Egypt

Insight | Legal Alert

Initial practical insights on the new pre-merger control regime in Egypt

On 4 April 2024, the Executive Regulation of the new Egyptian pre-merger control regime was officially published by Prime Minister Decree No. 1120 of 2024.

Overview

As market leaders in mergers and acquisitions, banking, projects and capital markets, we advise clients on some of the most prominent transactions in the Middle East.

Our accomplishments include advising the Arab Republic of Egypt, acting through the Ministry of Finance (MoF), on a landmark USD 3 billion syndicated financing transaction ("Islamic Syndication Deal of the Year Award 2022" at the Bonds, Loans and Sukuk Middle East Awards). Last year, we advised MoF on another USD 2 billion syndicated financing transaction ("Debt Market Deal of the Year 2021" at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Middle East Law Awards, and "Commodity Murabahah/Tawarruq Deal of the Year 2020" at the Islamic Finance News (IFN) Awards).

In project finance, we advised the lenders in relation to the financing of Canal Sugar's project for the development of a large-scale agricultural farm (approximately 188,000 acres) in Minya, Egypt ("Best-Structured Finance Deal in North Africa" at the EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2021).

In M&A, we advised the global healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline Services Unlimited on the separation of its consumer healthcare business to form a global consumer healthcare company (Haleon). We also advised the Swiss construction chemicals group Sika AG on the acquisition of MBCC Group (Master Builders Construction Chemicals), the former BASF Construction Chemicals division, from Lone Star Funds, a global private equity firm, for a consideration of CHF 5.5 billion (EUR 5.2 billion).

In capital markets, we advised Arab Company for Projects and Urban Developments, a subsidiary of Talaat Moustafa Group Holding, on its first sukuk issuance in Egypt with a value of EGP 2 billion with final maturity at the end of 2024 ("Deal of the Year 2020" at the IFN Awards).

The quality of our work is reflected in the number of leading multinational corporations and financial institutions that seek our advice on complex matters and the recognition we regularly receive in the legal industry. In the past decade, we have been named IFLR Egypt's "Law Firm of the Year" six times, while our Cairo office has been ranked Tier 1 by IFLR1000, Legal500 and Chambers & Partners for banking and finance and M&A. Recently, we won "Banking & Finance Team of the Year" at the Middle East Legal Awards 2022, Chambers & Partners Middle East Awards' "Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year in Egypt 2021" and the IFN Awards' "Best Capital Markets Law Firm 2020." With more than 30 years' experience in the local market, we are also the go-to firm for dispute resolution, intellectual property and technology, and media and telecoms. Our Egypt lawyers have deep knowledge of the local legal, business, social and cultural environment, and work closely with colleagues across all of our offices to help clients navigate the intricacies of Egypt's regulatory environment and achieve their global objectives.

Offices

Cairo

Emerald Business Center - Tower A
4th floor, Plot no. B2210
Smart Village, K28 Cairo-Alexandria Road
Giza, Egypt

Tel: +20 2 3537 9722

Local expertise

Our Cairo office offers a range of legal services with a specific focus on M&A, Banking & Finance and Capital Markets. We are ranked one of the best law firms in Egypt in these areas, and our practical, tech-savvy approach to working with clients is fundamental to our success.

With the recent rise in cross-border transactions in Africa, our Antitrust & Competition Group has become even more crucial to clients as they apply for clearance for transactions across multiple jurisdictions and need help responding to dawn raids and cartel investigations.

With lawyers fluent in both English and Arabic, we prepare standard international commercial agreements in either language, including commercial leases and cooperation agreements. In addition to offering Intellectual Property registration and enforcement services, we understand the intricacies of Egypt's market for counterfeit products and have strong relationships with the local police and customs agents to aid in enforcement.

The Legal 500 EMEA, Egypt

Tier 1 – Corporate, Commercial and M&A: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Banking & Finance: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Litigation: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Energy: 2012 to 2022
Tier 1 – Projects & Infrastructure: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Employment: 2017 to 2022

IFLR1000, Egypt

Tier 1 – Banking: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Equity Capital Markets: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – M&A: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Project Finance: 2008 to 2022
Tier 1 – Project Development: 2008 to 2022

Chambers Global, Egypt

Band 1 – Banking & Finance: 2008 to 2022
Band 1 – Corporate/M&A: 2008 to 2022
Band 1 – Projects & Energy: 2022

Awards

Middle East and Africa Wind Deal of the Year (Amunet Wind) - TXF/Proximo MENA 2023
Project Loan Deal of the Year (Canal Sugar) GFC Media's Bonds - Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2023
Global ESG Deal of the Year (Amea Power) - Project Finance International Awards 2022
Pan Africa Best Law Firm (Baker McKenzie) - African Banking Awards 2022
Law Firm of the Year - Legalcommunity MENA Awards 2022
National Firm of the Year – IFLR Middle East Awards 2022
Project Finance Deal of the Year (Canal Sugar) – IFLR Middle East Awards 2022
Project Finance Team of the Year (Canal Sugar) – IFLR Middle East Awards 2022
Banking & Finance Team of the Year (Egypt MoF sustainable financing) – the Middle East Legal Awards 2022
Islamic Syndication Deal of the Year (Egypt MoF sustainable financing) – the Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Middle East Awards 2022
Solar Deal of the Year (Kom Ombo Solar) 2021 – Uxolo the Hague: Global Development Finance Conference in partnership with the GIIN Investor Forum
Best Structured Finance Deal in North Africa (Canal Sugar) – EMEA Finance Achievement Awards 2021
Banking & Finance Law Firm of the Year – Chambers Middle East Awards, 2021
Debt Market Deal of the Year 2021 (Ministry of Finance Egypt) – Asian Legal Business (ALB), 2021
Commodity Murabahah/Tawarruq Deal of the Year (Ministry of Finance Egypt) – Islamic Finance News (IFN), 2020
Deal of the Year (TMG Sukkuk Issuance) – Islamic Finance News (IFN), 2020
Best Capital Markets Law Firm in Egypt – Islamic Finance News (IFN), 2020
Corporate and Finance Law Firm of the Year Award – Chambers Middle East Awards, 2019
Equity Deal of the Year Award 2017 (ADES International) – IFLR Middle East Awards, 2017
Global Multilateral Deal of the Year Award (Egypt Solar) – Project Finance International Magazine, 2017
Deal of the Year Award (EEHC Assiut and West Damietta power plants) – Euromoney Trade Finance Journal, 2017
Finance and Restructuring Team of the Year Award – African Legal Awards, 2015
Egypt National Law Firm of the Year Award – IFLR Middle East Awards 2015
Infrastructure and Project Finance Deal of the Year (Sharkya Sugar) – Islamic Finance News (IFN), 2015
Overall Deal of the Year and Oil and Gas Deal of the Year (ERC) – Infrastructure Journal Awards, 2013
Egypt National Law Firm of the Year Award – IFLR Middle East Awards 2013

We support our lawyers’ professional growth through development programs designed to help them reach their highest potential. Our Development Framework offers our lawyers a roadmap to success by describing the legal skills and personal qualities they need to be successful at every stage of their careers. Our office also has a culture of friendship that extends throughout the Firm.

View career opportunities in Egypt

Key Contacts

Mohamed Ghannam

Partner
- Cairo
+ 20 2 3537 9722 Ext. 110 Email

Initial practical insights on the new pre-merger control regime in Egypt

Overview

Offices

Cairo

Local expertise

Industry knowledge

Key Contacts

Mohamed Ghannam

Mohamed Ghannam

Lamyaa Gadelhak

Ghada El Ehwany

Mohamed El Harmy

Hani Nassef