LEX Africa bolsters pan-African footprint with new members firms in Somalia, Burkina Faso, and Congo-Brazzaville

The addition of Just Legal Services in Somalia, Cabinet Yanogo Bobson in Burkina Faso, and Cabinet Bembelly et Associés in Congo- Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo) strengthens Lex Africa’s continental reach and brings deep local expertise across several practice areas, says Pieter Steyn, the Chairperson of Lex Africa.

Founded in 1993 by pre-eminent South African firm Werksmans Attorneys and leading Kenyan firm Kaplan & Stratton, LEX Africa is the oldest and largest African legal alliance, providing a ‘one stop shop’ wherever clients wish to do business, via its membership of leading independent firms covering much of the continent.

Earlier today, Steyn, a Director at Werksmans Attorneys, was delighted to share that with the addition of Just Legal Services, Cabinet Yanogo Bobson, and Cabinet Bembelly et Associés, LEX Africa now spans 32 countries and over 600 lawyers, strengthening our reach across East, West, North, South and Central Africa.

“Each firm brings deep local expertise in corporate/commercial/M&A, dispute resolution and regulatory law as well as sectors such as energy, mining, finance, oil & gas, telecommunications, media and IT/cyber law, enhancing our ability to deliver seamless cross‑border legal solutions for clients across the continent.”

Established in 2010 by a group of Somali lawyers and legal experts, Just Legal Services is Somalia’s first modern law firm. Based in Hargeisa and Mogadishu, and combining “traditional legal values with a modern, solutions-focused approach”, the firm has a mission to strengthen justice, legal access, and institutional capacity across the Somali Peninsula, and advises government, public, and private clients.

Its Managing Partner, Fahad Arteh, is a highly experienced lawyer who also recently served as a senior consultant to Somalia’s Independent Constitutional Review And Implementation Commission (ICRIC). “It has been a profound honour to contribute to this historic process,” shared Arteh. “Moments like these remind us that meaningful progress is built through patience, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building stronger institutions for the future of Somalia, and the Somali People.”

Cabinet Yanogo-Bobson is a boutique business law firm based in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, providing clear, strategic, and reliable legal support to national and international clients operating across West Africa.

Co-founded by internationally recognised lawyers Bobson Coulibaly and Pierre Yanogo, the firm delivers tailored legal strategies across business law, extractive industries, financial services, labour law, and regulatory reform. Its mission is to provide legal certainty, support sustainable investment, and contribute to the strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks in Burkina Faso and the region.

The new LEX Africa member firm for the Republic of the Congo, Cabinet Bembelly et Associés was established last year by highly experienced lawyer Roland Bembelly, who specialises in OHADA law, mining, and oil and gas sector regulations.

The firm’s lawyers are not only practitioners but also respected legal scholars who contribute to policy development, notes LEX Africa. For clients in the energy and natural resources sectors, Bembelly & Associés offers sophisticated, nuanced advice essential for navigating the legal and regulatory environment of the Congo.

“Our growth is about strategically enhancing our ability to serve you where it matters most,” said LEX Africa when officially announcing the new members. “The addition of our new members deepens our expertise in three new countries and key sectors and opens up access to some of Africa’s most dynamic and challenging markets. Each new firm was selected for its proven leadership, expertise, deep local knowledge, and commitment to best professional legal practice and standards.”