Partner Nicolas Jean is a member of Gide's executive committee.

Nicolas Jean joined Gide in 2008. He specializes in projects, project financing, banking and structured financing. He acts primarily in sub-Saharan and North Africa in the fields of energy, infrastructure, real estate and telecommunication.

He regularly advises governments, public authorities investors, sponsors, operators (local or international) and financial institutions on the implementation of major development projects (construction and operation), including their structuring and financing.

Nicolas also specializes in legislative and regulatory reforms to conduct change. To this end, he is currently supervising the reform of the tourism and leisure sector in Côte d'Ivoire and the mobilization of related funds, and has recently coordinated the drafting of Côte d'Ivoire's new construction code.

In April 2020, Nicolas Jean has initiated Gide's African Debt taskforce which established the first Think Tank dedicated to African debt: A new ROAD (A New Round-Table On African Debt). Designed as a cross-disciplinary and international platform, A new ROAD brings together decision-makers, institutions, commercial banks and private operators as well as financial and legal experts to offer innovative solutions regarding the sustainability of African debt and the development of foreign investment.

Nicolas joined Gide's Tunis office in 2008, before moving to the Structured Finance team in Paris from 2011 to 2015, and the Projects (Finance & Infrastructure) practice group in January 2016. He holds a specialised Master's degree in International Business Law and Management from ESSEC business school (2008), and in Business Law and in European Business law from Nancy II University (2007). Nicolas is a lecturer in structured finance law at Science-Po Paris and in business law (Master's level) at Lorraine University.

Nicolas Jean is recommended in Project Finance and Energy by international legal guides Legal 500 and IFLR1000. He is well recognized for his work on the African continent and is regularly listed in the rankings of Jeune Afrique, Décideurs - Africa Desk and Financial Afrik.

In 2021, Nicolas was ranked 1st among the 100 most influential business lawyers in French-speaking Africa.

« Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I.’s 29-lawyer team runs a comprehensive practice. The firm is a key player for large PPP and infrastructure projects in France. The international practice is equally strong and advises on major infrastructure projects in Africa. The group stands out for advising leading financial institutions, sponsors and governmental entities on landmark renewables and power projects, but also acts on several projects in Asia, including one of the continent’s ground-breaking nuclear projects in India and strategic oil and gas projects. The practice is co-headed by Stéphane Vernay and Marie Bouvet-Guiramand, both key names for international projects. Other key members for international projects include the highly-experienced John Crother, Nicolas Jean and Victor Grandguillaume who became a partner in February 2020. Thomas Courtel and Laetitia Lemercier are top names for domestic work. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2020