Baker McKenzie LLP is reputed for its robust expertise in emerging markets, focusing largely on trade, export, and commodity financing. The team’s offering spans Asia, Europe, CIS, the Middle East, and Latin America, acting for financial institutions, multilateral institutions, commodity traders, exporters, producers and corporate borrowers. Team head Luka Lightfoot is a go-to for both lenders and sponsors on banking and finance matters in Africa. US and UK qualified Megan Schellinger is a debt capital markets expert and is particularly active in Türkiye. International debt offerings also form a core of Adam Farlow‘s practice, while Philip Thomson focuses on the energy and infrastructure sectors.

Clifford Chance LLP has a significant presence in the practice area, with a particular strength across Africa, Eastern Europe and India. The team is particularly renowned in banking and finance matters and is also active on projects, securities, and international arbitration. Leadership of the team is split between Simon Williams and Kayode Oladipo. Williams advises on the acquisition of a broad range of assets, while Oladipo specialises in cross-border loan financing. Rounding out the robust bench is Deborah Zandstra, whose practice centres around sovereign debt advisory work and Olamide Oladosu, who focuses on energy projects. Recent instructions include a record DFI capital raise acting for the Bank of Industry in a €1.879 billion syndicated loan. Michael Obiri-Darko is another notable individual.

Dentons is widely recognised for drawing on its extensive global network of offices across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS region. The team is singled out for its broad expertise, covering banking and finance, capital markets, corporate M&A, energy and infrastructure, and TMT mandates. Developing markets are core to both team leads’ practices: trade finance and asset finance specialist Paul Holland and head of banking and finance Nick Hayday. John Inglis remains a go-to for infrastructure and energy projects, supported by Colm Ó hUiginn, whose recent instructions include advising on three large-scale renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan valued at over US$ 1 billion.  David Cohen and Cameron Half routinely handle debt capital market and securities matters, respectively, in emerging markets. James Ingham is also recommended for his deep knowledge of syndicated facilities for major banks in the Middle East.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP’s international markets team houses strong emerging markets expertise, which spans Africa, CIS and CEE, the Middle East, India, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Team head Martin Kavanagh is an energy and infrastructure finance specialist and is a go-to for major DFIs. Christian Leathley focuses on international arbitration in the oil and gas and engineering sectors. Other key practitioners include debt capital markets expert Amy Geddes, head of the India finance practice Dhananjaya Chak, who regularly advises sponsors and lenders in Southeast Asia.

Linklaters LLP‘s London office collaborates closely with its global offices and has alliances with local law firms to serve clients across Africa, CEE, India, Latin America, the Middle East, CIS, Southeast Asia, and Turkey. The firm’s strengths cover a breadth of practices, including banking and finance, capital markets, corporate transactions, energy and infrastructure projects, and dispute resolution. U.S.-qualified corporate finance partner Yaroslav Alekseyev and debt capital markets expert Simon Few are key to the team.

Norton Rose Fulbright serves a diverse client base in emerging markets, from major corporates, borrowers and sponsors to investment banks and government bodies. Drawing on its network of global offices, the team assists clients with both local and international law. The firm predominantly focuses on matters related to energy, infrastructure and natural resources, covering mining, oil and gas, power and renewables and infrastructure development mandates. Martin McCann oversees the group and leads on marquee project financing transactions. Daniel Metcalfe is routinely instructed on complex financing structures across multiple jurisdictions, while Charles Whitney focuses on the CIS region, Central Asia and the Middle East and is active in the renewables sector. Whitney recently advised on the development, construction and financing of the Bukhara Solar IPP in Uzbekistan. Banking and finance lawyer Madhavi Gosavi handles the development and financing of energy projects in developing countries. Jessica Melville was promoted in January 2025 and excels at advising on projects in Africa.

Ashurst‘s London emerging markets group has a broad focus, with strengths in the energy, mining, infrastructure, telecoms, media & technology and transport sectors. Head of the Africa group Yann Alix is particularly active in M&A transactions and project development mandates. Alongside a robust mining practice, Alix is well-positioned to advise on matters related to oil and gas and renewables. Beyond Africa, the firm is building out its presence in India, spearheaded by co-heads Kalpana Unadkat and Shishir Mehta. Projects expert Sanja Udovicic has extensive experience in emerging markets and was recently instructed by the consortium involved in the development of a hydropower project on the Zambezi River in Mozambique. Matthew Wood and Quentin Robinson are also singled out for their specialist energy and infrastructure expertise in developing countries.

