The office will be led by Adam Lovett, a director at the firm’s South Africa office with particular expertise in local law and business. The firm has also hired Tanzanian lawyer Angela Mndolwa, formerly of fellow English firm Clyde & Co in Dar Es Salaam, as a partner.

Cementing presence

According to a statement, the Norton Rose office will focus on the financial institutions, energy, infrastructure, mining and commodities, and the transport industry in response to strong domestic demand and growing international investment. The firm is now active in 40 African jurisdictions, and already has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Casablanca with some 260 lawyers, including almost 100 partners.
Rob Otty, managing director in South Africa, commented: ‘After long experience with our own lawyers in Tanzania, it makes sense to cement our presence by opening a full Norton Rose office. Our model is to invest in people and to develop our own corporate culture in the countries in which we operate.’
Mr Lovett added: ‘Tanzania’s location makes it a natural hub for business seeking to invest not only in the abundant mineral, agricultural and energy resources of the East African region, but also the growing market of close to half a million consumers in the land-locked countries of East and Southern Africa that are accessed through Tanzanian ports, road and rail networks.’