Norton Rose Fulbright has signed two strategic alliances in Africa – with Uganda's Shonubi Musoke & Co and Zimbabwe's Gill Godlonton & Gerrans.

The firms will 'collaborate on selected client matters' and provide legal support mainly in the areas of energy and infrastructure.

Norton Rose already has offices in Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Casablanca.

Shonubi Musoke & Co, which has offices in Uganda's Kampala, specialises in energy and mining, oil and gas, as well as corporate, banking and finance. Gill Godlonton & Gerrans is one of the largest corporate law firms in Zimbabwe and is based in Harare.

Rob Otty, managing director of Norton Rose Fulbright in South Africa, said: "Our alliance with Gill Godlonton & Gerrans and Shonubi Musoke & Co Advocates reflects the strategic importance of Africa to our global business. [Both] bring an unparalleled breadth of experience in their respective countries, which will now be available to our clients."

Dentons has also recently boosted its presence on the continent, launching an office in South Africa's Johannesburg less than a year after opening in Cape Town.