Antoine is a leading projects, energy & infrastructure lawyer with extensive experience in the development and financing of energy, infrastructure and oil & gas projects across North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He has a deep understanding of the legal, commercial and regulatory challenges and opportunities in these sectors, especially in the fast-growing and diverse African markets. He works with a range of clients, including sponsors, lenders, project companies, state utilities and contractors, across the projects spectrum. These include thermal power plants, water treatment facilitiesdesalination and treatment plants, ports and airports, telecommunications, mining and industrial processing, renewable energy, power to X and oil & gas projects. He also advises on the sale, acquisition and refinancing of projects in the secondary market, as well as on general lending and other banking transactions.

Antoine is recognized as a leading practitioner in his field by several legal directories and publications. He is frequently invited to speak at industry seminars and events, sharing his insights and perspectives on the latest trends and developments in the projects market.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • The sponsors on the development, and financing, construction and operation and maintenance of the IWPP in Dakhla, Morocco. 
  • EDF Renouvelables, Masdar and Green of Africa on the development, financing, construction and operation, and maintenance of the NOOR Midelt Phase I hybrid CSP and PV Project. 
  • EDF Renouvelables and Mitsui CorporationMoroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy on the development, and financing, construction and operation and maintenance of the Koudia al Baida 120MW wind power plant in Tazafarm in Morocco. 
  • Managem and Sociétés des Mines de Mandiana on the design, construction, development and operation of the Tri K Gold Mine in Kankan, Mandiana province, Guinea. 
  • A leading shipping company on Green Marine Fuel Corridors including Green hydrogen to ammonia and methanol plants.EBRD and Proparco in relation to the financing of the Gafsa, Sidi Bouzid,Tozeur and Tataouine PV plants in Tunisia.
  • IFC and other lenders on the financing for the construction and operation, under a concession, of the Ivato International airport and Nosy-Be airport in Madagascar.

Pro bono

  • Two-day seminar in 2016 on PPAs as part of our pro bono activities for AfDB/ALSF.
  • Two-day seminar in 2016 on Power Project Financing as part of our pro bono activities for AfDB/ALSF and US Aid.
  • Five-day seminar in 2015 on PPAs as part of our pro bono activities for AfDB/ALSF and Power Africa.

Speaking Engagements

  • Speaker at the Understanding Power Project Financing two-day seminar organized by Power Africa, ALSF and CLDP in Dakar – October 2016 
  • Speaker at the Understanding Power Purchase Agreements two-day seminar organized by Power Africa and ALSF in Dakar – March 2016 
  • Speaker at the Renewable Power Purchase Agreements five-day seminar organized by ALSF and Power Africa in Casablanca – July 2015

Qualifications

Academic

Post Graduate Degree, International Business Law, Université Paris 5, 2005

Masters, Compared Law, Lebanese Unitversity, 2004

Languages

Arabic, English, French
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.