Bowmans helps its clients manage legal complexity and unlock opportunity in Africa. Its enviable track record of providing legal services to the highest professional standards on the continent, spans corporate, finance, competition, taxation, employment, technology and dispute resolution matters.

With over 500 specialist lawyers, Bowmans draws on its unique knowledge of the business and socio-political environment in Africa to advise on a wide range of legal issues.

The firm delivers integrated legal services from nine offices (Cape Town, Dar es Salaam, Durban, Johannesburg, Lusaka, Moka, Nairobi, Swakopmund and Windhoek in six countries (Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia). 

Everywhere it operates, Bowmans offers its clients a service that uniquely blends expertise in the law, knowledge of the local market, and an understanding of their businesses. The firm’s aim is to assist its clients to achieve their objectives as smoothly and efficiently as possible while minimising the legal and regulatory risks.

The firm works closely with its Alliance firms Aman & Partners LLP in Ethiopia and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie in Nigeria. Bowmans has special relationships with firms in Mozambique and Uganda; a non-exclusive co-operation agreement with French international law firm Gide Loyrette Nouel that provides access to lawyers in francophone west and north Africa; regularly works with other leading independent law firms across the rest of Africa; and is a representative of Lex Mundi, a global association of independent law firms in more than 125 countries.

Clients include domestic and foreign corporates, multinationals, funds and financial institutions, across a range of industry sectors, as well as state-owned enterprises and governments. 

Awards

African Legal Awards: African Law Firm of the Year, 2024

IFLR Africa Awards: Africa Law Firm of the Year, 2023

Kenya

Nairobi Legal Awards: Large Law Firm of the Year Kenya, 2023 and 2024

Managing IP Awards EMEA: Kenya Law Firm of the Year, 2024

Chambers Africa Awards: Kenya Law Firm of the Year, 2022

Africa Private Equity & Venture Capital Association Awards: Outstanding Legal Advisor, 2022

South Africa

Chambers Africa Awards: South Africa Law Firm of the Year, 2023

Top 500 Best Managed South African Companies: Best Law Firm of the Year, 2023

Who’s Who Legal: Country Firm of the Year: South Africa, 2023 and 2022

IFLR Africa Awards: Jurisdictional Firm of the Year: South Africa, 2021 and 2022

IFLR Africa Awards: National Law Firm of the Year: South Africa, 2021

Tanzania

IFLR Africa Awards: National Law Firm of the Year: Zambia, 2021