Practices & Industries

Our experience in Energy Law

– Currently assisting in collaboration with Andrew Kurth Kenyon LLP (Beijing Office), China Three Gorges International and its Sister Company China International Water and Electronic Corp in a Hydropower Project (Grand Eweng) in Cameroon. We are currently carrying out the due diligence.

– Our Firm is currently working in the Nachtigal hydropower project in collaboration with Herbert Smith Freehills Law Firm in Paris. The Nachtigal Project relates to the construction of 420 MW hydroelectric dam over the Sanaga River involving EDF International, IFC and the Government of Cameroon. As Local Counsel for the project, our Firm was particularly involved in the following tasks:

Opinion on legal and regulatory requirements notably guarantees and insurance in construction.
Opinion on the declaration of public utility and consents and authorizations required for the construction of a dam.
Opinion on the legal status of transmission lines (Equipments and structures).
Opinion on the possibility to use land and equipment relating to the concession as collateral.
Opinion on the granting of a concession without the Tender process.
Opinion on the laws regulating urbanization and construction.
Opinion on the establishment of passage ways around the concession area.
The preparation of all the corporate documents relating to the incorporation of the project company.
Review and analysis of the Shareholder’s Agreement

 – Our firm is currently assisting BERKELEY ENERGY CAMEROON who is currently developing four hydropower stations in the South-West Region of Cameroon which might generate a total off about 100 MW.

– Currently assisting IED INVEST CAMEROUN, a Subsidiary of the French Company IED INVEST SAS in the development of a 1,4 MW hydropower project in Mbakaou (Adamaoua Region).

– Worked in collaboration with Skadden Arps Law Firm in Washington for and an behalf of First Solar in New Jersey in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project in Cameroon relating to the production of 500MW of Solar Energy. Within the framework of this project, our Firm acted as Legal Counsel and was particularly involved in the following tasks:

Initial due diligence relating to the legal and regulatory framework for the transaction;
A review of the protocol agreement signed between the project developer and the Ministry of water and energy of Cameroon;
A review of the entire project to ascertain the most appropriate vehicle (private producer, PPP)
Review of the power production agreement (Contrat de Services)
Review of the terms and conditions relating to the power production agreement (Cahier de Charges);
Negotiations with various government ministries (Ministry of water and energy, Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Lands, Ministry of Environment, etc…) and the Regulator relating to the issuance of relevant licenses and authorizations and environmental issues;
Discussions with Electricity Development Corporation (EDC), AES SONEL and the Regulator relating to connection to the grid.

– In the year 2010, our firm worked in collaboration with WHITE & CASE Paris for and on behalf of International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other lenders for the financing of a power project in Cameroon. Our firm as local counsel had to review the following documents:

Connection installation agreement;
Tolling agreement;
Assistance and services agreement;
Direct agreement;
Multiparty arbitration agreement;
Contrat de licence de vente d’électricité
Convention d’engagement between the Republic of Cameroon and the other stakeholders ;
Contrat de license de production indépendante d’électricité.

Our experience in Telecoms

We have prepared a Due Diligence Report for Reliance Communication in India on the Corporate and transaction documents in connection with the privatisation of CAMTEL, the State owned Telecom Company in Cameroon.

• Assisted a Lebanese Company in its bid to acquire the Cameroon Telecoms Corporations (CAMTEL).
• Advised a French firm on the basic Laws on Telecom in Cameroon, the role of the Regulator and the effectiveness of interconnection Agreements between Telecom Providers.
• Our Firm is a Major contributor since the year 2001 to a Euromoney Publication ‘’Telecoms Media and Technology Finance Review’’ which publishes aspects of Telecoms Law in various parts of the world. Our 2004 article was on the provision of Telecoms Services in Cameroon by individuals and Corporate entities. Our 2005 article will focused on ‘’Telecoms Contracts in Cameroon – The Reality of Outsourcing’’.
• In the year 2003, we handled a referral assignment for a British Law Firm Linklaters on behalf of British Telecoms in connection with fair competition in the telecoms business in Cameroon and the role of the Regulator.

Assisting Goldman Sachs on some issues relating to their metal trading. Activities in Cameroon.
Due diligence of some subsidiaries of Rio Tinto on behalf of BHP Billiton in their bid to acquire Rio Tinto. This assignment was done in collaboration with Slaughter and May, London.
Advising Global Mining (a Canadian Company) on some aspects of Taxation and Mining Law in Cameroon.
Our Firm worked in collaboration with Norton Rose in London in preparing a comprehensive overview of Mining Law and operations in Cameroon.
Incorporation and processing of exploration permits for Aus-Cam Mining and Mayo-Darle Mines of Cameroon,
Advised NU ENERGY Corporation Cameroon, a subsidiary of NU ENERGY London on various issues relating to the Cameroon Mining Code.
Advising African Aura Resources Limited and its Affiliated Companies on their obligations arising from various Mining Permits and also preparation of Due Diligence Reports for these Companies in connection with requirements for raising capital in Stock Markets.
Acting as Counsel for Resource Capital Group Cameroon Limited (a mining Company) owned by Nickel Resources Limited (a Canadian Company)
In April 2011, we prepared an overview of the Legal and Regulatory Requirements imposed on Mining Companies at the request of Webber Wentzel in Johannesburg.
In May 2011, we prepared a Due Diligence Report for a Mining Company for the purpose of raising funds in some alternative investment markets in Canada.
We have also advised potential investors in the Mining sector on the requirements for a Mining Convention under the Cameroon Mining Code and also change of control issues.
We constantly advise clients on the requirement for the maintenance of mining permits in good standing.
Our Firm currently acts as Legal Counsel in Cameroon for the following mining companies :
West African Minerals.
Compagnie Minière du Cameroun (CMC).
Afferro Mining.
Ridgeway Mining Resources.
High Country Investments Ltd which owns a 100% interest in several Mining Companies in Cameroon including Zamba Holdings, Zamba Minerals SA, Camus Resources SA and Bauxite Mining SA.

