DALDEWOLF IN THE DRC
We assist you in achieving success in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in Central and West Africa.
The DALDEWOLF law firm, founded in Brussels in 1958, has developed an OHADA Desk, whose lawyers practice both in Kinshasa (since 2018) and Brussels. These lawyers are either members of a Congolese bar association, a Belgian bar association, or both, like Patrick De Wolf, who is a member of both the Brussels Bar (1986) and the Kinshasa/Matété Bar (2020).
The lawyers of the OHADA Desk have thus established a cross-practice between their offices in Kinshasa (DRC) and Brussels (Belgium), offering their clients exceptional efficiency in handling all OHADA law-related cases, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These lawyers provide legal assistance to a diverse clientele, including multinational companies, SMEs, startups, NGOs, international institutions, public and para-public entities, investment funds, African diaspora in Europe, and European diaspora in Africa.
They form a multidisciplinary team (OHADA law, corporate law, taxation, mining law, competition law, PPPs and public procurement, IP/IT, litigation & ADR).
Their areas of activity are primarily related to business and corporate life in the firm’s typical areas of practice, including obtaining licenses and permits for certain activities (mining, hydrocarbons, energy, banking and financial services, telecommunications, agriculture) and handling judicial disputes or arbitration (CCJA, ICC, UNCITRAL) and mediation.
Furthermore, DALDEWOLF regularly carries out consultancy missions for states or donors in Africa, for example, in auditing and revising laws and regulations, debt renegotiation, and supporting major projects, etc.
Finally, in order to provide pragmatic and on-the-ground services to its clientele, DALDEWOLF relies on its office in Kinshasa and a network of law firms (including the ABLE Network | Club 54, present in over 40 African countries), accounting professionals, and sector-specific consultants (mining, agriculture, environment, finance, etc.), built over the years.
DALDEWOLF is renowned for its knowledge and practice, for over 20 years, in the African market of law and business. Initially without a permanent office in Africa, and then with a permanent office in Kinshasa since 2018, DALDEWOLF's scope extends continentally, with a particularly strong expertise in the Great Lakes region (DRC, Rwanda, Burundi) and West Africa.
DALDEWOLF has opened an office in Kinshasa, which has quickly become an essential reference in the DRC. The opening of the Kinshasa office in 2018 is the culmination of decades of experience and expertise that some of the firm’s lawyers have of the market and the legal and business culture in the DRC. In particular, these lawyers were pioneers in the DRC’s accession to OHADA. This internationally recognized experience is combined with the firm’s arbitration practice.
The Kinshasa office provides legal assistance to a wide range of clients (multinationals, SMEs, start-ups, NGOs, international institutions, public and para-public entities, investment funds, African diaspora in Europe and European diaspora in Africa).
The team of the Kinshasa office is multidisciplinary (OHADA law, corporate law, taxation, mining law, competition, PPP and public procurement, IP/IT, litigation & MARD). As far as OHADA law is concerned, the lawyers of our Kinshasa office are also part of our OHADA Desk (composed of lawyers based both in Brussels and in Kinshasa).
Its areas of activity are essentially related to business and corporate life in the firm’s traditional areas of intervention, including obtaining licenses and permits for certain activities (mining, hydrocarbons, energy, banking and financial services, telecoms, agriculture) and managing judicial disputes or through arbitration (CCJA, ICC, UNCITRAL) and mediation.
In addition, DALDEWOLF regularly carries out consulting missions for States or donors in Africa, for example in the areas of auditing and revision of laws and regulations, debt renegotiation, and support for major projects, etc.
Finally, the Kinshasa office has developed a policy of pro bono services, on a selective basis, for the benefit of certain NGOs, non-profit associations and foundations, particularly in the areas of health, the environment, sustainable development and entrepreneurship.
In order to provide pragmatic and field-based services to their clients, DALDEWOLF relies, in Africa, not only on its Kinshasa office but also on a network of law firms (notably the ABLE Network | Club 54, present in more than 40 African countries), number professionals and sectoral consultants (mining, agriculture, environment, finance, etc.), woven over the years.
DALDEWOLF and its Kinshasa office provide clients with advice and assistance with respect to corporate finance, as well as in the structuring of project finance, particularly in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
DALDEWOLF offers its clients a service based on the concept of “one-stop shopping”. In other words, we take care of the project management, including the supervision and coordination of the various parties involved in the transaction (accountants, consultants, financiers, valuers, etc.). In addition to greater convenience for the client, the concept of “one-stop shopping” allows for greater efficiency in the implementation of a project.
DALDEWOLF has also established a pool of experts (including both its own specialist lawyers and external consultants) to provide professional services (consultants, lawyers, accountants, patent agents, valuers, investment banks, – involved in a corporate or project finance transaction -, vis-à-vis buyers/sellers/licensees, regulators and other authorities).
