Zara Jamal is a Partner at Abreu Advogados and at JLA Advogados, Abreu Advogados’ associate firm in Mozambique, where she has been a key member of the leadership team since 2014. With a practice focused on international project finance, she is widely recognised for her deep sector knowledge and ability to guide multinational clients through complex transactions in Mozambique.

Her work spans banking, insurance, real estate, agriculture and energy, where she regularly advises on cross-border financing, corporate structuring and regulatory compliance. Zara also brings unique expertise in Islamic Banking, having played an instrumental role in facilitating the first Murabaha transaction in Mozambique—a landmark achievement in the country’s financial sector.

Known for her strong technical insight and practical approach to problem-solving, she supports foreign investors, financial institutions and project developers operating in some of Mozambique’s most dynamic industries.

Practice Areas

• Project Finance
• Banking & Finance Law
• Corporate & Commercial Law
• Regulatory and Compliance Advisory
• Insurance, Real Estate, Agriculture and Energy Sectors
• Islamic Banking (including Murabaha structures)
• Cross-border Transactions in Mozambique

Professional Experience

• Partner at Abreu Advogados since 2016 and at JLA Advogados (Mozambique) since 2014.
• Advises multinational companies and financial institutions on international project financing in Mozambique.
• Deep experience in banking and financial regulatory matters, including structuring and negotiating complex finance transactions.
• Advises on corporate and commercial operations involving foreign investment and sector-specific regulatory frameworks.
• Significant involvement in the development of Islamic Banking in Mozambique, including advising on and facilitating the country’s first Murabaha transaction.
• Regularly supports clients operating in the energy, agriculture, insurance and real estate sectors.

Education & Qualifications

• Portuguese Catholic University, Faculty of Law – Law Degree (2006)
• University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law – Postgraduate in Information Society Law (2008)
• Institute for Economic, Fiscal and Tax Law (IDEFF) – Postgraduate in Competition Law & Regulation (2009)
• University of Lisbon, Faculty of Law – Postgraduate in Intellectual Property (2010)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Dubrovnik – Postgraduate in Intellectual Property (2011)
• London School of Business and Finance – Postgraduate in Islamic Banking & Finance (2012)
• St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University – Postgraduate in International Finance Law (2017)

Notable Matters / Representative Work

• Advised on major international project finance transactions across the banking, real estate, agriculture and energy sectors.
• Key legal advisor in Mozambique’s first Murabaha financing, paving the way for Islamic Banking operations in the local market.
• Counselled international investors and lenders on financing structures, regulatory compliance and security packages for large-scale projects.
• Provided legal support to multinational companies entering or expanding operations in Mozambique’s regulated industries.
• Assisted in negotiating banking, finance, and corporate governance frameworks for cross-border transactions involving foreign sponsors and investment entities.

Publications & Speaking Engagements

• Co-author of the book: Innovation, Development, and Compliance in a Changing Financial Sector – Escolar Editora (2023);
• Co-author of the book: Mozambique Arbitration, Conciliation, and Mediation Law – Annotated – Escolar Editora (2023);
• Co-author of the book: Innovation, Development and Compliance in a Changing Financial Sector (2024);
• Co-author of the book: Local Content in Oil and Gas – A Practical Guide from Design to Implementation (2025);
• Zara Jamal moderated the roundtable “Central Bank Digital Currency: Opportunities and Challenges – The Case of Mozambique and the Digital Euro Project” during the launch of the book Innovation, Development and Compliance in a Changing Financial Sector (2024);
• Zara Jamal was a speaker on the panel dedicated to the challenges and opportunities for the M&A operations sector in Africa at LEX Africa 2024 Annual General Meeting (2024);
• Zara Jamal participated as a speaker at the first Provincial Advocacy Symposium, held at the IPAJ Headquarters Building in Maputo, under the theme “Advocacy in Evolution: Training, Freedoms, and Technologies” (2025), and signed an article in partnership with LEX Africa;
• Zara Jamal moderated the panel “Regulation and Governance for an Innovative Financial Ecosystem”, held in Maputo as part of Mozambique Fintech Week’25 (2025);
• Zara Jamal participated as a speaker on the panel “Sustainable Finance: New Frontiers for African Lawyers” at the Biennial IBA African Regional Forum Conference (2025);
• Zara Jamal participated as a moderator at LEX Africa 2025 Annual General Meeting, on the panels “Doing Business in Mozambique” and “Dubai as the New Hub for African Investments” (2025).

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

• Mozambique Bar Association;
• Portuguese Bar Association;
• International Bar Association;
• Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC);
• Arbitration and Mediation Center of Mozambique;
• International Association of Young Portuguese-Speaking Lawyers;
• Mozambican Industrial Property Institute and ARIPO;
• Mozambican Fintech Association. 

Awards & Rankings

• Chambers and Partners (2021): General Business Law in Mozambique – Band 3;
• Chambers and Partners (2022): General Business Law in Mozambique – Band 3;
• Chambers and Partners (2023): General Business Law in Mozambique – Band 3;
• Chambers and Partners (2024): General Business Law in Mozambique – Band 2;
• Chambers and Partners (2025): General Business Law in Mozambique – Band 2;
• IFLR1000 (2021): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A – Highly Regarded
• IFLR1000 (2022): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A – Highly Regarded
• IFLR1000 (2023): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A – Highly Regarded
• IFLR1000 (2024): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A – Highly Regarded
• IFLR1000 (2025): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A – Highly Regarded
• IFLR1000 (2025): Banking & Finance, Corporate and M&A, Project Finance – Highly Regarded, Women Leader;
• Legal 500 (2023): Mozambique: Foreign Law Firms – Leading Individual;
• Legal 500 (2024): Mozambique: Local Law Firms – Leading Individual;
• Legal 500 (2025): Mozambique: Local Law Firms – Leading Individual;
• Best Lawyers (2020): M&A – Recognized;
• Best Lawyers (2021): Mergers and Acquisitions Law – Recognized;
• Best Lawyers (2022): M&A – Recognised;
• Best Lawyers (2023): M&A – Recognised;
• Best Lawyers (2024): M&A – Recognised.
• 40 under Forty: Iberian Lawyer (2019) – Winner