Allen Leuta and Ulrike Naumann co-head the banking and finance practice at Bowmans, which continues to handle a high volume of sustainability-linked funding transactions and large-scale restructurings. Cross-border mandates are prominent in the ‘responsive and knowledgeable‘ team’s workload, and the group is well versed in representing borrowers and lenders in complex matters. Naumann is a key contact for debt restructurings, leveraged and mezzanine finance, and preference share funding transactions. Jan Kruger is highly regarded for his solid track record in acting for financial institutions, and Michael Swartland‘s practice takes in BEE funding matters. Jayson George is ‘a phenomenal individual with true grit and poise‘. Pride Jani joined the group in December 2023, and the practice was also bolstered by the arrival of Ryan Nelson and Amanda Jones in January 2025. Deborah Carmichael left the firm in December 2024.

ENSafrica‘s team stands out for its ‘breadth of skills and experience across all aspects of banking and finance matters’. Debt finance work forms the key pillar of the practice, and the group is well known for acting for a solid client base of development finance institutions and international and domestic banks. Practice head Craig Saven is highly regarded for his expertise in advising on cross-border matters and structured trade finance work, and Sean Lederman is reputed for his specialist expertise in aircraft financings. Johann Basson advises lenders and borrowers on acquisition finance and trade finance matters, and Jessica Blumenthal is very experienced in assisting financial services regulatory issues. Deborah Carmichael has an excellent track record in handling instructions relating to corporate and acquisition finance. Alex Taylor‘s workload includes sustainability-linked finance and preference share funding mandates.

At Webber Wentzel, the banking and finance team has solid experience in advising on debt capital markets matters, which are a core area of strength for Lindi Marais. The group is also well-versed in handling debt finance mandates for banks and development finance institutions. Marais co-heads the practice with Khurshid Fazel, who is sought after by borrowers and lenders to advise on acquisition financing, restructuring and leveraged finance work. Preference share funding transactions are prominent in Kathy Shepherd‘s workload, and Rashaad Carrim brings expertise in advising on transactions in the mining sector.

Led by Mashudu Mphafudi , the banking and finance practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has an excellent track record in assisting state-owned enterprises and prominent banks with cross-border transactions, often involving equity and debt capital markets matters; Ludwig Smith has particular expertise in the latter area. Mbali Khumalo is well versed in representing borrowers, investment banks, issuers and development finance institutions in a broad range of transactions. Kuda Chimedza‘s practice takes in project and corporate finance matters, and Michael Bailey brings experience in advising on private equity transactions. Jess Reid left the firm to take up an in-house position in July 2024.

The banking and finance team at Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc has a solid track record in handling refinancing, acquisition finance, sustainability-linked loans, and preference share funding work. Practice head Jackie Midlane ‘brings a huge depth of experience in banking and finance in the renewable energy sector‘, and Raghemah Hendricks is a key contact for real estate finance mandates. Desiree Reddy is well-versed in financial regulatory issues and central bank digital currencies, and Steve Chemaly has expertise in assisting with leveraged debt restructurings and commodity finance matters. Corporate and mezzanine finance are core areas of strength for Izak Lessing, and Olivia Radford assists borrowers, commercial banks, and development finance institutions with domestic and cross-border transactions.

At Werksmans Attorneys, the banking and finance team stands out for its ‘exceptional depth of knowledge and experience in structured finance, with a particular focus on debt capital markets and securitisations‘. Department head Elliott Wood acts for borrowers and major financial institutions, and has particular expertise in advising on bilateral and syndicated funding structures. Debt capital markets work is a core area of strength for Richard Roothman, and the ‘world-class‘ Jenni Darling ‘operates efficiently, is always available and her delivery is exceptional‘. Lynsey Watson has experience in representing banks in multi-jurisdictional transactions, while Clarisa Laltha assists with preference share transactions. James Wewege provides support on debt and preference share funding matters.

Led by the ‘extremely efficient‘ Lionel Shawe, White & Case LLP‘s practice has an excellent reputation for its strength in debt finance and capital markets work. The group has a solid track record in assisting international and domestic financial institutions and banks with sustainability-linked credit facilities, revolving credit facilities, sovereign guaranteed financing and credit derivatives matters. Lindani Mthembu is a key practitioner for cross-border transactions and often acts for mining, real estate, telecoms, and retail entities. Alex Cullinan specialises in handling syndicated lending mandates and restructurings, while Sibusiso Zungu is versed in commodity finance.

Riza Moosa heads CMS South Africa’s banking and finance team, which advises clients in the infrastructure and financial services sectors on high-value refinancing, development finance, and project finance mandates. Andre van den Berg has extensive experience in handling acquisition, leverage and syndicated financings, asset financing, and real estate financing matters. Karabo Kanapi is active on corporate finance mandates and multi-jurisdictional transactional work.

Under the leadership of Jackie Pennington and Nick Grootes, DLA Piper‘s team is adept at advising on a wide spectrum of banking and finance matters. Pennington is a key contact for borrower and lender clients, and regularly advises on domestic and cross-border financing transactions, while Grootes is well-versed in acting for major South African banks. Nick Goldberg is experienced in handling preference share funding and asset and leveraged financings, while Bridget King is sought after for her expertise in repo and derivatives transactions. Pride Jani left the firm in December 2023, and Jamie Macdonald left the firm for an in-house role in October 2024.