In collaboration with Holman Fennick William assisted British Petroleum on some issues relating to transactions over crude oil.
Currently assisting Wison Group, a Chinese EPC Company in a Pipeline Project in Cameroon.
Due Diligence on Texaco Cameroon. This assignment was done in collaboration with Aluko Oyebode in Lagos.
Review of a Petroleum sharing contracts and Participating Agreement for a Major U.S Corporation which intends to get into Petroleum Exploration in Cameroon.
Reviewed some Oil contracts for Plains Marketing, an Oil Company in Houston.
Assisted Kosmos Energy in the negotiations and preparation of the Petroleum sharing contract which they signed with the National Hydrocarbons Corporation and the Government of Cameroon.
Assisted Glencore in the negotiations for the Petroleum sharing contract which they signed with the Government of Cameroon.
Conducted a Due Diligence Exercise for Norst Hydro on Euroil Cameron in their bid to purchase partial interest of Bowleven in Euroil.
Advised Bramlim, a British Petroleum Company on a farm in Agreement with Rodeo relating to a concession in Cameroon.
Advised Victoria Oil and Gas relating to some acquisition in Cameroon and subsequently worked on a Due Diligence Exercise for the purposes of raising funds in the Alternative Investment Market in London.
We constantly advise companies on vital aspects of the Cameroon Petroleum Code and Petroleum Regulations, change of control issues and considerations for the extension of exploration permits.
We advised a Chinese Company in collaboration with Vinson & Elkins Shangai in their bid to acquire an interest in some operating entities in Cameroon.
Our Firm is a member and representative of the Association of Oil and Gas Lawyers in Cameroon.

Assisted McQuarie Bank in carrying out a due diligence on environment liability risks associated with trading (including storing and carrying) some commodities in Cameroon.
We conducted a similar assignment for ICBC in collaboration with Holman Fennick William.
Worked in collaboration with Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Office. In an assignment relating to Environmental Law concerning Oil Spill Liability on Cameroon Waters.
We equally worked with others Experts and conducted an Environmental impact assessment on behalf of Camwater Cameroon. The national Company in charge of production and distribution of domestic water.
We worked in collaboration with a London based Law Firm WALTON & MORSE following the collision of a ship (CAM DOUSSIE) with another ship (PUERTO SANTONA) off the coast of Spain.

We were retained to do the legal and tax audit of the National Produce Marketing Board which was being liquidated by the Price Water House.
We acted for several years as Local representative of Arthur Andersen (Tax and legal) in Cameroon until the closure of their offices worldwide. During our relationship with Arthur Andersen, we handled several tax and legal assignments in Cameroon, Gabon, Chad, Congo Democratic Republic and Central African Republic including asset purchase transactions in Equatorial Guinea.
Our Firm acted as external Counsel for Price Water House Coopers Cameroon until the merger was dissolved.
In the year 2003/2004, we carried out a Due Diligence exercise (Identify Tax and Legal problems) on the instructions of the London Office of Vinson & Elkins for its client Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian Oil Company, which envisaged doing business with Euroil, a Cameroonian Company.

Reviewing Cameroon’s Aviation Laws and affecting a Due Diligence exercise on Cameroon Airlines for and on behalf of Kenya Airways in its bid to acquire Cameroon Airlines. This assignment also involved the review of all the transaction documents and an evaluation of the information memorandum on Cameroon Airlines and the privatisation process prepared by the Government of Cameroon and the International Finance Corporation (as Financial Advisors to the Government).
Worked in collaboration with the London based Law Firm Denton Wilde Sapte and Deloitte and Touche in advising the Government of Cameroon in the initial privatisation of Cameroon Airlines. This was a World Bank assignment.
We worked in collaboration with Allen & Overy Amsterdam in the review of some Air Leasing Agreement with Anset Worldwide.
We prepared the Due Diligence Report for Kenya Airways and assisted at Bidder’s conferences in their bid to acquire 50% shares in Cameroon Airlines.
We presently act as Legal Counsel for the following Companies :
Kenya Airways
Ethiopian Airlines
Bellview Airlines
CHC Helicopters Cameroon S.A
National Airways Cameroon (NACAM)