Zambia

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 Lusaka, and it boasts strategic partnerships with alliance firms in Ethiopia and Nigeria.  

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.  

Testimonials 2022/2023 

"Understood the transaction fully and guided on both local and international law." (Financial Restructuring)

Bwalya Chilufya-Musonda 

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

Founded in 2023, MAY and Company is a full-service law firm serving businesses of all sizes. With five partners, the team covers a variety of financial and corporate practice areas, including Banking & Finance, M&A, Private Equity, and Capital Markets. They also specialize in project infrastructure and construction, as well as energy and real estate. The firm is based in Lusaka, Zambia.  

Highlights  

MAY and Company is currently advising Manara Minerals Investment Company in a proposed acquisition of an equity stake in ten Zambian mining subsidiaries owned by First Quantum Minerals Limited. Acting as local counsel, the team conducted due diligence on the Zambian subsidiaries and prepared a report with recommendations and proposed warranties to assist in negotiating the acquisition. They are also assisting with the drafting of the share purchase agreement from a local law perspective. The project is currently ongoing and led by partner Chanda Musonda.  

The firm is also advising China Datang Overseas Investment Co. On their investment and development of a 100MW greenfield solar photovoltaic (PV) solar project in Zambia’s Southern Province. The team acted as local counsel and is involved in the preparation of the legal environment report, establishing the project special purpose vehicle, and reviewing and advising on all project and transaction documents. The project is currently ongoing and led by partner Harriet A. Mdala.  

Partner Maloba Nalomba joined the corporate team from Musa Dudhia and Co in August 2024.  

Key Clients  

Ivanhoe Mines Limited; Trade Kings Group of Companies; GoviEx Uranium Inc; Citi Bank; Manara Minerals Investment Company; China Datang Overseas Investment Co., Limited; Barotse Highway Limited; EDF Energy ; Fitchner Management Consulting AG; Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (“FCDO”) through Green Cities, Infrastructure and Energy Programme 

Testimonials 2024/2025  

“MAY and Co are both highly knowledgeable about a wide variety of legal issues and also very client centred. They provide comprehensive advice and respect client deadlines without compromising the quality of the advice rendered.” (Banking & Finance) 

“The team is well rounded, quick, thorough and educated.” (M&A) 

“The team is proactive and easily accessible. They have the know-how in the jurisdiction in which they operate and have solutions to client problems.” (M&A) 

“MAY and Co was professional on power industry, and the team was very efficient in responding, and at the same time, very flexible about the needs of the client, which are very essential for meeting the requirements of Chinese clients.” (M&A) 

“MAY and Co has offered availability, flexibility, reliability, and a top-notch expertise of Zambian law.” (M&A) 

“They stand out due to their customer service, subject-matter-expertise and their communication. They always respond promptly to advise that the query has been received, which gives comfort to the customer. When they respond, they provide the relevant legal precedent which justifies their advice, and they clearly outline what their advice is on way forward. Where appropriate, they provide options as well as the implications of the different options. They consider not only the legal precedent but the industry practice and leverage their wider knowledge of the market / customers which is very useful as well.” (M&A) 

“Exceptional quality of support and clarity on required proceedings, as well as early identification of any risks or pitfalls to avoid.” (Project Development)  

“MAY and Company is rapidly becoming a top-tier law firm in the country, especially for project finance. Their success is driven by an outstanding and highly accessible team that excels at navigating complex legal structures. They have provided invaluable guidance on a range of intricate agreements, from concession and EPC contracts to financing agreements.” (Project Finance) 

“What truly makes them stand out is their unique blend of specialized expertise and an exceptionally collaborative, client-focused approach, making them a pleasure to work with on even the most challenging projects.” (Project Finance) 

“MAY and Company stand out for their responsiveness, clarity of advice, and ability to deliver legally robust work under pressure. Their team combines strong technical legal skills with a practical, solutions-oriented approach, which is especially valuable when navigating complex matters like customer claims, regulatory risks, and contract enforcement.” (Restructuring) 

“They understand the commercial realities of the gaming sector, which makes their advice both relevant and actionable. Their drafting is precise, and their communication is always professional and to the point.” (Restructuring) 

“Chanda Musonda's strengths include having expertise in Banking and financial transactions and her ability to be client centred and to go the extra mile for clients.” (Banking & Finance) 

“Chanda Musonda is extremely responsive, accessible and open minded. She is very well versed in her field.” (M&A) 

“Chanda Musonda is very thorough in her work and pays attention to detail. Her expertise in various areas of the law is commendable. She does not only provide legal opinions on matters but offers workable solutions on an array of subject matters.” (M&A) 

“Chanda Musonda is very responsive and very quick to attending to client needs. She is an excellent lawyer and knows her work.” (M&A) 

“Harriet A. Mdala was very professional in the power industry, she not only conducted due diligent work for the projects as the client required but also gave very enlightening resolution for the questions that she found out during the due diligence.” (M&A) 

“Harriet A. Mdala has shown availability, reliability, and flexibility. She understands the client's expectations and needs and delivers high quality legal expertise on M&A matters in the Energy sector, and Zambian related law.” (M&A) 

“Harriet A. Mdala is very innovative and pays attention to details, including details that everyone else misses.” (Project Finance) 

“Maloba Nalomba provides a measured, knowledge-based service which leverages her clearly deep understanding of the market and appreciation for the business context. She understands that clients want practical advice which she always communicates clearly. She can be relied upon to provide support promptly and thoroughly. She is able to build trust with the client.” (M&A) 

“We appreciate Maloba Nalomba’s communication and follow through on tasks.” (Project Development) 

“Maloba Nalomba is clear, practical, and easy to deal with. She cuts to the heart of an issue and gives advice that’s actually useful, not just legally correct. She communicates well, doesn’t waste time, and has a great feel for when to be firm and when to be flexible.” (Restructuring)