Teamwork and talent shone as ALN, Bowmans, UUBO, Afriwise, and DLA Piper Africa are among the stars of a glittering 2026 IFLR Africa Awards

Dealmaking at the highest level is never about an individual, but instead is the result of a team’s shared judgement, discipline, and an unwavering focus on client outcomes, says Bowmans’ chair and Senior Partner Ezra Davids, after he was named Lawyer of the Year: South Africa at the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards earlier this week.

Now in their sixth year, the IFLR Africa Awards celebrate legal innovation in dealmaking, whether through pioneering new legal frameworks, designing novel structures, or setting benchmarks for others to follow. They celebrate the work that strengthens the cross-border investment environment, and highlight some of the most notable of those achievements of 2025 from across the African continent.

Bowmans was one of the ‘big winners’ this year, among a handful of African law firms including Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie, various members of the ALN network and DLA Piper Africa, and Webber Wentzel to scoop several awards on Tuesday night. 

The ALN network, which scooped a remarkable 17 trophies, including Legal Network of the Year and Francophone Africa Law Firm of the Year for its member firm ADNA, says growth within Africa is “increasingly shaped by a deeper understanding of local needs, where success depends on how well solutions reflect the realities of the people and markets they serve”. Value is provided by firms that provide relevance, clarity, and the ability to navigate complex, localised opportunities and challenges.

Such African excellence was on show and celebrated throughout Tuesday night in Cape Town, with leading firms, in-house teams, and individuals from across the continent honoured for their superb work in various sectors and jurisdictions. 

Along with Davids winning Lawyer of the Year for South Africa, Bowmans received the prestigious African Law Firm of the Year prize, and was also named South African Law Firm of the Year and received the Team of the Year Award for M&A: Regional, as well as four Deal of the Year awards. The firm’s M&A team spans Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, and has the ability to expertly navigate differing regulatory frameworks and national authorities. Bowmans credits its ‘one firm’ approach for the success of several of the year’s largest African deals.

“These accolades are a powerful endorsement of our commitment to pioneering legal solutions that drive progress across the continent,” says Davids. “I’m grateful to our clients for giving us the opportunity to work on deals that result in growth and investment in this beautiful continent that we call home.”

For ALN, its member firms in Kenya, Mauritius, and Zambia were honoured as the National Law Firms of the Year in their respective jurisdictions, among multiple accolades, while its member firms in Ghana and Nigeria scooped further awards. Several individuals from ALN firms were also recognised, including ALN Kenya | Anjarwalla & Khanna partner Sonal Tejpar being inducted into the IFLR Women Dealmakers Hall of Fame for her lasting impact on the financial legal landscape. 

ALN Kenya Managing Partner Rosa Nduati-Mutero, ALN Mauritius | BLC Robert & Associates Senior Partner Jean-Eric Sauzier, and ALN Zambia Co-Managing Partner Simon Kapampa were each named Lawyers of the Year for their jurisdictions. Shane Mungur, Senior Associate at ALN Mauritius, received the Rising Star: National award, highlighting the next generation shaping the future of legal practice.

“These honors are never individual,” shared Kapampa, who described the IFLR Africa Awards as a truly humbling moment. “They are the result of a collective commitment to excellence, consistency, and shared purpose. I am fortunate to work alongside an exceptional team whose dedication, intellect, and integrity continue to raise the bar every day.”

That sense of teamwork and local talent in Africa shone throughout the evening. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dan Agbor, Of Counsel and former Senior Partner at leading Nigerian firm Udo Udoma & Belo Osagie (UUBO).

“There is no award more fitting, and no person more deserving,” said the firm, noting Agbor’s brilliant and extraordinary 34-year career leading up to his retirement in January 2025, during which time he became one of Nigeria’s most respected legal figures. “He was, and remains, a trusted advisor, a mentor, a teacher, and a friend to so many who have had the privilege of working alongside him. His influence on the careers he shaped and the culture he helped build at UUBO is immeasurable.”

UUBO also scooped Nigerian National Law Firm of the Year (for the second year running), while its Managing Associate Lisa Esamah was named Rising Star: National Practice, and the firm won three Deal of the Year Awards for Capital Markets: Equity Impact Deal of the Year, Loans Impact Deal of the Year, and M&A Deal of the Year. 

Among other African firms with multiple awards, Conakry-based business law firm Thiam & Associés scooped both Law Firm of the Year in the Republic of Guinea, as well as Lawyer of the Year for its founder and Managing Partner Baba Hady Thiam. South African firm Webber Wentzel went home with four IFLR Africa Awards, two for Deals of the Year (M&A and Capital Markets), and two for Teams of the Year (Financial Services Regulatory - Regional and Capital Markets - Regional). 

DLA Piper Africa also won multiple accolades: its member firms were named National Firm of the Year in Algeria (L&P Partners) and Zimbabwe (Manokore Attorneys), and DLA Piper shared Deal of the Year M&A for its work on the merger between Canal+ and MultiChoice. Mounir Ait Belkacem of DLA Piper Africa (L&P Partners) won Lawyer of the Year of Algeria, while Rainor Robinson of DLA Piper, Zimbabwe (Manokore Attorneys) also won Lawyer of the Year for his jurisdiction. 

It was also a double-up for Windhoek-based firm SNC Inc, which scooped Namibian Law Firm of the Year along with its founder Shakwa Nyambe, who last year became the first African to become President of the Association of International Energy Negotiators, winning Lawyer of the Year for Namibia. 

Leading legal intelligence company Afriwise, who partner with Africa Legal for the GC Forum Governance Risk & Compliance, was also a multiple 2026 IFLR Africa Awards winner, taking home the Tech Innovation Award for the second year running, while its CEO and founder Steven De Backer was honoured with the individual Market Reform Award. 

More than anything, said Afriwise in the aftermath, the 2026 IFLR Africa Awards ceremony was a reminder that the African legal ecosystem is full of people doing serious, meaningful work. 

For a full list of 2026 IFLR Africa Awards winners, visit the official website.