Dentons is opening in South Africa through a tie-up with associate firm KapdiTwala.

The move gives Dentons an office in Cape Town. The firm has said it also plans to open in Johannesburg, as well as an undisclosed jurisdiction in francophone Africa, later this year.

The merger has meant that Dentons has parted ways with another South African associate firm, Johannesburg-based Glyn Marais. It had initially teamed up with the firm in 2009.

A spokesperson for Dentons said: "We will bringing our association with Glynn Marais to a close but will continue to have a good working relationship with them."

KapdiTwala, which will now trade as Dentons, formed an association with Dentons in 2012. The tie-up marks the first international merger with a Level 1 Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) firm. It will remain fully owned by local partners and continue to be led by managing director Noor Kapdi.

The tie-up is expected to provide a boost to Dentons' African energy practice.

The firm is staffed by four partners, one associate and two trainees, with one Dentons London senior associate continuing her secondment in Cape Town. The firm focuses on energy, natural resources and infrastructure.

Dentons global CEO Elliott Portnoy said: "With some of the most dynamic economies in the world today, Africa is a priority region for Dentons. Our goal is to connect clients in Africa to our strong practices around the globe and to connect clients from around the world to top-tier lawyers in Africa."

UKMEA CEO Matthew Jones added: "[The] announcement represents the next exciting chapter in a relationship between Dentons and Africa that now spans 50 years.

"Africa presents some of the most dynamic and fastest-growing markets in the world and is an increasingly important focus for many of our clients."

Dentons has a network of 20 associate offices across the continent. Other firms with widespread referral networks in Africa include Eversheds, which recently expanded to 33 member firms, DLA Piper and Baker & McKenzie.