Gide, Law Firm of the Year for the 5th consecutive year in the Africa Business+ ranking
For the fifth consecutive year, Gide has been recognised as “Law Firm of the Year” in the 100 Legal Powerlist 2026 ranking, published by Africa Business+. This distinction confirms Gide’s position as a reference on the African market, not only through the size of its Africa team, but through its ability to operate across virtually every segment of the market: major projects, financing, mergers and acquisitions, competition, arbitration and advice to States.
12 GIDE LAWYERS RANKED AMONG THE 100 MOST INFLUENTIAL
Gide is once again the most represented firm in the ranking, with 12 lawyers recognized —more than any other international firm.
Partner Victor Grandguillaume ranks 4th overall. He has overseen close to 80 matters covering infrastructure, mining, energy and public-private partnerships: solar power plants from Djibouti to Côte d’Ivoire, bauxite and alumina projects in Guinea, railway concessions in the DRC, special economic zone programmes, and missions entrusted by the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF) and the IFC.
PROJECT FINANCE AND ENERGY TRANSITION
In Morocco, partner Wacef Bentaibi (23rd) continues to advise OCP on several projects, while also acting for Engie, Nareva, the IFC and the African Development Bank on complex financing operations and strategic infrastructure.
In Paris, partner Marie Bouvet-Guiramand (60th) advises on landmark projects across the continent, including the Owendo Bypass motorway and the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric dam in Gabon.
Gide’s teams also remain highly active in the water, port, gas and desalination sectors.
A CONFIRMED PRESENCE IN MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS
Partners Julien David (32nd), Simon Auquier (51st) and Anis Jabnoun (67th), as well as partner Chloé Joachim de Larivière (87th) in Morocco, have advised on transactions involving, inter alia, the IFC, Proparco, British International Investment, SPE Capital, Carlyle, OCP and Société générale.
Meanwhile, partner Samy Laghouati (39th) remains a reference in Algeria on commercial litigation and industrial matters, while partner Ségolène Pelsy (56th) confirms the growing development of the competition practice, which has become essential on major cross-border transactions.
A STRATEGIC LOCAL FOOTPRINT
Based in Shanghai, counsel Xi Chen (49th) advises Chinese players on their projects across the continent, an expertise that builds on Gide’s long-standing presence alongside Asian investors in Africa.
This year also marks the entry into the ranking of newly appointed partner Magueye Gueye (77th), who took the helm of Gide’s new regional office in Dakar in April 2026 —the Firm’s fourth African office after Casablanca, Algiers and Tunis.
A NEW ENTRY IN REAL ESTATE
Finally, the 2026 ranking marks the entry of partner Loris Marghieri (94th), who has been leading the real estate practice of the Casablanca office since 2015. He advises on the full range of real estate transactions in Morocco, with recognised expertise in the tourism and hospitality sector, notably alongside the Onomo Hotels group on its hotel projects in Africa.
