Laila ElAtfy

Real Estate & Construction and Hotels & Leisure

Real estate, construction, and hospitality are at the forefront of transformation across the Middle East – reshaping cities, driving investment, and demanding increasingly sophisticated legal frameworks.

In the June edition of Law Update, we take a closer look at the legal shifts influencing the sector – from Dubai’s new Real Estate Investment Funds Law and major reforms in Qatar, to Bahrain’s push toward digitalisation in property and timeshare regulation. We also explore practical issues around strata, zoning, joint ventures, and hotel management agreements that are critical to navigating today’s market.

As the landscape becomes more complex, understanding the legal dynamics behind these developments is key to making informed, strategic decisions.

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Eyes
On 2025

Legal Updates in
Middle East & North Africa

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.

The leading law firm in the Middle East & North Africa region.

Laila ElAtfy

Associate | Energy and Renewables

Biography

Laila El Atfy is an Associate in the Energy and Renewables Department at Nour and Partners in association with Al Tamimi & Company.

Laila’s education stemming from both the United Kingdom and Egypt gives her a cross-jurisdictional knowledge which allows her to bridge legal systems and provide commercially attuned, regulatory-sensitive advice across sectors.

Laila brings a diverse legal background that spans multiple core practice areas. Laila began her career in M&As and capital markets, where she gained substantial experience in corporate structuring, shareholders’ agreements, and cross-border acquisitions. Laila has also advised on complex securitization transactions, including the structuring and execution of asset-backed deals in coordination with regulatory authorities.

In recent years, Laila’s practice has increasingly concentrated on the energy and renewables sector. Laila advised on market entry regulations, licensing, and regulatory compliance for upstream/downstream oil & gas operations, industrial gas projects, and renewable energy developments. Laila’s work spans advisory support for multinational corporations, energy developers, and institutional clients on regulatory, transactional, and project-related matters across Egypt’s oil & gas, mining, and renewables landscape.

Prior to joining Al Tamimi & Company, Laila worked at top tier local law firms, as well as interning at ExxonMobil Egypt.

Recent Experience

Advised on the legal feasibility of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) in Egypt, including environmental permitting and engagement with relevant ministries and authorities;
Drafted and reviewed complex legal documents across sectors, including concession agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), shareholders’ agreements, usufruct agreements, services and supply agreements, lease agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
Advised and provided legal support to international oil and gas companies in relation to upstream concession agreements, joint operating agreements (JOAs), and compliance with EGPC and EGAS requirements, including the negotiation of amendments to production sharing agreements and advice on fiscal terms under Egyptian petroleum law.
Drafted a comprehensive legal compendium of all primary and secondary legislation governing the oil and gas sector in Egypt, including petroleum laws, executive regulations, ministerial decrees, and concession-specific frameworks, to support internal compliance and client advisory work.
Advised on the regulatory framework and licensing procedures governing oil and gas exploration and production activities in Egypt, including legal interface with the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority, the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation, and the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company.
Advised on compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to energy projects in Egypt
Advised on the largest M&A transaction in Egypt regarding the USD 2.5 Billion acquisition of Vodafone Egypt by Vodacom, the involvement included legal due diligence, transactional structuring, and regulatory compliance matters
Advised clients on a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including corporate restructuring, shareholders’ agreements, capital increases, and corporate governance;