Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has promoted London-based Gabriel Mpubani and Dubai-based Rob Cant in a move that further strengthens its Africa practice.

They will join the partnership on May 1, 2016.

Commenting on his promotion, Mpubani said: "This is a fascinating time to be working on major projects across Africa as we help our clients realize their objectives while solving for Africa’s particular risks. We have a highly capable Africa practice, and I look forward to working closely with Shawn, Rob and my other partners in further strengthening our proposition as the international law firm of choice for clients in Africa."

Cant added: "This is a very exciting time for Freshfields in Africa and I am very pleased to be part of such a dynamic team. This team has been recognized both with awards and by our continued instruction on some of the most significant transactions on the continent and benefits from close working relationships with leading lawyers across Africa at our StrongerTogether firms."

"I am confident that we will continue to be the firm that our clients turn to for the mandates that matter most to them in Africa," he said.

Mpubani is a member of the firm’s Africa group, and served as the Head of the Africa Desk in Asia during his two years in the firm’s Singapore office.

He specializes in the development and financing of infrastructure and energy and natural resource projects around the world, with much of his work in Africa, and regularly represents governments, private sponsors and lenders on their most critical matters in these areas.

Cant is a corporate lawyer with a particular focus on advising private equity investors and other financial sponsors. Rob regularly advises on transactions across North and sub-Saharan Africa and has established himself as one of the most active international private equity lawyers operating on the continent.

Shawn der Kinderen, Co-Head of the firm’s Africa group, said: "We are delighted to welcome Rob and Gabriel to the partnership. There is no doubt that Africa, like many other markets globally faces many significant short-term challenges as well as offering immense opportunities - Rob and Gabriel’s appointment will further strengthen our ability to help our clients deal with these."