Bowmans (Law Firm)

NEWSFLASH | The Tanzanian Labour Laws (Amendments) Act 2025 has introduced significant changes to the country’s Employment and Labour Relations Act. Key amendments include adjustments to employment contracts, leave policies, dispute resolution processes, termination procedures and employer obligations. These amendments require businesses to adapt their practices to ensure compliance. Francis Kamuzora, Brian Mambosho and MohammedZameen Nazarali provide more information here: https://lnkd.in/dCmzmxtY

AWARDS | Bowmans’ position as the pre-eminent African Law firm has once again been recognised by IFLR, this time at the prestigious IFLR Africa Awards ceremony held in Cape Town, South Africa, last night (27 March 2025). We are thrilled to share that Bowmans has been named African Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year.   We were also recognised for advising on the Impact Deal of the Year: M&A for our work on the Universal Music Group/ Mavin Global transaction and the Loans Deal of the Year for our work on a cross-boundary energy financing.   The #IFLRAwards winners are selected after meticulous consideration of the sophistication and complexity of the work undertaken by law firms, the impact of the legal innovation as well as challenges encountered in execution. These accolades come just three months after our legal expertise was lauded by IFLR1000 in the latest edition of its financial and corporate law rankings for Africa.   Our chairman and senior partner, Ezra Davids, says, ‘We are proud to be recognised by IFLR as a world-class law firm with an extensive African footprint. We believe that the combination of this local presence and our one-firm approach offers a compelling value proposition to both our clients and our people.’ Read more here:  https://lnkd.in/dscGicdt

AWARDS | Our ability, as the pre-eminent African law firm, to facilitate investment in East Africa has been highlighted once again. In the DealMakersAFRICA Awards and League Tables for 2024 released earlier today (27 March 2025), Bowmans’ role in some of the most significant transactions in the region was acknowledged: we are delighted to share that we topped the Legal Advisor League Table by deal flow in the East Africa M&A category. Having been identified for advising on four of the six matters shortlisted in East Africa, Bowmans was also recognised for advising on the deal named East Africa Private Equity Deal of the Year. In this transaction, we advised on Ascent Capital’s acquisition of a minority stake in Dune Packaging. Dune Packaging is a Kenyan-based global paper packaging manufacturer with a strong track record of delivering high-quality packaging solutions. According to DealMakersAFRICA, 'This investment is expected to accelerate Dune Packaging's growth trajectory and contribute to the development of the packaging industry in East Africa.' Paras Shah, managing partner of Bowmans Kenya, says, 'It’s always gratifying to be recognised for the work that we do, but these awards do more than that. They demonstrate the faith that our clients place in us and the work of the superb Bowmans’ teams. Being entrusted with the most complex matters in the region is a privilege.' Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dTqHfPxX

IN THE NEWS | Is the State getting South African rail on the right track with #privateinvestment? Andrew Pike, senior #Ports, #Rail and #Logistics consultant, joins CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit to discuss Transnet SOC Ltd launching an online Request for Information (RFI) to allow private participation in the ailing sector. They discuss whether Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, is on the right track to revitalise South Africa’s #railnetwork and boost the economy. Listen to the complete discussion here: https://lnkd.in/dSVS_bAn

NEWSFLASH | In a recent decision, the Court of Appeal clarified the applicability of #ValueAddedTax (VAT) on the sale of #commercialproperty. In 2013, David Ndegwa, (the taxpayer) purchased from Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited land together with the building erected thereon. The KRA(KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY) demanded #VAT at the rate of 16% on the purchase price of the property and the taxpayer paid under protest. Subsequently, the taxpayer lodged a claim against the KRA at the High Court seeking a declaration that VAT was not payable on the sale or purchase of land, whether the buildings erected thereon were residential or commercial, pursuant to Paragraph 8 of Part II of the First Schedule to the VAT Act (the VAT Act) and prayed for an order for refund of the VAT paid together with interest thereon. Having determined that the supply of commercial premises is not exempt from VAT, the Court of Appeal determined that the KRA lawfully levied VAT on the taxpayer’s transaction and therefore the VAT paid was not refundable. This decision reinforces the fact that provided an item is not contained in the exempt list in the VAT Act, it is subject to VAT. Our #Tax team of Alex Mathini, Andrew Oduor and Sam Githanda provide more information here: https://lnkd.in/dQvX5Jm7

RANKINGS | In addition to our practice rankings, Legal 500 recognised the expertise of our lawyers in handling complex legal matters. We are delighted to share that 63 of our legal experts achieved 66 individual rankings – making this year’s total the highest number of individual rankings Bowmans has achieved thus far. Please join us in congratulating our people have been ranked in the following categories: - Next Generation Partners – these are lawyers at partner level who have gained significant recognition from their clients and peers: Aleem Tharani, Callum O'Connor, Cecil Kuyo, Charles Mmasi, Edwin Baru, Jonathan Barnes, Julia Power, Kelly Wright, Kendall Evans, Lana Stockton, Lerato Thahane, Lize-Mere Ludick, Michael Swartland, Nadine Mather, Nanga Kwinana, Pride Jani, Simon Kiriba, Vruti Shah, Wathingira Gituro and Xolani Nyali. - Leading Associates - these are lawyers who frequently appear in key matters and have made significant contributions to practices: Brian Mambosho, Cynthia Amutete, Pius James, Jessica Mutemi, Kelly Calvert-Evers, Matthew Arrumm and Shanae Durman. Chairman and senior partner, Ezra Davids, says, ‘It’s very pleasing to see Bowmans’ deep strength and breadth of legal, transactional and disputes expertise recognised by the Legal500. This acknowledgment reflects the hard work, dedication, detailed knowledge and creativity of our team members across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions.’ Congratulations to all the individuals ranked in this prestigious recognition. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dg8dUUBE

