Eversheds has secured its first presence in Africa following after agreeing a tie-up with South African firm Routledge Modise.

The agreement, which goes live today (14 April), brings the Johannesburg-based practice, which has 60 partners, under the Eversheds International banner.

The two firms already share some clients and have worked together on a number of projects.

Commenting on the news, Eversheds chairman Alan Jenkins said: "Johannesburg is South Africa's most important commercial, financial and legal centre and by joining with Routledge Modise we will be able to offer our clients – many of whom already have operations in South Africa – market-leading support.

"This is a very exciting move and the fit of our firms is extremely good. The combination of Routledge's strength in South Africa and the Eversheds International group of offices will offer very exciting growth opportunities."

Routledge Modise chairman Terry Mahon said: "South Africa's economy is very strong with a rapidly expanding internal market as well as attracting substantial foreign interest and investment. By working as part of Eversheds International we will be able to offer our customers a substantially improved service drawing on the global expertise that sits within Eversheds."

The news comes after Eversheds earlier this month formally strengthened ties with its Baltic allies, with the UK giant's affiliated firms in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania becoming full members of the Eversheds International network.