The London office of Baker Botts (UK) LLP is well known for its capabilities in major energy and natural resources and digital infrastructure projects. Team lead Stuart McIntyre is reputed for his work across Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East and specialises in financing mandates. McIntyre’s recent instructions include advising IFC on a loan of USD 35 million to a state-owned bank in Uzbekistan. Stuart Blythe is recognised for his M&A and joint venture expertise in the African telecoms industry. Alex Kerr stands out for his recent activity in the energy emerging markets sector, advising Air Products on the landmark US$8.4bn NEOM green hydrogen project in Saudi Arabia. Nicholas Jones is highly praised for advising on the full gamut of financing transactions in emerging markets. Mark Castillo-Bernaus joined the team from White & Case LLP in February 2025. A trio from Dechert LLP also joined the team in June 2025: Patrick Lyons, Jennifer Rees and Amy Rees.

Bracewell (UK) LLP‘s emerging markets group has a distinct niche in energy and natural resources. Beyond its core focus on oil and gas, the team is increasingly active in renewable energy matters. Practice head Jason Fox is a seasoned energy finance lawyer, while Tom Jamieson is an expert in commercial contracts covering the financing and refinancing of projects across Africa and the EMEA regions. Oliver Irwin is well-versed in advising both lenders and sponsors across the full spectrum of multi-sourced project financings. Other standouts include Robert Meade, who handles international disputes related to power infrastructure and trade, and Alistair Calvert whose primary focus is on international arbitration. Olivia Caddy has a niche in Francophone Africa, and energy lawyer Adam Blythe concentrates on M&A transactions.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP’s London office advises on a wide spectrum of matters in the emerging markets industry, covering Africa, India, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. The team’s comprehensive offering spans M&A, private equity, projects, disputes and joint ventures. The team also has a broad clientele, from financial institutions and private equity firms to energy and natural resources companies and governments. Geoffrey Burgess is at the helm of the department and particularly excels in M&A in Africa. Matthew Dickman is active in advising on the formation and fundraising of private investment funds in emerging markets.

A standout feature of the cross-practice emerging markets team at Mayer Brown International LLP is its strength in Central and Latin America. Areas of expertise for the London office include major financings and contentious and regulatory work covering bribery, corruption and sanctions. Ashley McDermott concentrates on complex cross-border financings and has particular specialisms in export finance and structured trade and commodity finance. Rachel Speight is experienced in projects in the mining and infrastructure sectors, with an emphasis on deals across Africa. Other practitioners of note include Raid Abu-Manneh, Bob Palmer and Kwadwo Sarkodie.

The multidisciplinary emerging markets team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has leading finance expertise, with a track record in project finance, trade and export finance and aviation finance. The department is well known for its capital markets experience, having recently advised several Turkish banks on their bond issuances. Seasoned capital markets lawyer Carter Brod is an expert on international securities offerings. On the finance front, Paul Denham is regularly instructed by senior and mezzanine lenders, credit funds, borrowers and private equity sponsors for acquisition financings. Olivier Chambord is singled out for his deep knowledge of the oil and gas sector in Africa. Allison Soilihi is also highlighted for her work on the full breadth of energy transactions.

Boutique emerging markets team Trinity International LLP has a niche in infrastructure and project finance transactions, with a particular specialism in power and renewables projects in Africa. Beyond sub-Saharan Africa, the firm has expanded its deal roster in Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Paul Biggs jointly leads the team with Simon Norris. Biggs regularly acts for host governments on the full gamut of renewable power projects, while Norris is well-versed in the structuring, development and financing aspects of deals. Heading up the APAC practice, Fiona Gulliford advises on the development of power networks in rural areas. Other key practitioners include co-heads of corporate Conrad Marais and Hugh Naylor, financing expert Rinku Bhadoria and Luke Muchamore, who has extensive experience in advising on construction contracts and power purchase agreements. Co-head of the DFI practice Jo Sykes also comes recommended. Elizabeth Handley supports the team on a broad range of mandates.

