Norton Rose Fulbright has expanded its footprint in Africa by entering into a strategic alliance with Kenyan law firm, Walker Kontos.

The alliance will be formally launched in October 2016.

Donald Dinnie, MD of Norton Rose Fulbright in South Africa, said: “We are very excited about our alliance with Walker Kontos as it reflects the strategic importance of Africa to our global business. Walker Kontos brings an unparalleled breadth of experience in the region which complement our activities in East Africa.”

Founded in 1988 and based in Nairobi, Walker Kontos is ranked Band 1 for banking & finance by Chambers Global and has received accolades for its work in M&A, project finance, energy, capital markets and real estate matters.

Norton Rose Fulbright and Walker Kontos will collaborate on selected client matters to provide legal support to clients, particularly in the areas of financial institutions, energy and infrastructure.

Michael Kontos, Managing Partner at Walker Kontos, said: “We are very excited. The alliance bridges our clients’ evolving needs in an increasingly globalized economy, while at the same time recognizing the importance of Kenya as a financial and legal services hub in the region.”

With a presence in Burundi, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, Norton Rose has one of the largest legal footprints in Africa. 

The alliances in Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe significantly extend our African coverage.

Peter Martyr, Global CEO, Norton Rose Fulbright, said: “We have ambitious growth plans for the African continent and East Africa is a key hub for our clients. We see immediate opportunities in Africa in particular across energy, infrastructure and commodities. This alliance marks a significant step forward in fulfilling these ambitions, and will further enhance our global offering.”