Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance signals commitment to the African markets and confirms intention to open in Morocco

Clifford Chance has today announced that its new office in Casablanca will open by the end of 2011. This is the next stage in the Firm's plans to extend its existing strong Africa practice. The office will be the Firm's first in Africa and will act as a hub for clients across the wider North African and Sub-Saharan Francophone region.

The new office will be led by Paris partner and Moroccan national, Mustapha Mourahib. The Casablanca office will be just one part of Clifford Chance's broader Africa offering, which is led by Paris partners, Anthony Giustini, Mustapha Mourahib; Frankfurt partner, Edmund Boyo; and London partners, Jeremy Connick and Kem Ihenacho.

Anthony Giustini explains, "Africa holds enormous potential for clients and for Clifford Chance. It is clear that we are now reaching a tipping point. Major African corporates are looking to extend their footprint regionally and internationally, and our multinational clients are increasingly focused on building their business in the continent. As a result, clients need to be able to draw on firms such as ours with a well-established track record of working in every African nation, and which combine deep local knowledge with a strong international capability and an outstanding reputation for cross-border work."

Explaining the rationale for setting up in Casablanca, Mustapha Mourahib adds, "Morocco occupies a strategic position in the African continent. In addition to its fast-growing domestic economy, it is an increasingly popular choice for foreign investment companies, for European organisations moving into Africa and a central hub for doing business in the region. We have worked on a significant number of major transactions in Morocco over the past few years and a presence on the ground will not only allow us to develop further similar opportunities but also act as a launch pad to support clients across North and Sub-Saharan Africa."

David Childs, Clifford Chance managing partner comments, "The development of our Firm has always followed the needs of our client base and that is why we are now placing increased emphasis on our strategy for Africa. Although we have been active and investing in the continent for over 30 years, clients now, more than ever, want access to our deep understanding of the complexities and nuances of the African investment landscape, not just within the region but also through our knowledge of and contacts with major sponsors of inward investment, particularly in China, India and the Middle East. Our strategy for Africa is an integral part of our wider commitment to supporting our clients across the growth markets."