South African firm Bowmans opened an office in Moka, Mauritius in 2019. The pan-African firm has seven offices in five countries in total.

Focusses / specialism

The firm has a particular specialism in investment fund formation as well as acquisition transactions and bank lending work.

Key clients

The firm has advised Absa Bank, The Mauritius Commercial Bank, World Bank, Apex Group, Vivo Energy, Novastar Ventures, TIDE Africa, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Chartered Bank, Everstone Capital, Gateway Real Estate, Adenia Partners and FirstRand Bank.

Research period review: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

During the research period the firm was active in banking, debt capital markets, investment funds, M&A and project development.

In banking the firm worked on domestic and cross border lending and debt restructuring transactions for borrowers and lenders from a wide variety of sectors including banking, technology and financial services.

In debt capital markets the firm worked on note issuances for clients in the technology sector.

In investment funds the firm worked on fund formation work for clients.

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for buyers and sellers in the telecommunication, financial services, renewables, real estate, tourism and technology sectors.

Partners Gilles Athaw and Rajiv Gujadhur joined the firm during the research period.

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Armada Metals Pty $400 million acquisition of Armada Exchange

Innodis MauR800 million notes issues

Invicta Offshore Holdings $25 million financing

Invicta Global Holdings €6 million financing

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Capital markets : Debt

"Quality of service, speed of execution and expertise."

Financial services regulatory

"Quality service."

M&A

"Professional, always seeking to clearly understand the commercial terms/requirements and accurately integrate it in the agreements. Very responsive."

Private equity

"Responsive, clear and good quality."

Gilles Athaw

"Depth of knowledge, responsiveness and professionalism."

"Professional, always seeking to clearly understand the commercial terms/requirements and accurately integrate it in the agreements. Very responsive. Cleary advises when there is a term or condition that can negatively affect the company, and provides a solution on how to address this point."

Rajiv Gujadhur

"Listening skills, reachable and available for meetings, service with a smile despite any challenging situation."

Javed Niamut

"Responsive, very able, good problem-solver, hard-working, pleasant to deal with."