Finalists: Ashitiva Advocates; LNP Attorneys; Ngassam, Fansi & Mouafo Avocats Associes; PLMJ, Law Firm; SAL & Caldeira Advogados; Signum Advocates (highly commended).

Zimbabwe's Manokore Attorneys was named African Law Firm of the Year – Small Practice, as it continues to make strides towards becoming the country's foremost corporate legal services provider.

Since its launch at the beginning of the decade, Manokore has grown from one partner to three, and two associates to seven, attracting a client roster of banks, international corporations, private equity funds and high-net-worth individuals. Turnover has grown at an average annual rate of 23.4% during the past five years, as it positions itself as the go-to firm for cross-border work in and around Zimbabwe. Standout deals during the past 12 months have included advising the African Development Bank on a $25m trade credit line to Central African Building Society, and supporting a client through an acquisition of a controlling stake in a company that holds oil and gas exploration rights in Zimbabwe. It is also currently working on two major infrastructure projects in the country.

The firm has boosted its efficiency and driven down costs by using a global legal outsourcing firm to provide support and legal research, and it is also now a member of DLA Piper's African legal network. "Impressive growth and turnaround," commented a judge.

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