Overview
FBL ADVOGADOS is the result of the 2004 merger of three of the main Angolan law offices that have been practicing law on an individual basis for several years. The firm´s main office is in Luanda’s city centre, at street Cirilo da Conceição Silva, 12/20, 2nd floor, Kitanda Building, nearby Angola Central Bank (BNA), downtown Luanda, and its lawyers provide legal services all over the Angolan territory. FBL Advogados undertakes to provide legal services to its clients in an independent, rigorous and prompt manner, repudiating any political, economical, religious or other kind of bias.
FBL Advogados promotes a personal relationship with its clients, to provide them global counselling, taking a multidisciplinary approach to the client’s business. To address the needs and concerns of its clients, which main activities are developed beyond Angolan frontiers, FBL Advogados works in partnership and collaboration with African, Asian, European and American law firms. FBL Advogados is a proud member of LEX Africa Alliance.
Practice Areas
- Corporate Law, Real Estate and Private Investment
- Financial and Banking Law
- Civil and Commercial and Civil Litigation
- Collection Litigation
- Criminal Litigation
- Administrative and Fiscal Litigation
- Labor
- Natural Resources Law
Highlights
FBL is still one of the most experienced and recommended Angolan law firm. As a result, for the fourth year in a row FBL was ranked as Band 1 by Chambers & Partners and as Tier 1 by Legal 500
Achievements
In the last 1 – 3 years
Over the past three years, FBL Advogados has continued to consolidate its position as one of Angola’s leading law firms, marked by strategic growth, international recognition, and a strong commitment to legal excellence across sectors.
In 2022, the firm was nominated in two categories at the African Legal Awards: African Law Firm of the Year – Small Practice and Most Promising Newcomer – Private Practice, reflecting its growing prominence in the region. That same year, FBL continued to be the exclusive Angola member of LEX Africa, the largest African legal network, further expanding its international reach and capabilities.
Throughout 2023, FBL Advogados was recognised by IFLR1000, particularly in Project Development, and reaffirmed its status in global directories such as Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. The firm’s lawyers were also active contributors to legal thought leadership, publishing articles on economic diversification, tourism law, and the role of startups in Angola. In partnership with Abreu Advogados, FBL strengthened its support for cross-border clients via the Angola Desk.
In 2024, FBL moved its headquarters to the heart of Luanda, at Kitanda Plaza, a move that marked a new chapter in client service and accessibility. Later that year, the firm co-hosted a major international conference titled “The Lobito Corridor: Impacts on Angola and Sub-Saharan Africa”, in collaboration with Abreu Advogados and LEX Africa, bringing together over 250 participants from across industries and jurisdictions. In addition, FBL was shortlisted once again at the IFLR Africa Awards 2024 under the category National Law Firm of the Year – Angola.
In 2025, the firm maintained its upward trajectory. João Bravo da Costa was nominated as Partner of the Year – Southern Africa at the African Legal Awards. FBL also played a key role in high-level legal discussions, including Angola’s adherence to the Montreal Convention, regulatory updates on non-resident foreign workers, and the new framework for labour infractions under Presidential Decree 50/25. Senior Partner Victor Ceita was a speaker at the International Conference on Corporate Recovery and Insolvency, held in Luanda in July 2025. The firm’s commitment to professional excellence and sectoral insight has continued to be acknowledged in legal rankings across Chambers & Partners, IFLR1000, and Legal 500.
Through strategic partnerships, such as its affiliation with Grimaldi Alliance, and its ever-growing team of recognised professionals, FBL Advogados remains at the forefront of legal practice in Angola — driving innovation, integrity, and impact in a rapidly evolving legal and economic landscape.
In general
FBL Advogados has been involved in several high-profile and strategic matters that have shaped its reputation as a trusted legal advisor in Angola. These matters span key sectors of the Angolan economy, including energy, infrastructure, natural resources, banking, and regulatory reform, and continue to reflect the firm’s depth of expertise and cross-sectoral impact.
FBL has advised international investors and financial institutions in complex cross-border M&A transactions, particularly in the energy and natural resources sector. These transactions often required intricate legal structuring, negotiation with government authorities, and alignment with Angola’s Local Content Regulations and Foreign Investment Laws.
In the banking and finance sector, the firm has acted on behalf of both domestic and international banks in matters involving compliance with foreign exchange regulations, debt restructuring, and the implementation of new financial instruments within the scope of the National Bank of Angola’s reforms. These include recent advisory roles regarding the legal treatment of crypto-assets and digital payments in the Angolan market.
FBL has provided legal support in the oil & gas and mining sectors, including due diligence, contractual structuring, and ongoing regulatory assistance. Notably, the firm has worked alongside foreign law firms and investment houses to facilitate strategic joint ventures and the negotiation of production sharing agreements (PSAs), ensuring alignment with Angola’s Petroleum Activities Law.
The firm has also played an active role in matters related to insolvency and corporate recovery, contributing both legally and intellectually through participation in legislative consultations and high-level conferences, such as the International Conference on Corporate Recovery and Insolvency in Luanda (2025).
In addition, FBL has consistently supported startups and SMEs through legal advisory on corporate governance, intellectual property, and venture financing — contributing to Angola’s broader economic diversification goals.
These matters — each complex, often cross-border in nature, and highly impactful — have not only deepened FBL’s legal expertise but also enhanced its visibility and credibility within the international legal community. They continue to serve as cornerstones of the firm’s long-term growth, while reinforcing its reputation as a legal partner of choice for both private and institutional clients operating in Angola and beyond.
Recognitions
Chambers and Partners (Global) recognised FBL Advogados in General Commercial Law in Angola as Band 1.
The Legal 500 highlights FBL Advogados as Tier 2 among the Local Firms (Angola).
FBL Advogados was included in the list of the 50 largest law firms of the year in the African market, in a ranking promoted by Law.com International, in partnership with Africa Legal.
