Mwelwa is the founding partner and current managing partner of Chibesakunda & Company. He has been instrumental in establishing Chibesakunda & Company as one of Zambia’s leading corporate and commercial law firms.
Mwelwa has over twenty five years of experience advising local and international clients in a wide range of commercial law matters. Mwelwa is a recognized market leader in M&A, complex banking and finance transactions and energy advisory.
Experience has included advising:
- A local bank on the establishment and operationalization of Zambia’s first block-chain banking solution
- Advising local shareholders on the USD30 million disposal of their entire interest in an integrated cropping and herding farming business
- Western Power on the establishment of a 50 MW hydro power plant
- Barclays Bank Plc on Zambia’s inaugural USD750 million Sovereign Bond
- Syngenta on the acquisition of MRI Seed – one of Zambia’s leading seed producing companies
- Altima Partners LLP on the acquisition and disposal of USD30 million of a 3000 acre integrated farming operation
- The Government of Zambia on the drafting of new Building Society legislation
- The Government of Zambia and Universal Leaf Limited on resettling, establishing back into farming business and assisting with the legal work on financing of displaced Zimbabwean farmers
- A syndicate of local and international banks lead by Citibank and Standard Bank in relation to the USD165 million financing of Zambia Sugar’s plant expansion.
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the Supreme Court of Zambia (1994)
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Zambia (1991)
Education
- University of Bristol (UK) LL.M. (1994)
- Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Education (ZIALE) (1991)
- University of Zambia, LL.B. (1989)
Recognition
- Ranked as leading lawyer in Chambers & Partners Global from 2004-18
Prior Experience
- 2006 to date, Partner, Chibesakunda & Co, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Zambia
- 1996 to 2006, Partner, Lusaka based law firm
- 1995 to 1996, Principal State Advocate, International Law and Agreements Department
- 1993 to 1995, Senior State Advocate, International Law and Agreements Department
- 1992 to 1993, State Advocate, Attorney-General’s Chambers, Lusaka
- 1991 to 1992, State Advocate, Director of Public Prosecutions, Lusaka
- 1990 to 1991, Learner Legal Practitioner, Lusaka based law firm
Memberships
- Member of the Law Association of Zambia