ENSafrica’s ‘highly experienced‘ project development and project finance department is led by Eric le Grange, who garners praise for bringing ‘a wealth of experience in power and infrastructure financing’ to the practice. The team continues to handle a high volume of renewable energy projects, as well as assisting sponsors, contractors, lenders, borrowers and developers with infrastructure development matters within the rail, oil and gas, mining and roads sectors. Lauren Petersen brings expertise in public private partnerships, while Noma Modise advises international financial institutions on the financing of projects within South Africa. Kumeshnie Naidoo acts on infrastructure and project development matters. Loren Tibshraeny, John Ferraz and Sasha Singh are singled out for their contributions. Venetia Govender left the firm in May 2023.

Led by Lara Bezuidenhoudt, the finance and projects team at Fasken has a solid track record in assisting borrowers, lenders, sponsors and government entities with financing high-value mining, energy, infrastructure, transportation, oil and gas and utilities projects. Ashen Jugoo advises lenders and sponsors on public-private partnerships, and has expertise in handling project and infrastructure finance. Simone Bryson works on power and energy sector transactions. Onalerona Phiri assists with renewable energy project agreements. Michal Raviv is a star name in the department.

At Herbert Smith Freehills LLP, the ‘very hands-on‘ energy and projects team is highly regarded for advising on complex, integrated infrastructure and power transactions and projects. Renewable energy mandates form the backbone of the practice, which is led by the ‘solution-driven‘ Brigette Baillie, who stands out for her ‘exceptionally deep legal and commercial knowledge in energy and project finance‘. The ‘extremely efficient‘ Carey-Anne Jennings focuses on public-private partnerships and limited recourse project finance transactions. Biddy Faber has an excellent track record in handling project finance mandates. Busisiwe Sibeko, Ross Lomax and Sarah Burman also stand out for their contributions. Patrick Hirsch was a new arrival in August 2024. Since publication, Nathan Mallinson left the firm.

Bowmans’ project finance practice is led by Shamilah Grimwood-Norley, who heads the firm’s banking and finance department. Grimwood-Norley has ‘deep knowledge of the infrastructure space‘ and acts for sponsors, lenders and government entities in PPP and IPP projects. Daryn Webb and Anton Barnes-Webb are key practitioners in the team. Former co-head Patrick Hirsch has moved to Herbert Smith Freehills LLP.

At Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, oil and gas work remains a key area of instruction for the energy team, which continues to handle M&A, project finance, PPAs, IPP procurement and construction contracts pertaining to embedded and large-scale power generation projects. Infrastructure expert Andrew van Niekerk jointly leads the practice with Megan Rodgers, who specialises in upstream oil and gas matters. Tessa Brewis brings experience in handling M&A and project development matters in relation to renewable energy projects. Anita Moolman advises on public-private partnerships and public sector procurement matters. Amore Carstens also stands out for her contributions.

Project finance is a core pillar of strength in Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc‘s practice, which is equally strong in handling project development mandates for a client base predominantly made up of development finance institutions and international and domestic banks. Department head Jackie Midlane ‘tailors her advice to ensure that one is properly guided‘; she regularly acts for energy, mining and telecoms sector entities. Matt Ash advises lenders, developers, sponsors, equity financiers and contractors on infrastructure and energy projects. Raghemah Hendricks and Devan Falconer are also singled out for their expertise in project finance.

Claire Barclay and London-based Apicksha Patel jointly lead the ‘very responsive‘ finance and projects team at Pinsent Masons LLP. Barclay is well known for her expertise in assisting developers, sponsors, development finance institutions and governments with infrastructure project mandates spanning the African continent. Construction expert Jurg Van Dyk advises clients in the renewable energy sector; Emma Roberts has extensive experience in offtake agreements, power purchase agreements, and infrastructure development matters. Themba Chauke is active in contentious energy and infrastructure work.

Werksmans Attorneys‘ projects and infrastructure practice houses ‘a well rounded team with extensive expertise‘. IPP and PPP procurement projects have been prominent in the group’s workload, and the department has a solid track record in handling infrastructure projects across the water, mining, energy, defence, road and rail sectors. Practice head Chris Moraitis has experience in advising on infrastructure project matters and public-private partnerships, and leverages his expertise in banking to assist with project and limited resource financing matters. Astrid Berman advises on all areas of infrastructure projects. Jonathan Behr‘s expertise spans private IPP projects, project development matters and energy-focused financing transactions.

A&O Shearman‘s practice is completely integrated within the firm’s global projects group, and has been kept busy advising energy, infrastructure, mining and financial services clients on high-value project financings. Department head Alexandra Clüver is ‘a fantastic leader‘ with an excellent reputation for assisting clients in the energy sector with project development and finance matters. Alessandra Pardini is a key name for power purchase agreements, and Alexandra Felekis handles project and infrastructure finance work. Mongezi Dladla, Danielle van der Vaart, and Lucia Selaelo are singled out for their contributions.

At Webber Wentzel, the project finance and development practice continues to advise developers, sponsors and lenders on the procurement and financing aspects of natural resources, infrastructure and energy projects. Department head Jason Van Der Poel regularly handles power purchases agreements, limited recourse project financings, and public-private partnerships. Janine Lamb brings expertise in acquisition and leveraged finance and syndicated loans, and Hielien Venter is well versed in advising on infrastructure projects. Makgati Makgatho assists with public-private partnerships relating to prominent infrastructure projects.