Liza Odendaal, business development manager, and Colin Wilson, partner, collect their award from host, broadcaster Leanne Manas (left), and awards judge Talenta Chavalala, senior legal adviser, Development Bank of Southern Africa

Finalists: Baker & McKenzie; Fasken Martineau; Norton Rose Fulbright; TTA – Sociedade de Advogados (PLMJ Network); Webber Wentzel (highly commended); White & Case

DLA Piper and its Kenyan affiliate Iseme Kamau & Maema's work with Kenya's government to deliver a $500m medical equipment services public-private partnership helped them win the Transportation and Infrastructure Team of the Year prize.

The project is the first time such a structure has been used in Africa to procure medical equipment and facilities, and is one of the largest sustainable healthcare projects on the continent. The firms advised the government and health ministry on all aspects of the project, from the central procurement of supply to kitting out 94 hospitals across the country with internationally accredited medical gear, thereby ensuring Kenyans no longer have to travel for first-class medical treatment (part of Kenya's Vision 2030 plan to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for the entire population).

The firms also advised on the government's contract negotiations with five appointed global medical equipment suppliers and the financing of those contracts, which included a mix of asset finance, receivables finance and corporate finance structures, to make sure the programme remains affordable. The cross-border project was managed by DLA Piper partner Colin Wilson (pictured) and run out of London and Kenya, combining the firms' global and local expertise.

• Click here for more coverage of the African Legal Awards, including full details of all the winners and insight into the judging panel's thinking