One of the biggest firms in Nigeria, full-service outfit AELEX was founded near the turn of the millennium by a four-way merger. It has offices in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja in Nigeria, as well as an office in Accra Ghana.
Focusses / specialisms
The firm advises on financing and is competent in the capital markets space with experience in IPOs, Eurobonds, derivatives and rights issues. It also acts as counsel on large infrastructure projects in Nigeria. A regular stream of its mandates come from foreign clients looking to invest directly into Nigeria.
A core practice for the firm is energy and infrastructure where the firm acts as counsel to major players in the oil and gas sector. The firm is prominent on the corporate side of oil and gas work and often works on farm-ins, farm-outs and M&A involving the industry.
Key clients
The firm has developed strong relationships within the banking practice with FBNQuest Merchant Bank, Export-Import Bank of the United States, African Export-import Bank, EMTS, Keystone Bank, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Securities Solutions, Emerging Markets Payment West Africa, PayU Payments Nigeria, Sentinel Exploration & Production, Vitol, African Development Bank, Cedar Consortium, Ecobank Nigeria, FBN Capital, and Dangote Cement.
In capital markets the firm has connections with Food Concepts, Stanbic IBTC, Securities Solutions, Coca-Cola, 7UP Bottling Company, and Securities Exchange Commission.
In M&A the firm has ties to Google, Helios Investment Partners, Petrobras, Nampack Nigeria, SAP Africa, KLM Line Maintenance International, Lufthansa, Shoprite Holdings, Chevron Nigeria, Mobil Producing Nigeria, Azura Power West Africa, The Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria, CNOOC E&P, and Beacon Power Services Nigeria.
In project development the firm has relationships with All Grace Energy Nigeria, ADDAX Petroleum, Benue Minerals, Shelf Drilling, Nagarjuna Fertilizer and Chemicals Nigeria, Blue Power Energy, Modandola Group, SDP Services, and Rusal Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria.
In project finance the firm has developed bonds with Global Telecommunications Company, Africa Finance Corporation, PetroMetrics, Gigagas, Honeywell Group, SacOil Nigeria, SDP Services, APR Energy, and Van Oord Dredging & Marine Contractors.
Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
During the research period, the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, M&A, project development and project finance.
In banking the firm worked on project, acquisition, trade, debtor, and Islamic financings and refinancings for clients linked to the banking, oil and gas, power, and infrastructure sectors.
In debt capital markets the firm worked on bond issuances and asset backed commercial papers for clients linked to financial services, infrastructure, and consumer goods.
In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions, divestments and joint ventures for clients linked to diverse industry sectors but active in the financial services, banking, and technology sectors.
In project development the firm worked on projects for clients connected to banking, oil and gas and power sectors.
In project finance the firm worked on financings for clients linked to the oil and gas, power, and banking sectors.
Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Kasada Albatross Holdings $30.3 million acquisition of SS Ikoyi Holdings
Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)
Banking
“They are responsive and produce good-quality work.”
M&A
“Very commercial and practical. Firm knowledge of the law.”
“The area of merger control under competition law is new In Nigeria. The team was willing to engage with the client's specific concerns and to listen to more experienced international practitioners, without becoming territorial or defensive. Advice was practical and commercial. AELEX has a good relationship with the competition authority and an understanding of its workings.”
“They know the oil and gas sector very well.”
“AELEX is knowledgeable, responsive, approachable and unimpeachably professional.”
Lawrence Fubara Anga
“He's the embodiment of the firm – knowledgeable, responsive, approachable and unimpeachably professional.”
Odinaka Okoye
“Amazingly responsive.”
Tiwalola Osazuwa
“Tiwa is eager to assist and to provide a practical solution to the client's challenges.”
Chinyerugo Ugoji
“Very friendly. Deep legal knowledge.”
“Ugo is calm, thoughtful and dedicated to finding solutions.”
“He is a smart and knowledgeable lawyer, and 'straight down the line'.”
