Michael is a Senior Associate in Clifford Chance’s Debt Finance practice. Michael has extensive experience in representing governments, lenders and borrowers on a variety of acquisition, corporate, sovereign and syndicated loan financings and refinancings (including ECA and DFI backed financings).
Michael has advised on many significant and market-first transactions in the developing markets. Michael is also a member of the London Foundation Management Group (which allocates charitable grants on behalf of the Firm).
- The lenders on a financing for the Government of the Republic of Uganda acting by and through the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
- International Finance Corporation and Standard Bank on a US$92 million debt package to Eastcastle Infrastructure to support the company's telecom tower expansion in the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Deutsche Bank and Legal & General as arrangers and lenders on a €200 million sustainable loan financing to the Republic of Togo, benefitting from partial credit guarantee support from the African Development Fund (which forms part of the African Development Bank Group). Sustainable Loan Deal of the Year at the Global Banking Markets Africa Awards 2026
- The arrangers in connection with the up to €256 million Dual ECA backed facilities for the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Angola to finance the design, construction, equipping and servicing of three regional military hospitals in Angola. Export Finance Deal of the Year 2024 at the Africa Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2024
- Deutsche Bank and SACE on loan to finance Africa's largest food production plant
- The arrangers on a US$80 million SACE backed multi‑source financing for the Republic of Angola for the construction and development of a solar power plant project
- Joint global coordinators and mandated lead arrangers on a comprehensive financing transaction for Africell (comprising Africell's debut high yield bond offering of US$300 million senior secured notes and US$30 million revolving credit facility). Debut Corporate Bond Deal of the Year 2025 at the Africa Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2025
- The Government of Rwanda on its first ever ADF partially guaranteed sustainable commercial financing. ESG Deal of the Year 2025 at the Africa Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets Africa Awards 2025
- The arrangers in relation to an up to US$1 billion revolving and term buyer credit facilities agreement (with ECA terms) for the financing of equipment, machinery and other capital goods for the Republic of Angola
- The lenders on a financing for the Ministry of Finance of Nigeria as borrower in connection with construction and development of the Kano-Maradi Railway Project
- Global coordinators in connection with the US$1.8 billion debt refinancing of IHS Netherlands Holdco B.V. (“HIS”), the leading operator of telecommunications tower infrastructure in Nigeria. African Corporate Debt Deal of the Year 2020, Africa Bonds, Loans & Sukuk Awards
- Credit Suisse AG, London Branch in respect of an up to US$150 million facility for The Ghana Export-Import Bank, supported by the Ghanaian Ministry of Finance
- The arrangers in relation to an up to US$600 million revolving buyer-credit for the financing of food and other essential commodities for the Republic of Angola
- Standard Chartered Bank on facilities (bridge and syndicated term loan) for Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB)
- Credit Suisse AG, London Branch in relation to financings for the Ministry of Finance of Tanzania including the up to US$1.3 billion facility to finance key infrastructure development projects across Tanzania including the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway
- The arrangers on the syndicated €1.2 billion sustainability-linked multi-currency revolving facility for Neste Oyj
- The lenders on facilities for M-Kopa Uganda and M-Kopa Kenya to finance the installation of pay-as-you-go solar systems in Uganda and Kenya
- Africa Finance Corporation, the multilateral development finance institution, in its capacity as borrower on its 5-year US$100 million general corporate purpose financing from the Korea Development Bank (KDB)
News and client work
Contact details
- Clifford Chance, London
- +442070061590
- Email me
Awards and citations
- Michael is ranked as a “Leading Associate” for Emerging Markets by the Legal500.
Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Emerging Markets - ‘Michael Obiri-Darko, consistently stands out for his proactive, solutions-driven mindset. What makes Michael unique is not just his deep legal expertise, but his unwavering focus on delivering outcomes in the most efficient and practical way possible.’
Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Emerging Markets - 'Michael Obiri-Darko is an excellent associate.’
Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Emerging Markets - 'Michael Obiri-Darko, as a client liaison, has been exceptional. His interaction and ability to determine client needs before even being asked have been second to none. We have received ad hoc advice on many projects off of a simple call that has made a world of difference to us and the success we have had in recent times, which is deeply appreciated.'
Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Emerging Markets - ‘Michael Obiri-Darko is a seasoned, thoughtful and commercially minded lawyer who pays close attention to client needs to offer fit-for-purpose solutions. He brings his deep technical knowledge, respected judgment and commercial acumen, which has earned him our trust as well as that of our clients.’
Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Emerging Markets - Legal 500 2025 – Band 1: Key Lawyer – Emerging Markets