Founded in South Africa in 1905, ENSafrica is now a large pan-African law firm with a focus on commercial law. It employs more than 600 hundred lawyers across as offices in Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda. The South African branches are located in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, and Stellenbosch.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm engages and is experienced in banking, corporate, capital markets, M&A, and project development and finance transactions. 

The firm has performed strongly specifically across banking, debt and equity capital markets, M&A, and energy projects as well as project finance.

The firm advises on deals across industries, including agribusiness, aviation, banking, energy, infrastructure, and real estate.

The firm advises not only on the legal systems within African jurisdictions, but has also advised on English, Indian, Irish, and Swiss legal systems.

Key clients

The firm has developed strong relationships within the banking arena with irstRand, Standard Bank, Absa, Capitec, Ecobank, Sasfin, Nedbanka and Standard Chartered Bank.

In capital markets the firm’s clients are Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited, Investec Bank Limited, Land Bank, Lewis Group, Numis Securities Limited and JP Morgan Securities.

In M&A the firm has connections with Sanlam Investment Holdings Proprietary, African Infrastructure Investments Managers, Sanlam Emerging Markets Pty Ltd; Sanlam Limited and Sanlam Life Insurance Limited; Impala Platinum Holdings Limited; Novus Holdings Limited, a company listed on the JSE Limited.

In project development it has ties with City Power OSC Limited, South32 South Africa Limited, Sunrise Energy Proprietary Limited, Midvaal Local Municipality, Engie, African Rainbow Energy & Power, Engie Southern Africa, Development Bank of South Africa, RMB Namibia and Scatec Solar.

In the project finance space, the firm has relationships with Richards Bay Alloys, Sasol, EY, Kalagadi Manganese, Abengoa, Vitol, Old Mutual, Longyuan Engineering, African and Absa Bank Limited.

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 debt and financing deals for a mix of borrowers and lenders for clients in the banking, financial services, TMT and energy sectors.

In debt capital markets the firm worked mainly on note issues for arrangers or issuers in the banking, financial services and energy sectors.

In M&A the firm worked mainly on acquisitions for acquirers connected with financial services and TMT.

In project development the firm worked on projects for developers and sponsors in the power, renewables, mining and oil & gas sectors.

In project finance worked on financing projects for mainly lenders and sponsors from the social infrastructure and renewables sectors.

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Absa Bank Limited $1.3 billion solar power plant project finance

Development Bank of Southern Africa $52 million sovereign financing

Sasol group establishment of ZAR15 billion Domestic Medium Term Note Programme 

VS Hydro Africa and MOL Power Hydroelectric Energy $14 million project

Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Banking and finance

“Excellent lawyers.”

“They managed and recorded technical banking issues and provided clear and concise feedback on all meetings and the various 'to do' lists. They managed a number of demands from the four banks involved and dealt with the client's legal team. It was a very drawn-out process, which was managed very well by the ENS team. They are a very approachable and friendly legal team, always able to make time for me and respond to the various questions I raised. A very professional approach.”

“Proactive management of the transaction process, useful advice and excellent drafting.”

M&A

“Very diligent, knowledgeable and able to tie in the technical and commercial requirements.”

Alex Taylor

“She is on top of her game – always prepared, able to deal with complex issues (especially when dealing with a number of parties), professional in her meeting notes and 'to do' lists and easy to get along with. I know she will deliver.”
 

Anina Boshoff

“Excellent advice, practical solutions, proactive transaction management.”

Corné Moodie

“Extremely diligent, hard-working and knowledgeable.”

Johann Basson

“Excellent lawyer.”

Julius Oosthuizen

“He understands our business and the requirements and is able to marry the commercial and the legal aspects required in a transaction.”

Sean Lederman

“Excellent lawyer.”