The past couple of decades have seen massive changes in African legal practice as local firms have become far more sophisticated, collaborative and outward looking, raising the bar to become a trusted choice for multinational clients, says Pedro Couto, new chair of CMS Africa.
“These market shifts are exciting for our lawyers, as well as our clients looking to get involved in the opportunities it unlocks across Africa. And CMS Africa wants to be at the forefront of this evolution,” says Couto, a leading energy and infrastructure expert. Nowadays, multinational clients see the value in top African-based law practices, and look for them.
Couto is excited to lead CMS Africa, which has more than 160 lawyers across several African offices and Africa desks covering a diverse array of jurisdictions, languages, and regional groupings (OHADA, WAEMU, CEMAC), while also being part of the global CMS legal organisation of over 6 300 lawyers in more than 45 countries.
“Africa is a challenging market, and there can be complications, but clients now see they can come to Africa, do business, successfully implement projects,” he says. “I feel opportunity is coming, and with CMS being in the front line alongside the momentum of Africa accounting for eleven of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024 and second-fastest-growing region after Asia. We are positive about our future and see opportunities everywhere.”
CMS has a well-defined strategy for Africa, notes Couto, though “it is not a flag planting policy”; CMS Africa is not aiming to have a presence to be in all 54 nations across the continent. “We aim to establish a presence in key regional hubs in Africa to strengthen and develop our relationships with clients already established in Africa or looking to grow in Africa by providing international and local legal support in order to enable access for our clients to regional markets. We aim to deliver this strategy whilst striving to change the environment and society we operate in for the better.”
Their regional hubs are key, along with strategic expansion, strong development in current jurisdictions, and continuing and creating best friends’ relationships with key firms and helping clients develop African opportunities.
While CMS Africa is a grouping of independent firms, Couto is excited to help drive a positive, growth-focused strategy, including helping younger African lawyers develop into the modern, broader advisors that clients now want, and the leaders of tomorrow.
“To provide excellent service today, lawyers need to understand their clients’ businesses and act as true business partners,” says Couto. “They must help clients achieve their goals while being mindful of costs and embracing innovations and technology”
Lawyers can no longer focus on lengthy opinions, or discrete legal issues. Couto chuckles as he shares how far things have shifted since he began practising, three decades ago; nowadays he has clients expecting answers by WhatsApp; opinions to fit a phone screen.
“One of the aspects I really appreciate about CMS as a whole is that we are a firm that looks after people,” he says. “We look after their development, and the good of our people is really, really relevant. That’s why we have the CMS Africa Academy, and we’re launching a programme of training new lawyers that’s going to be available online for people to learn.”
Despite a long, illustrious career as a leading African lawyer, or perhaps because of it, Couto still radiates a fledgling’s enthusiasm and excitement for the profession, and the continent.
“I’m a true believer of the future of Africa,” says Couto, while praising the work of his predecessor as chair of CMS Africa, leading South African lawyer Riza Moosa.
“I’m confident that if we continue to work together on progressing our plan for Africa, embracing our uniqueness, producing quality work and being organised in our efforts, we will build on our African achievements, and value will pass onto our clients,” he continues. “To really allow ourselves to be business partners to our clients, for them to discover or come to this exciting continent that is Africa, and where I genuinely believe there are a lot of opportunities.”