Fieldfisher‘s London office combines robust finance, corporate and energy, CIS and Africa teams to provide clients with a multidisciplinary service. The team particularly distinguishes itself for its extensive experience in the CIS region. Co-heads Nodir Sidikov and Cecily Davis are at the helm of the practice. Sidikov has a deep understanding of the Kazakhstan market and specialises in private and public M&A, joint ventures and finance. The team also benefits from Anna Crosby, who was promoted to partner in 2021 and excels in debt finance matters.

Developers, investors, financial institutions, and governments rely on Gowling WLG’s projects and infrastructure team for advice in the energy, infrastructure, natural resources, and finance sectors. The bench comprises head of projects Jonathan Brufal, corporate energy expert Gareth Baker, project finance specialist Imran Mufti, and go-to international arbitration partner Gordon Bell. Brufal is particularly active in the MENA region and has recently advised the Ministry of Sport for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the refurbishment of two stadiums.

‘Deep sectoral knowledge’ and ‘cross-border fluency’ distinguish Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP’s corporate and securities work in emerging markets. The team’s caseload spans cross-border M&A, finance, capital markets and funds. James Campbell and Matthew Oresman jointly oversee the department. Campbell routinely advises clients in the oil and gas, mining, technology and financial services sectors in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. Oresman works in the intersection of law and policy, with particular expertise in handling regulatory compliance, international disputes and sanctions.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP covers a broad range of project-related work, spanning the renewable energy, energy infrastructure, oil & gas and mining and commodities sectors. The team’s workload has a broad geographical reach, with a particular strength in the Middle East and Africa. Practice head Julian Nichol leads on the team’s marquee mandates, including the development and financing of the US$1.5bn Gaza Marine gas project in Palestine. Sarah Ellington is active in advising on ESG disputes.

Bates Wells‘ emerging markets practice is primarily dedicated to impact investing work, covering both equity and debt investments. The team is led by Joe Whitfield, who is particularly experienced in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. Sung-Hyui Park is distinguished for her expertise across a wide range of impact investing projects, from green and sustainability-linked loans to renewable energy financings. UK and foreign government-backed development investment funds, private equity funds and international foundations can rely on Nirav Patel for advice on cross-border M&A.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP‘s London office has separate teams focusing on different emerging markets, with an overarching strength in private capital. Adrian Mayer leads the Africa group. Mayer’s recent instructions include advising Mirova on its $20 million debt funding to ManoCap Energy. Head of the Latin America group, Robert Reymond, is a go-to for international wealth structuring, while Hamish Perry oversees the Caribbean desk. Kim Lalli joined in April 2024 from Wedlake Bell LLP and is taking the lead on the India practice at the firm.

Druces LLP is active in the corporate finance, energy, fintech, and natural resources sectors, with particular expertise in mining and capital markets work in the Middle East and Africa. Multijurisdictional fundraising is core to Jack Dervyn‘s practice. Dervyn is also well-positioned to advise on listing regulations, while Mark Lamph supports the team on fundraisings, acquisitions, and dual-listings. Christopher Axford also comes recommended.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is geared to support on energy matters, with a focus on the CEE region, the Middle East and Africa. Maurice Kenton is an expert in international arbitration, handling disputes in the mining, oil and gas, and renewables sectors. Sponsors, lenders, and investors rely on Dimitri Papaefstratiou, who joined the firm in March 2024, for advice on major projects in Africa. A duo from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, Seyfi Can Kandemir and Ayesha Waheed, joined the team in September 2024. Kandemir is deeply experienced in financings in emerging markets, while Waheed regularly represents developers and lenders on project and corporate financings.

Michelmores LLP is particularly active in impact investing and capital markets. On the impact side, the firm specialises in mid-market transactions while the capital markets practice regularly acts for entrepreneurs, institutional investors, debt financiers and operators on equity and debt investments. Harry Trick routinely advises DFIs and private equity funds in Sub-Saharan Africa, while Karen Williams’ workload centres on debt investments and restructurings.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP has developed a commercial disputes resolution practice with a wide geographical scope. The team is well-positioned to advise on joint venture disputes and cross-border enforcement and has a particular focus on India, the Middle East and Africa. Phillip D’Costa is co-head of the India group and has a track record in India for his expertise across commercial, financial services, fraud and IT disputes. Grant Eldred is equipped to support overseas banks on complex trade finance matters.