Zambia

IFLR1000 Reviews

Financial and corporate
Bowmans

Bowmans is a full-service firm with offices across six African jurisdictions, including Mauritius, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda locations. The firm’s Zambian operations are based in the capital city of Lusakaand it boasts strategic partnerships with alliance firms in Ethiopia and Nigeria. 

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm is noted for its financing work, and is also active in capital markets, M&A, restructuring and project development. 

In the finance space, the firm largely represents banks as lenders in complex refinancing proceedings 

The firm’s capital markets involvement includes equity side counsel on IPO’s as well as activity in the derivatives space. 

In the M&A practice, the firm is active principally in joint ventures and in representing sellers in divestments, as well as attending to a range of other deal types. 

The firm’s restructuring work largely involves shareholders of major international corporations. 

In project development, the firm sees to numerous deals involving the agriculture and energy sectors.  

 

Key clients 

Among the firm’s key clients are Absa Bank Zambia, African Banking Corporation Zambia, Coca-Cola, First Quantum Minerals, Google, MasterCard, Uber Technologies, Vivo Energy and Weir Group.  

 

Research period review: 32nd edition (2021/2022)  

During the research period, the majority of the firm’s work was in the banking space. In this regard, the firm notably represented Investment Fund for Developing Countries as the lender to the Republic of Zambia to aid the nation in repaying a debt to Nordea Bank. 

In the capital markets space, the firm provided counsel to financial institutions and major corporations, particularly in the food and beverage sector.  

The firm’s M&A involvement included representation of clients from the financial services and construction sectors, including the $150 million sale of 75% of the shares in Lafarge Zambia by LafargeHolcimand several other multi-jurisdictional deals. 

In restructuring, the firm represented clients from a variety of sectors, such as those of food and beverage, insurance and transportation. Among these clients is the ride-share service Uber, who retained the firm for transactions relating to the expansion of its Zambian operations.  

In project development, the firm’s work focused on renewable energy and data technology solutions. 

 

Deal highlights: 32nd edition (2021/2022)  

Republic of Zambia $10 million financing 

Uber Technologies restructuring 

 

Client feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Financial restructuring 

"Understood the transaction fully and guided on both local and international law." 

 

Bwalya Chilufya-Musonda 

"Technical competence, patience, listening, communication, meeting of deadlines." 

Corpus Legal Practitioners

Corpus Legal Practitioners is a corporate and commercial law firm. It has been serving clients in Zambia and across Africa for over 25 years. The firm is also a member of LexAfrica.

 

Focuses / specialisms

The firm is experienced in project development, project finance and M&A. 

 

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include Anglo Exploration, Stanbic Bank Zambia Limited, Barrick Lumwana Mining Company, Copperbelt Energy Corporation, Glencore, Nutreco Africa BV, Qatar Investment Authority, Export and Import Bank of Russia, Norwegian Investment Fund and Family Health International.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in project development, project finance and M&A. 

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions by acquirers and sellers in the investment management, technology and pharmaceutical sectors among others.

In project development the firm worked on mining projects.  

In project finance the firm worked on financings and mining services.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

A.P. Møller Capital private acquisition

British International Investments $50 million project finance

Lubambe Copper Mine Limited $150 million project finance

Eric Silwamba, Jalasi & Linyama

Eric Silwamba, Jalasi & Linyama Legal Practitioners is a member of Dentons and serves clients in 77 countries. The office is based in Lusaka.

 

Focuses / specialisms

The firm has a particular focus on banking and finance work and specialises in M&A and corporate.

 

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include Samsung, Total Energies, CIGNA Insurance, Deloitte, Puma, Energy,  BP, First Quantum Minerals, Stanbic Bank, OPay and Bank of China.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in financial and corporate matters.

In banking the firm worked on financings for lenders.

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions for acquirers and sellers.

Mulenga Mundashi Legal Practitioners

Mulenga Mundashi Legal Practitioners is a Zambian commercial law firm established in 1999. The firm is led by Michael M Mundashi and is based in Lusaka.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on financial and corporate and project development work.

