The pathway to delivering Nigeria’s critical infrastructure is fraught with legal, financial, and operational complexity.
Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit presents both a pressing national imperative and a historic economic opportunity. Bridging this gap demands more than capital—it requires legal resilience and bankable projects that can withstand complexity and deliver long-term impact. Hendon Partners is a critical legal catalyst that transforms national development policy and private sector investment into tangible, operational assets and forward-thinking objectives. We collaborate closely with our clients to navigate the high-stakes ecosystem of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), multi-sourced financing, and strigent regulatory frameworks, guiding clients to achieve financial close, allocate risk strategically, and secure critical approvals from authorities like the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
In a sector where technical, financial, and regulatory complexities converge, our legal counsel serve as a shield and a catalyst. Our legal team provides more than legal advice; we deliver executable strategy. Our deep expertise in the sector enables us to de-risk projects from conception through commissioning and beyond. We structure transactions that balance commercial viability with developmental impact and social responsibility, ensuring projects are not only financially successful but also legally viable and socially beneficial. Our end-to-end involvement—from feasibility studies and bid advisory to financial structuring, contract negotiation, and long-term dispute resolution—makes us an indispensable ally in delivering Nigeria’s most critical infrastructure.
We serve the entire infrastructure project ecosystem, providing tailored counsel to:
- Project Sponsors & Developers: Local and international entities driving project initiation and equity investment.
- Lenders & Financial Institutions: Commercial banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), and syndicates providing debt financing.
- Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) Consortia: Contractors tasked with project delivery.
- Government Ministries, Departments & Agencies (MDAs): Federal and state bodies as grantors or public partners in PPP frameworks.
- Equity Investors & Fund Managers: Private equity, infrastructure funds, and pension funds seeking long-term returns.
- Multilateral & Export Credit Agencies: International bodies providing funding, guarantees, and risk insurance.
With a proven track record of success, our project finance and PPP legal team have led the way in shaping Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape through landmark transactions and pioneering projects. Our legal expertise in project finance and infrastructure include:
1. Project Development & PPP Advisory
- Feasibility studies and bid process management for PPP projects.
- Drafting and advising on RFQs, RFPs, and tender documentation.
- Structuring PPP models (BOT, BOOT, DBFOM, etc.) in compliance with the ICRC Act.
- Negotiation and drafting of Concession Agreements, Implementation Agreements, and State Support Instruments.
- Advisory on viability gap funding and government incentives.
2. Project Finance & Lending
- Structuring of debt and equity financing for large-scale projects.
- Documentation for syndicated and club loan facilities.
- Advice to security trustees and preparation of comprehensive security packages.
- Restructuring and refinancing of existing project debt.
- Legal due diligence for lenders and investors.
3. Contracting & Risk Management
- Negotiation and drafting of Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC) contracts.
- Preparation of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and offtake agreements.
- Advice on risk allocation strategies and insurance wrap-up structures.
- Drafting of subcontracts, supply agreements, and interface agreements.
- Force majeure and change-in-law provisions advisory.
4. Regulatory & Compliance
- Navigating approvals from the ICRC, National Council on Privatization (NCP), and sector regulators (NERC, NCAA, etc.).
- Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance advisory.
- Land acquisition and compensation legal frameworks.
- Tax structuring and incentives optimization.
- Anti-corruption and anti-bribery (FCPA/UK Bribery Act) compliance.
To discuss how we can provide the legal foundation for your next infrastructure project, contact our Practice Lead: [Insert Name & Contact Details]