Our lawyers are fully experienced in arranging the legal aspects of loans to buy other companies, or to finance new business ventures. They also advise on a variety of finance-related mandates, across a variety of countries, markets, and legal structures. We have a real understanding of secured- and project- finance structures. Structures which are increasingly common in Francophone Africa as lenders seek to maximise their security and borrowers try to limit their exposure. With many years of international experience to draw on, we can help both lenders and borrowers navigate the risks of financing.
US$85m Revolving Credit Facility
Acting for an oil and gas company operating in Madagascar, we advised on their US$85m short term revolving credit facility. Issues involved primacy of security, flexibility under lender-imposed covenants and registration in multiple jurisdictions.
DBSA - $18m Secured Debt Financing
Advising the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) on its US$18m financing of an eel farm in South East Madagascar. We reviewed all the documentation relating to the borrower as well as its assets, drafted the security package over the assets and the shares, issued an opinion to the satisfaction of the Bank's board and registered the security.
Banking Regulation
We advised a leading international bank on the rules and regulations surrounding establishing a bank in Madagascar, obtaining a banking licence and conducting banking business (including both loans and deposit taking). We also reviewed the role of the Central Bank and that of the various Ministries concerned.
Banking Regulation – 5 jurisdictions
We advised a leading international bank on regulatory aspects of retail banking across the Francophone region, including banking licences, lending and deposit taking. We are also reviewing the legality of aspects of their internet banking products in various jurisdictions.