Weil Gotshal & Manges' London arm has been instructed on a high-profile fundraising for 8 Miles, the Africa-focused private equity house headed by Bob Geldof.

Weil Gotshal recruit Ed Gander – who recently joined the US law firm alongside three other Clifford Chance (CC) partners – has taken the lead role for 8 Miles, a client that has been transferred from CC.

The private equity house was launched last year by the musician and campaigner alongside former Doughty Hanson executive Mark Florman and Cinven's Gordon Moore. The fund aims to become one of the largest private equity investors in Africa.

8 Miles, named after the shortest distance between Europe and Africa, raised around $200m (£127m) in closing its first fund and hopes to ultimately secure around $450m (£283m) to invest. The team intends to make about 20 investments of between $15m (£9.5m) and $80m (£51m) in agribusinesses, financial services and telecommunications.

The fund has secured financial backing from the African Development Bank and the International Finance Corporation, the World Bank's private sector arm.

The venture reflects rising interest in Africa from the private equity community, with a number of houses, including Carlyle Group and Helios Investments Partners, also raising funds targeted at the continent's growing economy.

The client will be seen as a notable addition to Weil Gotshal's City funds team, which was dramatically bolstered by last summer's recruitment of four partners from CC.

Benson's fellow private funds recruit Nick Benson has successfully transitioned his role on BC Partners' $8.6bn (£5.5bn) fundraising from CC to Weil Gotshal, though CC has retained a role.