RANKINGS | Our legal expertise and excellent standing as the pre-eminent African law firm have been lauded in the Legal 500 Europe, Middle East and Africa Report for 2025 which was released earlier today (26 March 2025). We are pleased to share that Bowmans achieved a total of 21 practice area rankings in this publication, one of the foremost and globally recognised legal directories, with 13 of these #Legal500EMEA in Tier 1 - the highest possible ranking in the report. In addition to these practice rankings, 11 of our lawyers were included in the prestigious 'Hall of Fame' category: these are lawyers who are widely regarded as being at the very top of the profession and have been consistently ranked by Legal500 for a significant number of years. Please join us in congratulating Alan Keep, Craig Cunningham, Ezra Davids, Graham Damant, Jan Kruger, Jerry Kaapu, John Bellew, Mark van Velden, Richard Harney, Tim Gordon-Grant and Wally Horak. 28 of our people have been named 'Leading Partners' – a category recognising lawyers who have defined themselves as true market leaders, with long-established reputations: Alex Njage, Alexandra Cluver, Anton Barnes-Webb, Bwalya Chilufya-Musonda, Charles Douglas, Charles Young, Clement Mkiva, Cornelius Kigera, Daryn Webb, Derek Lotter, Dominic Indokhomi, Fazil Hossenkhan, Gerhard Rudolph, Heather Irvine, Heather Manson, Jutami Augustyn, Karen Fulton, Michael Strain, Paras Shah, Philip Coulson, Rainbow Field, Tamara Dini, Tholinhlanhla Gcabashe, Ulrike Naumann and Wilbert Kapinga. Chairman and senior partner, Ezra Davids, says ‘These results underscore our commitment to delivering high-quality, client-focused legal services across Africa. We remain dedicated to building on this success, continuously evolving to meet our clients' needs, and maintaining our position as the preeminent African law firm.’ Congratulations to the teams in the ranked categories and the individuals who were included in the 'Hall of Fame' and 'Leading Partners' categories. Read more here:  https://lnkd.in/dg8dUUBE

NEWSFLASH | The Business Registrations and Licensing Agency recently issued a Public Notice for Tanzanian-registered companies to file ultimate beneficial ownership information by 15 April 2025. The Notice follows a series of regulatory changes around the Tanzanian #AntiMoneyLaundering regime between 2020 and 2023. Partner, James Pius Rushomesa, provides an overview of the requirements below.

INSIGHTS | The latest edition of our Africa #CompetitionLaw Guide is a one-stop-shop for recent developments in African competition law. It has been prepared, in part, with local lawyers with whom we work across the continent and contains chapters on Egypt (contributed by Tarek Badawy and Salma Abdelaziz from Meysan), eSwatini (contributed by John Earl Henwood from Henwood & Company), Ethiopia (contributed by Aman Assefa and Redeat Stiphanos Teka from our alliance firm, Aman & Partners LLP), Ghana (contributed by Benjamin Kpakpo and Akosua Kyeiwaa Akowuah from AB & David), Malawi (Elton Jangale from PFI Partnerships) and Morocco (contributed by Ségolène Pelsy and Philippine Fradet from Gide). The complete guide is available here: https://lnkd.in/dn8-cXtD

EVENT | We are looking forward to our upcoming Third Annual Corporate Investigations Seminar. This year, we explore the impact of #ArtificialIntelligence (AI) on #CorporateInvestigations, #DataPrivacy (including #LabourRelations), and #RiskManagement. The Bowmans team of Terry Mwango, FCIArb, Ariana Issaias, Luway Mongie, Vanessa Jacklin-Levin, Effie Omondi and Adhiambo Wameyo will be joined by numerous thought leaders and experts from various sectors including risk, legal, enforcement and regulatory. We will have four panel discussions on the day:  - Panel one: Risk Management in the Age of #AI: Investigations and Workplace Safeguards;  - Panel two: Investigating with Intelligence: Leveraging AI for Effective Corporate Investigations;  - Panel three: #Data, AI, and the Future of Enforcement: Challenges and Opportunities; and  - Panel four: Balancing #Innovation, #Ethics and The Law: The Evolving Role of AI Regulation When: 27 March 2025, 08:00-15:00 EAT Where: Villa Rosa Kempinski - Nairobi, Kenya For more information or to RSVP to attend, contact us here: ke-rsvp@bowmanslaw.com