Establishment & Purpose
Established in 1993, LEX Africa is an Alliance of leading African law firms established for the purpose of advising local and international clients on their trade, business, investment and other activities in Africa.
Premier Legal Alliance
We are proud to be the first and largest African legal Alliance with a Pan African legal team of more than 600 lawyers in over 30 African countries providing a “one stop shop” for cross-border and local African legal solutions for our clients. Our track record speaks to our experience, expertise and success for over 30 years including being consistently ranked as a Band 1 Leading regional law firm network by Chambers and Partners.
Enduring Commitment
We provide world class legal services and aim to strengthen existing (and develop new) relationships and friendships between our lawyers and with our clients.
Overview of LEX Africa
Our Mission
To continue to develop and strengthen our Pan African legal team through best legal practice and attracting, developing and promoting world-class legal skills in Africa.
Expertise and Experience
We commit to provide our clients with African legal solutions of the highest quality and expertise. LEX Africa has an established track record of advising and assisting clients in Africa for over 30 years.
Integrity
We conduct all our dealings in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.
Diversity
LEX Africa reflects the rich diversity of languages, customs and cultures in Africa. Our members are fully equipped to advise clients on local business etiquette, customs and cultural practices to facilitate successful outcomes for our clients.
Constant Innovation
We proactively adapt to new technological and other developments and provide innovative solutions for our clients having regard to changing laws, regulations and the investment and business environment. LEX Africa’s lawyers are respected for their deep experience, dedication and expertise.
Social Responsibility
LEX Africa and its lawyers strive to be good corporate citizens including by providing pro bono legal advice and implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. As lawyers, we have an important role to play in contributing to the socio-economic development of our Continent and supporting the Rule of Law.
Leadership
LEX Africa and its lawyers strive to be ambassadors for their country and the continent as well as role models and leaders in the legal profession in their home countries.
Community
Our lawyers share similar values and are colleagues and friends bound by a common Pan-African vision and strong professional relationships and friendships.
Recognition and Awards
LEX Africa was declared the winner of the African Network/Alliance of the Year for 2020 at the African Legal Awards. Africa’s legal community was celebrated over a virtual awards ceremony on 17 September 2020.Â
LEX Africa was once again declared the African Network/Alliance of the Year at the 10th African Legal Awards ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa on 1 September 2023.
LEX Africa continues to be recognised by Chambers and Partners as a Leading Regional Law Firm Network (Legal Network) and ranked in Band 1.
Leadership of LEX Africa
LEX Africa’s experts, known for their deep experience and dedication, offer innovative solutions to complex legal challenges across the continent and beyond, always prepared to assist you.
Pieter Steyn
Pieter is the Chairperson of LEX Africa and a Director at South African member Werksmans. He specialises in corporate/commercial law, M&A, competition law, Black Economic Empowerment and African business, trade and investment. “I strongly believe in the future of Africa and the role lawyers and the Rule of Law can play to build a stronger Continent.”
Céleste Oates
Appointed manager of LEX Africa in 2007, Céleste is proud of the Alliance’s commitment to deliver legal excellence across the continent as the legal landscape in Africa embraces growth and transformation with a strong emphasis on strengthening the rule of law.
Management Committee
LEX Africa is managed by a management committee (MANCO) elected annually by members at an annual general meeting (AGM) held in a different African country every year. Along with Pieter Steyn (Chairperson) and Céleste Oates (Manager), MANCO 2024/25 representatives are Angola Neuza Melão Dias, Equatorial – Guinea Abraham Abia, Cote d’Ivoire – Colette Kacoutie, DRC – Pathy Liongo, Eswatini – Zweli Jele, Kenya – Rachel Mbai, Nigeria Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, Mauritius Dev Erriah, Rwanda – Jean Maurice Mugabonabandi, Tanzania Jasbir Mankoo, Uganda – Alice Namuli Blazevic, Zimbabwe – Fidelis Manyuchi.
LEX Africa Legal Hub
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LEX Africa’s experts, known for their deep experience and dedication, offer innovative solutions to complex legal challenges across the continent and beyond, always prepared to assist you.
LEX Africa is a member of the following Chambers of Commerce in South Africa
Africa faces serious developmental and socioeconomic challenges and LEX Africa and its lawyers continue to support charitable and non-governmental organisations working to address such challenges and to provide pro bono legal services. LEX Africa is proud to have supported the following deserving organisations:
Sustainability, transparency, and ethical governance are reshaping how businesses operate across Africa. At LEX Africa, we provide the legal insight organisations need to navigate evolving ESG expectations, from compliance and risk mitigation to responsible governance and long-term value creation. Discover how ESG principles are influencing corporate law and why they matter for your business today.
The focus of the Young Lawyer Initiative is to value and develop LEX Africa’s human resources. The term Young Lawyers refers to candidate attorneys/trainees, associate attorneys and senior associate attorneys.
The primary aims of the Initiative include to:
- Train and develop the skills, expertise and experience of Young Lawyers within the LEX Africa Alliance including with regard to law firm management, marketing and developing their own practice.
- Promote sound recruitment, retention and succession planning policies and practices.
- Strengthen LEX Africa's human resources and Pan-African culture.
The implementation of the Initiative includes:
- An "off the record" mentoring program allowing young lawyers to interact with senior lawyers from other African countries
The LEX Africa exchange program which allows young lawyers to be seconded to other member firms allowing them to gain experience involving another African country’s legal system, practices and experiences training sessions relating to business and practice development and social media marketing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often do the LEX Africa Alliance members meet
An annual general meeting is held in a different African country and hosted by the member in that country each year. Our lawyers also work with and visit each other and meet and participate in conferences, seminars and other events. LEX Africa values the strong professional relationships and friendships which have developed between its lawyers since 1993.
Who manages the Alliance?
LEX Africa has an administrative member, Werksmans, which houses the LEX Africa management office and assists with the administration of LEX Africa. At each annual general meeting, a management committee is elected by members
Do I have to refer work to the Alliance?
LEX Africa does not charge a referral fee and referrals may be routed through the management office or made directly to the relevant member/s.
What are the key practice areas of the Alliance members?
All LEX Africa members focus on all aspects of commercial/corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, dispute resolution and regulatory matters including employment, tax, exchange control, investment funds/private equity, construction, infrastructure and energy, mining, insolvency/business restructuring, oil and gas, environmental, competition/antitrust, healthcare and life sciences, intellectual property, real estate, media/telecommunications and cyberlaw/technology.
Who can join the Alliance?
Only African law firms may join the Alliance.
What are the selection criteria to become a member?
Each member is required to be a leading law firm in its home country and to be committed to LEX Africa, its constitution, code of conduct, values and professional ethics and standards.
Is the Alliance exclusive?
Only one law firm is selected to be a member for each African country.
Any Questions?
Contact us today for any additional information. The more information you provide, the more helpful we can be. Please include which country, law firm, lawyer and practice area your enquiry relates to.
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