Senegal

Gateway to West Africa – Your Strategic Legal Partner in Senegal

Senegal is one of West Africa’s most stable and dynamic economies, offering a favourable environment for international trade, investment, and infrastructure development. As a leading jurisdiction within the OHADA zone, it serves as a critical entry point for doing business across Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our team combines deep knowledge of international business law with a strong command of OHADA regulations and local legal frameworks. We advise multinational corporations, financial institutions, investors, and public entities on high stakes matters across key sectors.

Our Capabilities in Senegal

Corporate & Commercial

We advise on the structuring, negotiation, and execution of:

  • Joint ventures and strategic alliances
  • Mergers & acquisitions
  • Market entry and cross-border investments

All engagements are conducted with full compliance with Senegalese laws and OHADA Uniform Acts.

International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

We represent clients in complex disputes before:

  • The Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) under OHADA
  • ICC, LCIA, and ad hoc tribunals

Our bilingual French- and English-speaking team has a strong track record in arbitration across sectors including energy, infrastructure, telecoms, and financial services.

Project Development & Finance

We support sponsors, lenders, and developers on:

  • Energy (including renewables and oil & gas)
  • Transport and infrastructure
  • PPPs and concession agreements

Our services span from structuring and financing to contract negotiation and regulatory compliance.

Regulatory & Compliance

We provide strategic guidance on:

  • Licensing and regulatory approvals
  • Sector-specific compliance (banking, mining, telecoms, energy)
  • Cross-border structuring under UEMOA and OHADA frameworks

 

Why Clients Choose Us

  • Francophone Expertise

Our team includes native French-speaking lawyers qualified in civil and common law jurisdictions, with extensive experience in OHADA law.

  • Regional Reach

We advise not only in Senegal but across West and Central Africa, offering clients seamless service in multiple jurisdictions under the OHADA framework.

  • Arbitration Specialists

With a track record in complex international arbitration, we combine legal precision with strategic advocacy to safeguard our clients’ interests.

  • Client Focus

We understand the opportunities and challenges of investing in Senegal and offer practical, commercially focused solutions tailored to the local business environment.

Questions

Senegal is a member of OHADA. Corporate and commercial matters are governed by the OHADA Uniform Acts, which standardize business law across 17 African countries.
Yes. Disputes can be resolved through OHADA arbitration via the CCJA or through global institutions such as the ICC or LCIA. Senegal is also a party to the New York Convention, ensuring enforceability of foreign arbitral awards.
Foreign investment is broadly permitted. However, regulated sectors such as energy, mining, and telecommunications require prior licensing and compliance with sector-specific frameworks.

Team

Oliver Alexander

Founding Partner
With over a decade of experience in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, Oliver Alexander specializes in advising German and European clients on their business activities within the Gulf. His expertise focuses on commercial law, international and commercial arbitration, and dispute resolution in the construction sector. He is also recognized as one of the first movers into the Sub-Saharan African legal market, having established the firm’s presence in Accra, Ghana.

Andreas Scherdel

Partner
Andreas Scherdel has extensive experience in advising on project contracts, corporate law, commercial contracts, claims and risk management. His practice focuses on the construction, infrastructure and energy sectors. He also has significant knowledge of accounting and tax issues relating to large-scale projects.

Vincent Owhor, LL.M.

Of Counsel
Vincent Owhor is a Nigerian lawyer specialising in dispute resolution, with extensive experience in complex commercial litigation and domestic and international arbitration. He advises and represents clients from a range of sectors, including oil and gas, banking, telecommunications, and maritime services, as well as in matters of taxation, employment law, and general commercial law.