DALDEWOLF’s added value in corporate finance or project finance projects consists of a unique combination of :
DALDEWOLF assists and advises its clients with respect to corporate finance, namely for transactions in which existing capital is utilised and new capital raised in order to create, develop and grow new projects and ventures, and to acquire other businesses. Corporate finance transactions often lead to the creation of new capital structures and/or change of ownership.
The types of corporate finance activity for which DALDEWOLF can assist its clients in the DRC are as follows:
The pool of experts gathered by DALDEWOLF can provide the following professional services:
Project Finance is the financing of infrastructure, industrial or utility projects through a non-recourse or limited recourse financial structure. The debt and equity used to finance the project is repaid from the cash flows generated by the project. The assets, rights and interests in the project secure the debt. The Project Finance technique is particularly interesting for the private sector, as companies can finance large off-balance sheet projects.
DALDEWOLF’s clients can be any party involved in a project financing, be it the project owner itself, the concession authority, an offtaker, an investor, a bank, a leasing company or any other actor in the project.
The pool of experts gathered by DALDEWOLF can provide the following professional services:
The firm’s Kinshasa lawyers assist and advise investors in their mining projects (mainly copper, cobalt, gold and diamonds) and mining transactions in Africa, mainly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The firm assists mining operators at all stages of their activities (exploration, exploitation, marketing, transport, farm-out, disposal, remediation). The firm also assists mining subcontracting companies to comply with the Congolese legal framework for subcontracting.
This assistance also covers the day-to-day legal management of taxation and parafiscal matters, compliance with international and national standards (UN, EU, OECD, EITI, ICGLR, etc.) and in the classic areas of business law such as labour law, contract law, company law and security law.
The Importance of the DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) holds a central position in Africa, both geographically and economically. The country is abundant in incredible natural resources, including minerals such as cobalt, copper, and diamonds, as well as vast reserves of arable land. Despite these potentials, the Congolese economy remains largely underdeveloped compared to its potential, facing structural challenges such as a lack of infrastructure. However, if these obstacles were overcome, the DRC could play a significant role on the global economic stage as a key supplier of essential raw materials to many industries.
On an environmental level, the DRC is home to a significant portion of the world’s second-largest tropical forest, the Congo Basin, also known as the “lungs of Africa.” This region holds crucial importance for global biodiversity and acts as a vital carbon sink for climate balance. Preserving this precious natural reserve is essential for safeguarding biological diversity and contributing to the fight against climate change. However, illegal deforestation, unregulated mining, and other human activities threaten this fragile ecosystem. With preservation and sustainability measures in place, the DRC can play a major role in global environmental protection efforts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo also holds a significant position within the global Francophonie. As the most populous Francophone country in sub-Saharan Africa, the DRC plays a key role in promoting the French language and Francophone culture on the continent. Its central geopolitical position and economic potential make it an influential player within the Francophonie, contributing to linguistic and cultural diversity within this global community. The promotion of the French language in the DRC helps strengthen ties among Francophone countries and fosters cultural, educational, and economic exchanges at the international level.
CONTACTS |
Global Chambers – General Business Law – Band 2 – Congo Democratic Republic of Congo – Global 2023
‘What the team is known for
DALDEWOLF has significant expertise in the DRC, with considerable knowledge of OHADA law. Its expertise also extends to project development and financing in the energy and natural resources and infrastructure sectors. The team further possesses experience in corporate transactional matters, drawing on resources from its Brussels office as needed.
Notable practitioners
Brussels-based Patrick De Wolf possesses expertise in OHADA, corporate law, and arbitration. He has a strong track record in renewable energy, investment projects and construction, and a longstanding reputation for his involvement in the DRC.’
DALDEWOLF
4972 Avenue de la Vallée
Résidence “Prestige”
Kinshasa/Gombe R.D. Congo
Patrick De Wolf, Managing Partner
Téléphone & WhatsApp: +32 475 42 07 08
Daniel Djedi Djongambolo Ohongé, Counsel
Phone+WhatsApp: + 243 891 592 628
Laetitia De Smet, Partner
Phone+WhatsApp: +32 496 06 47 53
In Kinshasa as well, DALDEWOLF is always on the lookout for talented lawyers to join the firm: spontaneous applications.
If you are seeking to join a law firm where you can proudly bring your true personality, we invite you to apply today. DALDEWOLF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion means that regardless of your identity and no matter the path you have taken to get here, we value you. DALDEWOLF is committed to equal employment opportunities, regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or gender identity. We understand that diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, interests, and skills is essential to cultivate excellence in legal counsel that serves everyone in society. If you can contribute to the success of our firm and find fulfillment here, we look forward to meeting you! Apply today for any role that seems to be the next appropriate step in your journey, regardless of the criteria we have listed.