NSDV Law

Keeping You on the (African) Map, Successfully

NSDV Law has helped clients throughout the continent, and our playing field continues to expand

Keeping You on the (African) Map, Successfully

NSDV Law has helped clients throughout
the continent, and our playing field
is expanding

Pssst,

We also have specialised Energy Law and Corporate Commercial Law teams. Truth be told,
they’re the life of our office parties – we promise to invite you next time.

Chambers South Africa
Specialist Law firm of
the Year, 2025 Shortlist

Landing You (Safely) in
Africa’s Growth Zone

This Time (and next time)
For Africa

Our practice is designed to help you safely land (and thrive) on the African continent. With deep sector expertise and strategic relationships with local law firms and key industry players, we guide you through Africa’s ever evolving business landscape.

Our mission is to help you establish a strong foothold, manage risks, and tap into Africa’s rapid growth. Whether navigating regulatory challenges, resolving complex disputes, or connecting foreign capital with African opportunities, we’re here to ensure your success across the continent.

We bring
the reins
to Africa

Landing You (Safely) in Africa’s Growth Zone

This Time (and next time)
For Africa

Our practice is designed to help you safely land (and thrive) on the African continent. With deep sector expertise and strategic relationships with local law firms and key industry players, we guide you through Africa’s ever evolving business landscape.

Our mission is to help you establish a strong foothold, manage risks, and tap into Africa’s rapid growth. Whether navigating regulatory challenges, resolving complex disputes, or connecting foreign capital with African opportunities, we’re here to ensure your success across the continent.

We bring the reins
to Africa

Keeping Your Business an
African Dream

We Know the Law of This Land

We understand that managing legal projects across multiple jurisdictions can be challenging, especially when it comes to timelines and budgets. That’s why we’ve built strong relationships with trusted local counsel across Africa to ensure seamless, consistent service delivery. By partnering with us, you get a single point of contact for all your legal needs – whether it’s construction contracts, adjudication, international arbitration, or environmental permitting and audits.

We collaborate with local counsel when needed – but always ensure that your projects are managed efficiently in terms of cost, time, and quality. This helps you mitigate risks and stay on track, wherever you’re doing business.

Key Sectors We Support
Across Africa

Key Sectors We Support Across Africa

Hands-On Service (But No
Hand-Holding, Promise!)

We provide a personalised, client-focused approach, specialising in mining, environmental, construction, and energy law. Our hands-on approach means you’ll work directly with the lead attorney on your matter – yes, even on WhatsApp. We prioritise organic growth across Africa, offering high-quality services at competitive rates direct from South Africa.

Unearthing Solutions to Common Complexities

Streamlined Solutions for Multi-Jurisdictional Challenges

We provide legal solutions across multiple African countries, including regulatory compliance, dispute resolution, and contract management – from Francophone and Portuguese-speaking civil law jurisdictions to English-speaking common law jurisdictions. Our services include:

  • Due diligence assessments
  • Local entity formation
  • Compliance with ownership laws, including stricter local ownership, procurement, and citizen economic empowerment requirements
  • Drafting various corporate transaction documents
  • Obtaining regulatory, compliance, and competition approvals
  • Contract mining agreements
  • Offtake and professional services agreements
  • Operation and maintenance agreements
  • Capex and construction agreements
  • Agreements based on industry standard contracts (NEC, FIDIC, JBCC)
  • Due diligence assessments
  • Local entity formation
  • Compliance with ownership laws, including stricter local ownership, procurement, and citizen economic empowerment requirements
  • Drafting various corporate transaction documents
  • Obtaining regulatory, compliance, and competition approvals
  • Contract mining agreements
  • Offtake and professional services agreements
  • Operation and maintenance agreements
  • Capex and construction agreements
  • Agreements based on industry standard contracts (NEC, FIDIC, JBCC)
  • Acquiring and maintaining mining and exploration rights
  • Advising on environmental management and ESG compliance
  • Assisting with mineral marketing
  • Addressing tax and exchange control obligations, including foreign currency remittance challenges
  • Navigating resource nationalism and rapidly evolving laws in the critical minerals sector
  • Managing political and sovereign risk to safeguard investments and projects
  • Advising on increased scrutiny and regulation of mining projects amid shifting commodity prices
  •  
  • Acquiring and maintaining mining and exploration rights
  • Advising on environmental management and ESG compliance
  • Assisting with mineral marketing
  • Addressing tax and exchange control obligations, including foreign currency remittance challenges
  • Navigating resource nationalism and rapidly evolving laws in the critical minerals sector
  • Managing political and sovereign risk to safeguard investments and projects
  • Advising on increased scrutiny and regulation of mining projects amid shifting commodity price

Results, Delivered

The Proof in Our Pudding

Case 1 – Botswana Infrastructure Project

NSDV Law played a key role in a Botswana government infrastructure project, assisting the appointed development manager in drafting construction contracts for a strategic national road connecting Botswana to South Africa.

