Admitted to the Paris Bar in 2005, partner Wacef Bentaibi specialises in project finance (including PPPs, BOT and concession) in sectors such as energy, infrastructure and transportation (ports, airports, highways, bridges, tramways, etc.), acting for governments, sponsors or lenders.

Wacef has extensive experience in all aspects of industrial projects and real estate developments, as well as public contracts and large scale construction projects in Morocco (hospitals, universities, shopping centers...).

He has also developed a strong practice within the energy and natural resources sector including upstream oil & gas and mining and regularly advises international operators and governmental entities in Morocco and across the MENA region.

In 2021, Wacef is ranked among the 100 most influential corporate lawyers in French-speaking Africa by Jeune Afrique. He is also ranked as leading individual in the Legal 500 EMEA 2021 (Morocco - Projects & Public Law) and as Up and Coming in Corporate/Commercial by Chambers Global (Morocco).

« Wacef Bentaibi leads the team, advising sponsors and lenders on public and private infrastructure projects across Africa with a particular expertise in the mining and oil and gas sectors. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2023 - Morocco - Projects & Public Law

« Moving up in the rankings this year is Wacef Bentaibi, who is well recognised for his work acting on behalf of hospitality and energy clients in connection with investments and operations in Morocco. He co-heads the Casablanca office, where he additionally handles a range of project development and finance mandates. Strengths: "Wacef is very competent and very nice to deal with." »
Chambers Global 2023 - Corporate / Commercial

« Wacef Bentaibi co-heads Gide Cuatrecasas Casablanca. He is very highly regarded for his in-depth knowledge of project finance issues. »
Chambers Global 2023 - Banking & Finance

« The practice is led by Casablanca-based partner Wacef Bentaibi, who frequently acts for private operators, public entities and financial institutions in major infrastructure projects, PPPs, BOT deals and concessions, notably in the electricity, transportation, water and ports sectors. Bentaibi is advising the Kingdom of Morocco on a strategic study to reorganise electricity and water distribution in Moroccan regions. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2022 - Projects & Public Law

« Wacef Bentaibi is well recognised for his work acting on behalf of hospitality clients in connection with their investments and operations in Morocco. He co-heads the Casablanca office, where his practice has a strong emphasis on project development and finance. "He is very thorough and very knowledgeable." "He showed a deep knowledge of all legal issues raised during the PPP process." »
Chambers Global 2022 - Corporate / Commercial

« Wacef Bentaibi co-heads Gide Cuatrecasas Casablanca, which is a joint venture between two market-leading law firms headquartered in France and Spain respectively. He is very highly regarded for his in-depth knowledge of project finance issues. "He is very thorough and very knowledgeable." "He is very technically skilled." »
Chambers Global 2022 - Banking & Finance

« Wacef Bentaibi leads a team of local and internationally trained lawyers, and works with the firm's global projects group to advise international sponsors on concessions, BOT and PPP-related matters in the transport, water and power sectors. Senior associate Frédéric Pia is also recommended. »
Legal 500 EMEA 2021

« Wacef Bentaibi is head of the finance and infrastructure department. He is recognised for his work acting on behalf of hospitality industry clients in connection with their investments and operations in Morocco. His recent work also includes PPP and major lending transactions. »
Chambers Global 2021