Headquartered in Johannesburg with offices and partners across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, Centurion Law Group (CLG) is a law firm transforming the way law is practiced on the continent. Our internationally trained lawyers and advisors are renowned for advising governments, foreign investors, local companies, other law firms, and the private sector.
CLG is a trailblazing legal firm renowned for its innovative and flexible approach to meeting the diverse needs of its clients. With a global presence and a team of dynamic professionals, CLG is committed to providing comprehensive support across a broad spectrum of professional services.
At CLG, we understand that every client is unique, which is why we tailor our solutions to meet individual and organizational needs. Our innovative approach allows us to adapt quickly to changing circumstances, ensuring that our clients always receive the most effective support. With strategic offices throughout Africa, including Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo, we are ideally positioned to handle cross-border transactions and complex energy deals that foster growth and innovation across the continent. From project financing and infrastructure to taxation and regulatory compliance, our team experts is equipped to support initiatives across the entire energy value chain.
Introducing Centurion Law Group
Firm Details
- Chief Executive Officer & Managing Partner: Zion Adeoye
- Country Head: Manuel Oliviera
- Number of partners: 3
- Number of lawyers: 29
- Languages: Afrikaans, English, French, German, Hebrew, Igbo, Portuguese, Shona, Spanish, Swahili, Setswana, Zulu
Why Choose CLG?
- Multidisciplinary Expertise: Our services encompass energy law, natural resources, corporate and commercial law, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, and more.
- Strategic Guidance: We offer unparalleled insights into Africa's unique regulatory environments, empowering our clients to thrive in dynamic markets.
- Local Knowledge, Global Reach: We merge deep local expertise with global standards to deliver impactful results.
Main Areas of Practice
Corporate & Commercial
- Advised a US utility in the structuring of a USD 2 billion stranded cost bond financing (including legislative, lobbying and structured finance transactional matters) in an African country
- Represented an American provider of commercial cleaning, sanitation and hygiene solutions in distribution agreements contracts in Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Ghana
- Advised one of the world’s largest multinational food suppliers in connection with trademarks and intellectual property issues in Africa
Mining, Energy & Resources, Oil & Gas
- Acted as Legal Adviser to the Ministry of Mines & Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea in the successful negotiation and execution of Government-to-Government Agreements regulating cooperation in the field of oil & gas, between Equatorial Guinea and the Governments of South Sudan, Uganda and Ghana
- Facilitated the successful entry and subsequent membership of Equatorial Guinea, as a member state of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC)
- Successfully negotiated an Umbrella Agreement, and further ancillary contractual documents on behalf of the Government of Equatorial Guinea, with a multinational exploration company, establishing the full legal and fiscal framework, for the facilitation, development, financing and operation of Africa’s first independent deep-water FLNG project
- Acted as counsel to major international oil drilling service providers in connection with exploration and production projects in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and West Africa
- Advising the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea on the drafting of new mining legislation and the creation of a national mining company in Equatorial Guinea
- Successfully negotiated and signed a Unitization Agreement and Unit Operating Agreement between several oil majors in Equatorial Guinea
- Advised a multinational exploration and production company on crude oil supply in Equatorial Guinea
Banking & Finance
- Advised an international bank on the construction financing and related matters of a major development project in Equatorial Guinea.
- Advised a Big Four accounting firm with regard to VAT and other tax issues
Public Law - Government Procurement & Contracts
- Provided advice on the implementation of new and existing construction/reconstruction projects for government centers, office buildings, hotels, and industrial facilities, as well as the structuring of real estate transactions in a number of international investment projects being implemented in Equatorial Guinea, involving a very active role in negotiations with the local government and authorities.
Legislative Drafting
- Advising the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea on the drafting of new mining legislation
- Advising the Ministry of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea on local content regulation reform
Labour & Employment
- Advised a technological leader in oil and gas products and services headquartered in the US on Equatorial Guinean employment regulations
- Advised a number of oil and gas service companies on employment law with a focus on restructuring overflow staff, adapting work places, modifying remuneration agreements and agreed pay scale classifications, among other issues
Tax & Customs
- Represented an international oil and gas company in a dispute over the application of a special tax rate under a production sharing contract. The team won the dispute despite unpromising previous case law on the issue
- Advised various major international companies on how to apply the Equatorial Guinean tax regime within the scope of a production sharing contract, with a view to overcoming unhelpful case law trends
- Represented and defended an international oilfield services company in courts against a substantial claim by a state agency
- Advised a Big Four accounting firm with regard to the application of VAT and other tax issues in Equatorial Guinea
Immigration
- Multinational Visa Applications: We assisted multinational corporations in obtaining visas and work permits across the CEMAC region for large-scale expansion projects. This involved coordinating with various governments to streamline the process and avoid delays that would otherwise impact the business timelines.
Telecommunications
- Advised on and reviewed the Interactive Digital Centre (IDC) Hub Master Agreement for the establishment of a Virtual Learning Centre between the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality and EON USA.
Competition
- Advised clients on competition law compliance, conducted competition law audits, compliance review, and drafted legal opinions on various competition law topics.
Construction
- Negotiated field service agreements, such as the repair and reconstruction of oil wells and advising seismic, drilling, environmental and other specialty service contractors
- Represented a US insurance company in the construction of a hospital in mainland Equatorial Guinea
- Advised an international bank on the construction financing of a major development project in Equatorial Guinea
- Advised a multinational engineering and construction company on a planned project for the design and construction of a highway in Equatorial Guinea
Arbitration & Commercial Litigation
- Appearance on behalf of clients before various administrative tribunals
- Represented and defended a major oilfield services company in the first and appellate instance courts in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea against a claim of a former contractor
Anti-Corruption Advisory
With a strong and in-depth knowledge of the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), UK Anti Bribery Act and other international anti-corruption instruments, Centurion LLP’’s lawyers train, advise and represent companies on anti-corruption-related matters in most African markets.
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Nigeria has emerged as the African Union’s (AU) Digital Trade Champion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol. This recognition underscores the country’s remarkable progress in fostering digital enterprise, innovation, and cross-border digital trade facilitation. As Africa’s largest economy and a technology-driven hub, Nigeria is positioned to lead the continent’s digital transformation, with significant implications for economic growth, job creation, and regulatory leadership.
The country’s digital economy has witnessed remarkable growth, driven by increased internet penetration, mobile technology adoption, and a thriving startup ecosystem. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector contributed about 20 percent growth to the country’s GDP in Q2 2024.
Nigeria also boasts Africa’s largest mobile market, with around 219 million subscribers, achieving a teledensity of 101.16 percent as reported by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). As of March 2024, more than 163 million Nigerians had internet access propelled by broadband network expansion, affordable data plans, and a broadband penetration of 43.5 percent.
The African Union, at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government (AU Summit) which took place from 15 to 16 February 2025, has adopted 8 (eight) annexes to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Trade Protocol. This is a landmark development for digital trade across Africa and presents as the final block required to finalise the operational details of the digital trade protocol which is a significant instrument towards harmonising the digital economy across the continent.
At CLG, we understand that navigating these new instruments will be critical for businesses seeking to capitalize on Africa’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
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