This Masterclass will discuss key legal considerations for the international investor investing in Africa. The program addresses three critical factors that will be relevant across many sectors of investment.
Firstly, an overview of the investment climate and how to secure investor rights in African countries. Secondly, the rules governing trade for exporting from Africa or trading within the African region. Thirdly, the considerations for investing responsibly towards the poorest people in Africa.
African countries are undergoing a period of unprecedented transformation. The growth in economies and population is fuelling a demand for infrastructure and developmental projects, greater attention to agriculture and increased engagement with foreign investors. The changing and varied needs of the different African jurisdictions requires careful legal considerations to suit the unique needs of the relevant African institutions/markets. This Masterclass will identify and explain some key issues that the international investor should be aware of when investing in Africa.
Who should attend this Masterclass:
- inhouse corporate attorneys
- investment funds managers
Elizabeth Uwaifo, Partner, Global Finance Group, Sidley Austin
The Masterclass will be led by Elizabeth Uwaifo, a partner in Sidley’s Global Finance Group in London, with extensive experience in advising on structuring investments to match the needs of international investors and investees. She is a partner in the Global Finance group in London. Her practice involves advising banks, corporates, investment funds, insurance companies and other financial institutions on financing, risk management and investment matters. She is experienced in structuring innovative financing techniques including infrastructure financing, asset protection arrangements and establishing and implementing prudential management strategies. She is a member of the firm's Agribusiness practice and actively involved in facilitating investments in Agriculture and other sectors in various African countries. She is recognised as a leading lawyer in her field by various market observers including Chambers PLC, Legal 500 and IFLR 1000.
The Masterclass team will also include Arnoud Willems and Jung-ui Sul.
Arnoud Willems is a partner in Sidley’s International Trade and Arbitration Group in Brussels, and a leading international trade practitioner.
Jung-ui Sul is an Associate in Sidley’s International Trade and Arbitration Group in Brussels and the director of Sidley’s Africa-Asia Agribusiness Pro Bono Program.
Sidley Austin LLP is one of the world’s premier law firms. With approximately 1700 lawyers, we provide a broad range of services to meet the needs of businesses, financial institutions and governments across a multitude of industries and in a variety of locations around the world. The firm’s experience covers work done in respect of a variety of African countries including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Togo, Congo and the Republic of Guinea.