Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has kicked off a review of its Africa three-year strategy with a focus on markets driven by energy, mining and infrastructure work.

The firm's core Africa group, which comprises five partners in London headed up by banking disputes partner Segun Osuntokun (pictured), has already identified several key jurisdictions it wants to target, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia.

The firm is also looking at more niche markets such as Cameroon, which has a buoyant mining sector, and Gabon for oil and gas work. In Cameroon, BLP is currently advising new client International Mining and Infrastructure Corporation on its proposed $190m (£120m) acquisition of Afferro Mining.

Osuntokun said: "The key markets for us are those that are fast growing and have sectors driving economic growth such as infrastructure and natural resources." He cited Nigeria as one of the more exciting markets, where the firm is currently talking to investors over the privatisation of the country's power sector and selling power plants to banks.

Rather than having formal alliances with firms in the region, the group is focusing on managing a network of preferred local firms that spans all of its key jurisdictions.

The firm's work in Africa largely revolves around banking and finance, including litigation work for the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Osuntokun added: "As to whether we would look to open up in the region, our approach is to work with local law firms, many of which are able to hold their own against international firms – it's mutually beneficial."

Several other major law firms are currently reviewing their Africa strategies, including Addleshaw Goddard, Pinsent Masons, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Shearman & Sterling.

However, Herbert Smith Freehills last week announced it had decided not to go ahead with a planned office launch in Guinea.