DLA Piper continues Africa-wide momentum with two Corporate Awards

Global law firm, DLA Piper, announced that it has won two awards across Africa this month, highlighting the strength of its cross-border Corporate Finance and M&A offering.

In Nigeria, our DLA Piper Africa member firm, Olajide Oyewole LLP won the Private Equity Deal of the Year award at the DealMakers West Africa Annual Awards, hosted in Lagos, Nigeria. The award recognised the firm's leading role in advising Helios Investment Partners' exit from Axxela.

Alongside, the firm was ranked as the third most active General Corporate Finance Legal Advisor (by transaction value) at the DealMakers East Africa Annual Awards.

These recognitions highlight the firm’s continued role in driving corporate and transactional activity across Africa. DealMakers tracks and records general corporate finance across the continent, underscoring our strong and consistent performance across Africa.

The achievements build on a series of other recent successes including DLA Piper’s top ranking for African M&A transactions by deal volume (MergerMarket 2025) and for the Middle East and Africa category (by deal volume) for the third consecutive year (MergerMarket 2023-2025). Other recent Corporate and M&A accolades include:

• Third most active South African General Corporate Finance legal advisers at the annual Ansarada DealMakers Awards 2025
• Deal of the Year: Mergers & Acquisitions (Canal+/Multichoice) at the IFLR Africa Awards 2026
• Best Law Firm of the Year at the SuperReturn Africa Awards 2025

James Kamau, Chair of DLA Piper Africa, said: “Being recognised across three key African regions reinforces the depth and strength of our Corporate practice across the continent. Our teams continue to advise on complex, high‑value and cross‑border matters, and this recognition reflects both the strength of our people and the trust our clients place in us.”

Peter Somekh, Managing Director for the Middle East and Africa, DLA Piper, added: “As general corporate activity continues to evolve across Africa’s fast‑growing markets, these accolades are further evidence of our ability to offer clients integrated, seamless advice across jurisdictions. We are proud to see our work recognized in the form of both awards and acknowledgements in leading legal directories.”