 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Absa Bank, The Standard Bank of South Africa, First Quantum Minerals London, Kobold Metals, Zamare Minerals, ALCF I Investment II Proprietary, African Parks, Dalmata SPA Company and Lactalis Zambia, Enel green power, Sailing International Leasing and Sanlam Emerging Markets.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in financing, corporate M&A and project development.

In M&A the firm worked on acquisitions by acquirers and sellers in the energy and investment management sectors.

In project development the firm worked on mining projects.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

The Standard Bank of South Africa $306 million financing

Enel Green Power $18 million M&A

 

Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Capital markets

“Very efficient and quick to respond. The work they carried out was detailed and thorough. Friendly and good personal relations.”

“Detailed knowledge of legal process in Zambia from a professional and dynamic team. We found them very good.”

 

Financial services regulatory

“Very responsive and very professional. Good communication.”

 

Chipili Salati

“Positive, proactive and knowledgeable.

"Responsive and highly knowledgeable of the Zambian situation and well integrated into international business.”

 

Mike Chilufya

“Very responsive and professional.”

"Responsive and helpful.”

AB & David

AB & David is a Zambian law firm established in 2009 and initially traded under the name Dumisani and Company and later Tembo Mulengeshi & Chanda. In early 2015, the firm rebranded into AB & David after joining AB & David Africa. AB & David is part of AB & David Africa, a Pan African firm with on the ground presence in Ghana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya together an affiliate network with presence in 23 other African countries.

 

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on project development work where the firm has achieved top tier status in Zambia, the firm is also very active in financial and corporate work.

 

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include First Capital Bank, Konkola Copper Mines, VMO, Nokia, Amazon Web Services, Turkish Airlines, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney and First Capital Bank Limited.

 

Research period review: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

During the research period, the firm was active in project development and financial and corporate deals.

In corporate the firm worked mainly in financing and some M&A deals for the banking and the investments funds sectors.

In project development the firm's work focused on energy and construction project development deals.

 

Deal highlights: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

IDH Farmfit Fund $3 million financing

Bert MGD Consortium $250 million project development

 

Client Feedback: 33rd edition (2023/2024)

Project development

“Very actively in negotiations.”

Abigail & Chama Advocates

Abigail & Chama Advocates is a Zambian law firm established in 2020. The firm is based in Lusaka.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a focus on banking work.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include North Western Energy Corporation, Macoil Gas Zambia, Agdevco, Silverlands Zambia, Zambia Seed Company, Golden Lay, Cropit Farming, African Life Financial Services, Zambia National Commercial Bank and Cavmont Bank.

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Bank lending: Lender side

"Stellar service. They give valuable and insightful advice and provide very detail guidance and solutions, whilst working under immense pressure."

"They are professional and always willing to do execute within reasonable time frames."

Musa Dudhia & Co

Musa Dudhia & Co is a Zambian law firm established in 1958. The firm is a member of the African Legal Network, is led by Arshad Dudhia and is based in Lusaka.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm has a strong practice in financial and corporate and project development achieving top tier status in Zambia for both areas.

Key clients

Key clients of the firm include Zambeef Products, Liquid Telecom Zambia, First National Bank Zambia, Bola Bet Sports Betting, Casilli Group of Companies, Grit Real Estate Income Group, Louis Dretyfus Commodities Zambia, IHS Zambia, Eferton Group and Kaltire.

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023)

Financial services regulatory

"Efficient and responsive to questions. Client orientated and practical solution driven."

"The Law firm is well groomed to understand client needs and provide excellent legal assistance."

 

M&A

"Professional, Responsive, Responsible."

Project development
Moira Mukuka Legal Practitioners

Moira Mukuka Legal Practitionersis a Zambian law firm is led by co-managing partners Brenda Mutale Chanda and Sharon Sakuwaha and the firm is based in Lusaka. 

 

Focusses / specialisms 

The firm has a particular focus on project related work. 

 

Key clients 

Key clients of the firm includeLusanje Power and M-Kopa Holdings. 

 

Client Feedback: 32nd edition (2022/2023) 

Project development 

"Professional and knowledgeable and also very engaging and responsive."