King & Wood Mallesons has advised Bolloré Group on the negotiation and the signature of the concession agreements for the construction and operation of the 1050km rail infrastructures linking Niamey, the capital of the Niger, to Cotonou in Benin.

The agreements were signed on August 13  by the Beninese Prime Minister, Lionel Zinsou, his Nigerien counterpart Brigi Rafini, and Bolloré Group’s CEO of Railways, Thierry Ballard. The project is estimated to be worth €1 billion.

Richard Mugni, Energy and Infrastructure partner at King & Wood Mallesons had previously advised the Bolloré group on the incorporation of Benirail Infrasructure, a company incorporated under Beninese law, for the construction and rehabilitation of rail infrastructure on the Cotonou-Niamey line.

The KWM team was composed of:
Africa / Energy & Infrastructure

    Richard Mugni (partner) and Joana Becquet (associate)

Corporate

    Edouard Balades (associate)

Financing project

    Olivier Vermeulen (partner) and Adeline Tieu-Roboam (counsel)