Africa : Keystone Law

Keystone Law has been advising clients in Africa since its launch in 2002.

Our team of highly skilled lawyers has extensive experience working with clients across the continent and understands the unique legal, political, and economic landscape of each country.

We represent and advise a vast range of clients on using the law of England & Wales, including high-profile individuals and families through to government officials, local companies and international corporations. Keystone’s lawyers provide bespoke advice to suit individual circumstances and our multi-disciplinary approach means we can assist clients with numerous legal issues.

Our lawyers have experience working with clients in a wide range of African countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. We have strong relationships with local law firms and other professional advisors, which allows us to provide clients with seamless cross-border advice.

The firm’s innovative proprietary technology also allows our lawyers to work closely with their global clients to deliver professional and efficient advice, unhindered by geographical differences.

When expert local advice is required, we have trusted relationships with local counsel and can work with them to provide a tailored multi-jurisdictional approach.

Banking & Asset Finance
Commercial
Construction & Projects
Corporate
Dispute Resolution
Employment
Fraud & Financial Crime
Insurance
Mediation & ADR
Restructuring & Insolvency

Banking & Asset Finance

Commercial

Advised a pan-African capacity wholesaler on sales transactions and negotiating complex capacity draw-down arrangements with carrier customers.
Acted for a leading events management company in relation to the Guinness Pan African Football Programme and staging of a Guinness-sponsored International Friendly Football Match in Africa, including drafting, negotiating and finalising agreements with FIFA registered match agents, national football associations, high-profile celebrity ambassadors and free-to-air and satellite broadcasters.
Negotiated with celebrity football talent and their representatives to assist with the delivery of various brand engagements across a portfolio of key developing markets across Africa and Asia.
Acted for a leading events management company in relation to the staging of an International Friendly Football Match in Nigeria, including drafting, negotiating and finalising agreements with FIFA registered match agents, national football associations, high-profile celebrity ambassadors and free-to-air and satellite broadcasters.
Provided legal support in relation to TBA’s involvement in the design, production and broadcast of the Guinness 250 live concert in Lagos, Nigeria.
Advised the Mansour Group in relation to its exclusive distribution arrangements with BAT, Imperial Tobacco, Philip Morris and JTI in Egypt and Nigeria.
Advised BG Group on feedstock arrangements for Atlantic T2 and unitisation of NCMA fields (Trinidad) and OKLNG Nigeria.
Advised Afren on Tanzanian farm-out.
Advised Sterling Energy on farm-out of Cameroon Ntem Block interest.
Negotiated and concluded the nationwide roll-out of UMTS network (3G) with MoviTel, the biggest tech provider in Mozambique.
Negotiated and concluding a number of technology contracts with EriTel for the provision of Eritrea.

Acted for a specialist African Investment Fund Management company based in South Africa and London in relation to UK employment issues and then advised the founding directors on their exit when it was sold to and merged into a larger fund portfolio.
Acted for an international professional services firm in respect of an outsourcing contract won in relation to the provision of facilities management services across 121 properties, across 94 countries in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, China and Africa.
Advised a leading asset manager on all people- and remuneration-related regulatory matters including in relation to SMCR, CRD IV, AIFMD, UCITS V, MiFiD II, Gender Pay Gap Reporting, BB-EEE Reporting (South Africa).
Advised a global mining company on the employment aspects of the transfer of a mineral sands mining project in Mozambique.
Represented the South Africa-based online gambling regulator eCogra in a UK Employment Tribunal.

Energy

Advised a UK-listed mining company on contractual documentation and mining arrangements for a joint venture and related international acquisition documentation for an African gold-mining development project.
Advised a major listed oil and gas exploration company on a variety of confidential merger and acquisition mandates in Africa.
Advised an international mining company on numerous professional services agreements for studies in relation to its projects in South Africa, Chile and Peru.
Advised an international mining company on its agreement with a global contractor for mining services in relation to an underground project at its South African diamond mine.
Advised an international mining company on its EPCM contract for a major expansion to its platinum mine in South Africa.
Advised an international mining company on separation and transitional arrangements in relation to a series of disposals in South Africa and South America.

Fraud & Financial Crime

Defended a HNW individual from claims to recover US$22m for fraudulent misrepresentation and conspiracy to defraud by unlawful means over the sale of a large FMCG company in sub-Saharan Africa.
Defended an African HNW individual in an investigation by the Metropolitan Police into allegations of money laundering in the UK.

Insurance

Acted for an African State Reinsurance Company in respect of a dispute with a Russian insurer and reinsurance broker in respect of coverage and material non-disclosure issues.
Acted for Konkola Copper Mines on Commercial Court decision against Coromin concerning jurisdictional issues affecting a global insurance and reinsurance programme for Zambian copper mining risks.
Acted for Libyan Arab Airlines, King Khalid International Airport, in respect of direct and indirect losses claim relating to an aircraft being struck by catering truck.
Advised a global reinsurer on offshore energy claims relating to drilling operations off the coast of Nigeria.
Represented a mining group in relation to the recovery of a substantial property damage and business interruption claim arising from the collapse of an open pit at a Zambian copper mine.

Mediation & ADR

Restructuring & Insolvency

Acted for a significant Chinese shareholder, bondholder and trade creditor on the insolvency of African Minerals Limited.
Advised a syndicate of development finance institutions (Proparco, AFD, European Investment Bank, OeEB and FMO) in relation to Chase Bank Kenya.
Advised in relation to Jetlinks Kenya.
Advised in relation to the restructuring of a telecom business in Nigeria.
Advised Microloan Foundation, a charity in sub-Saharan Africa helping women, children and families, in its restructuring.
Advised Proparco in relation to the restructuring of Mumias Sugar Corporation in Kenya.
Advised the Government of Cabo Verde and the national airline of Cabo Verde in relation to a debt resolution and liability management, aircraft operating leases and the privatisation sale to Icelandair Group.
Acted for a West African commodities group on its standstill, refinancing and restructuring negotiations in West Africa, the UK and Switzerland.