Five markets earmarked as firm builds out from South Africa; CC also plots expansion

Hogan Lovells is set to broaden its Africa capability, with the firm having already identified five specific markets to target.

The plans, which will be developed over the next two months, will be presented to clients and local firms in target jurisdictions.

The move comes in the wake of Hogan Lovells' combination with South African outfit Routledge Modise last December.

Jeremy Brittenden, head of the Africa practice, said the firm had looked at establishing the network in even more markets across the continent. 

"We have a good dozen markets that are currently looking very promising but we need to take a close, hard look at what is right for us and our clients," he told Legal Week.

"For example, Nigeria might be an obvious choice but it is not that receptive to an international brand on the ground, so the value in opening a presence there may be limited. North Africa, on the other hand, is more receptive, not least because of its proximity to Europe, and deals are increasingly being done on an English law basis. Tunisia has seen a lot of activity, while Egypt and Libya remain significant if volatile markets."

Brittenden would not be drawn on which five jurisdictions would initially be targeted.

The news comes amid increasing interest in expansion across the continent from City firms. Partners at Clifford Chance (CC) have predicted the firm will set up shop in sub-Saharan Africa with an on-the-ground presence within the next 12 months. They have identified Johannesburg, Lagos and Nairobi as the most desirable office locations.

A senior partner at the magic circle firm said South Africa would provide an ideal starting point from which to expand given its position as a gateway to other economies, relative political stability and more sophisticated infrastructure.

CC, which already has an office in Morocco, has long expressed an interest in boosting its presence in key regional hubs. The firm recently made a bid to strengthen ties with relationship firms in Africa when it launched a structured training scheme for local lawyers last September.

For more, see Turning up the heat – South Africa's role as a hub for the wider continent.