 
Case 2 – DRC Mining Transaction and Advice

NSDV Law provided comprehensive advisory services to a junior miner in the DRC, covering areas such as share acquisitions, contract mining, offtake agreements, and applying for mining rights.

Case 3 – Mali Construction Law Advice

NSDV Law successfully assisted a South African firm of consulting engineers and a Malian gold miner in drafting agreements for the structural design of a significant sulphide conversion project.

 
Case 4 – Eswatini High Court Dispute

NSDV Law successfully helped a South African mining company overturn a High Court order that halted iron ore sales from its Eswatini operations. This was crucial for the local economy and employment, as the Kingdom of Eswatini is a significant shareholder in the mine. The dispute was ultimately steered towards settlement discussions.

Navigating African Investment
with Confidence

Your (Legal) Guide Across The Continent

Expanding into Africa’s mining, infrastructure, and energy sectors comes with both opportunities and complexities. We help you navigate investment laws, structure deals effectively, and ensure compliance every step of the way, including resolving disputes through adjudication, arbitration, settlement agreements, and court proceedings.

Our expertise includes:

  • Bilateral investment protection treaties
  • Double taxation agreements
  • Foreign investment protection laws
  • Market entry and exit strategies
  • Corporate and tax structure optimisation
  • Infrastructure project procurement models (PPP, EPC, etc.)
  • Local ownership and economic empowerment laws
  • Local content and procurement regulations
  • Exchange control compliance
  • Licensing and regulatory compliance across key sectors

How We Work It, Work It​

Seamless Legal Solutions Across Africa​

At NSDV Law, we keep a close watch on legal and regulatory developments across Africa, keeping you informed of any changes that could impact your business. We analyse and identify potential risks and opportunities – ensuring you stay compliant and competitive. Whether navigating regulatory challenges or pursuing exemptions, our vast understanding of Africa’s legal landscape allows us to guide you through every twist and turn.

We keep you in the know through:

  • Regular thought leadership articles in digital and print media
  • Presenting and speaking, or attending at industry-leading conferences such as; 
    • Future Energy, Solar, and Storage Conference,
    • African Renewable Energy Indaba,
    • Pan African Data Centres Conference,
    • Investing in African Mining Indaba,
    • African Property Investment Summit,
    • Junior Indaba
    • DEVAC Hydrogen H Indaba.
    • G20 Indaba
    • Joburg Indaba
  • Regular training on construction law contracts to industry professionals
  • WhyAfrica – A strategic partnership we have with this leading publication dedicated to the African mining, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors

We Speak Fluent
Ts & Cs

Thanks
Toto, we’ll
take the reins
now

How We Work It,
Work It​

Seamless Legal Solutions Across Africa​

At NSDV Law, we keep a close watch on legal and regulatory developments across Africa, keeping you informed of any changes that could impact your business. We analyse and identify potential risks and opportunities – ensuring you stay compliant and competitive.Whether navigating regulatory challenges or pursuing exemptions, our vast understanding of Africa’s legal landscape allows us to guide you through every twist and turn.

We keep you in the know through:

  • Regular thought leadership articles in digital and print media
  • Presenting and speaking at industry-leading conferences such as 
    • the Future Energy, Solar, and Storage Conference,
    • the African Renewable Energy Indaba,
    • the Pan African Data Centres Conference,
    • the Investing in African Mining Indaba,
    • the African Property Investment Summit,
    • the Junior Indaba, and 
    • the DEVAC Hydrogen H Indaba.
  • Regular training on construction law contracts to industry professionals
  • WhyAfrica – A strategic partnership we have with this leading publication dedicated to the African mining, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors

Your Head Honchos

Leading the Way Across Africa

Our flexible, personalised approach sets us apart in the African legal market. We deliver high-quality legal services and support, while keeping the costs in check.

Lili Nupen

Co-Founder & Director:
Mining, Environmental
& Energy

Lili can be found chatting to the Head of Legal for the DMRE one moment, and be sitting in union meetings to secure a workable solution for her clients the next.

It’s by sincerely considering everyone at the table (and those away from it) equally important that’s earned Lili her place amongst the most beloved legal advisors in the industry.

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Methembeni Moyo

Head of Africa Practice &
Senior Mining & Construction
Lawyer

Methembeni (Mett) is an experienced lawyer hailing from Zimbabwe, with extensive cross-border experience. Mett’s experience covers complex adjudications and arbitrations, negotiating commercial contracts in the mining sector, and advising clients on the acquisition and maintenance of mining and exploration rights.

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Clients

At NSDV Law, we help you navigate Africa’s complex legal landscapes with ease, ensuring your cross-border operations run smoothly. By understanding the unique legal requirements of each country, we create bespoke strategies that minimise risks and maximise efficiency.

Our deep understanding of local laws combined with strong relationships with legal experts, engineers, and government officials, allows us to proactively tackle challenges and unlock opportunities that you might otherwise miss. With us, you get hands-on legal support that keeps your business moving forward across Africa.

Get In Touch