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Africa & Asia
Connecting Continents, Shaping Law
This month, our focus turns to Africa and Asia, two regions reshaping global growth and investment. From Egypt’s ongoing legal and economic reforms and the strengthening of UAE–Moroccan relations, to the rise of Korean investment across the Middle East, this issue highlights the developments driving change across these markets.
We also explore the UAE’s role as a bridge between regions – a hub for private wealth management, dispute resolution, and cross-border collaboration, connecting businesses and investors across Africa and Asia. The articles in this edition offer practical insights into how these shifts are influencing trade, regulation, and market confidence across the wider region.
2025 is set to be a game-changer for the MENA region, with legal and regulatory shifts from 2024 continuing to reshape its economic landscape. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Qatar, and Bahrain are all implementing groundbreaking reforms in sustainable financing, investment laws, labor regulations, and dispute resolution. As the region positions itself for deeper global integration, businesses must adapt to a rapidly evolving legal environment.
Our Eyes on 2025 publication provides essential insights and practical guidance on the key legal updates shaping the year ahead—equipping you with the knowledge to stay ahead in this dynamic market.
A complete spectrum of legal services across jurisdictions in the Middle East & North Africa.
Francis Patalong
Senior Counsel
Biography
Francis is a Senior Counsel whose practice spans international trade, regulation, and infrastructure projects, with deep expertise advising governments, sponsors, developers, and contractors on complex PPP projects in renewable energy, defence, and social infrastructure sectors. He also advises on M&A and commercial matters across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, South Africa, and KSA.
Francis is an active contributor to climate law initiatives and ESG efforts. He participated in the Global Climate Law Initiative/International Bar Association panel on Climate Competent Lawyering at COP28 in Dubai and led the firm’s COP28 podcast initiative, engaging thought leaders from engineering, academia, carbon capture, and capital markets on climate challenges. He sits on the firm’s Law Update Editorial, CSR, and Knowledge Management committees and has authored numerous articles on climate change impacts in the Kingdom. Francis also champions the firm’s ESG strategy, leading young lawyers across the region to participate in The Chancery Lane Project, a pro bono project tackling legal drafting related to scope 3 emissions.
Recent Experience
- Advising Saudi government on carbon capture law, regulations and regulatory framework.
- Advising a major international bourse on establishing regional headquarters in KSA.
- Advised the EPC contractor on the 400 MW Sakaka PV Project in KSA.
- Advised developers, sponsors, and contractors on the South African Renewable Energy IPP initiative (SAREIPP).
- Advised Eskom on its Direct Agreements for the SAREIPP
- Advised an e-vehicle manufacturer on entry into the KSA market.
- Provided counsel on various anti-dumping matters under GATT in the chemicals sector.
- Advised a KSA state entity in the power sector on three complex international construction arbitrations.
- Supported clients on complex consortium agreements related to energy and infrastructure developments in KSA and other jurisdictions.
- Advised the National Center for Privatization and PPP on divestment and IPO strategy and drafting the new Private Sector Participation Law.
- Advised the Ministry of Health on a pathfinder PPP accommodation project at Al Iman Hospital in Riyadh.
- Advised a major independent power producer on KSA arbitration provisions for IPP projects, providing guidance on dispute resolution, contractual risk, and regulatory compliance.
- Advised the operator of the North-South railway on health and safety issues, including catastrophic event liability.
- Advised on multi-jurisdictional shareholder disputes and complex cross-border transactions with energy or infrastructure components.
- Advised a KSA government-affiliated energy utility on a force majeure claim, providing guidance on contractual risk and dispute resolution.
- Seconded to UK Ministry of Defence PFI/PPP Unit.
Language(s)
- English
Education
1990 – BA English Literature, Oxford University
Admission
1997 – Solicitor of Supreme Court
2019- CEDR Accredited Mediator
Practice(s)
Insights
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