us to discuss how we can help you to achieve your objectives. 

  • Recognised by Chambers Global (2018-2020) in Corporate/M&A in Africa-Wide.  Market commentators highlight the firm for its responsive service: "The firm is very client-centric and has a good understanding of a range of business issues. It is very productive and responds quickly to client requests."
  • #1 in Middle East & African M&A by deal volume (Mergermarket 2018-2019)
  • #2 in African M&A by deal volume (Mergermaket 2019)
  • #1 in African M&A by deal volume (Mergermarket 2018)
  • East Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year (Dealmakers 2018)
  • South Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year 2018 (Dealmakers 2018)

Doing business in Uganda

In terms of the ease-of-doing-business environment, the 2019 Doing Business Report rates Uganda at 127 out of 190 countries, while the 2018 Global Competitiveness Index rates Uganda at 117 of 140 countries.

Doing business in Burundi

Various vehicles exist under Burundian law. In fact, a Burundian company is established by an agreement involving two or more shareholders who agree to share part of their property and their know how to perform one or more specified activities in order to share the profits or take advantage of the economy that may result.

Doing business in Ghana

In the World Bank’s ease of doing business (2020) Ghana scored 60.0 on a scale of 100 as compared to the regional average (Sub-Saharan) of 51.8.

Doing business in Mauritius

The global business segment of the Mauritius International Financial Centre provides convenience, fiscal efficiency and risk mitigation for companies engaged in international operations.