Thera Dai

Thera Tobias Dai is a senior corporate and regulatory lawyer, Post-Graduated in Corporate Governance, with 17 years of experience leading complex, capital-intensive projects in highly regulated sectors, including oil and gas (downstream), energy logistics, infrastructure, foreign investment and fintech.

She acts as lead counsel on high-value transactions and disputes, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and interfacing directly with regulators, government authorities and international counterparties. Her practice integrates corporate structuring, regulatory licensing, investment approvals, administrative law analysis and dispute resolution, particularly in matters requiring multi-agency coordination and significant regulatory exposure.

Her clients include energy operators, infrastructure developers, financial institutions and foreign investors operating in Mozambique.

• Thera has been a member of the Ordem dos Advogados de Moçambique since 2011
• She served as VicePresident of the Maputo City Council of the Bar Association (2019–2022)
• In 2023, was elected National Counsellor and Head of Treasury for a three-year mandate.
• She is also a member of the SADC Lawyers Association, currently serving as Counsellor representing the Mozambique Bar Association.

• LPG Bulk Storage and Handling Facility – Investment Expansion: Acting as lead counsel, advised on regulatory approval of a USD 25 million increase to a previously approved foreign investment project involving construction of a bulk LPG storage and handling facility – INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM MOZAMBIQUE, LDA SHAREHOLDER LOAN PROVIDED BY INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM GROUP, LTD – the expansion comprised four LPG storage tanks, loading gantries, firefighting systems, pumping and pipeline infrastructure, security systems and ancillary facilities, and she directed amendment of the original investment authorisation before Agência para a Promoção de Investimento e Exportações (APIEX) and coordinated regulatory alignment with energy and environmental authorities.
• Maritime Regulatory – Reversal of Vessel Ban (Port of Beira): As lead counsel, successfully overturned a petrol vessel ban at the Port of Beira, restoring operational capacity and preventing material disruption to downstream fuel supply chains, directed urgent administrative challenge strategy and regulatory engagement, the matter was finalized in July 2025 – BHARAT TANKS & VESSELS LLP.
• Shareholder Loans & Debt-to-Equity Conversions: Led advisory on shareholder loan approvals and conversion into share capital, ensuring compliance with foreign exchange regulations, investment approval procedures and capital increase formalities, structured transactions to strengthen capital bases while maintaining regulatory compliance – IPG – GALP BEIRA TERMINAL, LDA & GALP – IPG MATOLA TERMINAL, LDA.
• Concession Agreement Enforceability – Administrative Court Approval: Drafted a binding legal opinion as lead counsel on enforceability of a concession agreement for exploitation of a national reserve executed without prior approval (visto) from the Administrative Court – MAPUTO CONSERVATION COMPANY, LDA.
• Arbitration – Tourism & Hydrocarbon Construction: Led arbitration and judicial proceedings arising from nonperformance and termination of agreements in tourism and hydrocarbon facilities construction projects, directed breach analysis, damages assessment and regulatory risk management strategy – IPG – GAPL BEIRA TERMINAL, LDA.

• Banking
• Private equity
• Project development
• Project finance
• Real estate finance

• Construction and materials
• Energy
• Natural resources
• Technology and telecommunications
• Tourism

• Post-Graduation in Corporate Governance, Faculty of Law ISCTEM, 2009
• Law Degree, Faculty of Law ISCTEM, 2008

• Member of Mozambican Bar Association