André Duarte Figueira

Partner
He is assertive and rigorous in the way he deals with the problems presented to him.
— Legal 500, 2025
Lisbon
About

André Duarte Figueiras’ practice focuses on international projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors, with particular emphasis on Angola and the Portuguese-speaking African markets.

André advises clients on regulatory matters, concession agreements and complex, high-stakes negotiations across the oil & gas, mining and logistics industries. His experience combines private practice with an in-house background, giving him a commercially minded approach to cross-border transactions.

André's involvement in landmark transactions across the region has established him as a trusted adviser to leading investors and institutions operating in Portuguese-speaking Africa.

Areas of FocusEnergy and Natural ResourcesInfrastructure, Construction and Transport
Bar admissionsAdvogado admitted with the Ordem dos Advogados (Portuguese Bar Association)

EXPERIENCE

  • Advising a joint venture agreement between Somagec and Averi Finance, on the negotiation and execution of concession and power agreements with RNT of Angola and SNEL of the DRC, in connection with the development of a 400 kV high-voltage electricity interconnector and substations linking Soyo, Nóqui, Matadi, and Cabinda.
  • Advising a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest and most influential investment companies on the development of two mining projects in Angola, including the negotiation of a Joint Venture Agreement with a local partner and with ANRM (Agência Nacional de Recursos Minerais de Angola).
  • Advising a Dubai-based company, that operates in the mining sector, on the proposed acquisition of a growing global producer of high-value diamonds (Lucapa Diamond Company) and Angola-based mining company (Sociedade Mineira Do Lulo LDA).
  • Advising a private equity investor on a joint venture with Papis Energy, Nigeria, an oil and gas exploration and production company within the Pan African Petroleum Industrial Services group, focused on acquiring and developing upstream assets in West Africa.
  • Advising one of the world's leading international development finance institutions on developing an optimized Project Preparation Mechanism (PPM) to strengthen the bankability, credibility, and implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects under the Diversifica Mais program.
  • Advising an international organization hosted by the African Development Bank, on the development, legal structuring, negotiation and implementation of the Vuka Hydropower Project, Angola’s first major hydropower PPP, including the review of feasibility and financing arrangements, the negotiation of concession and power purchase agreements, and the development of a hydropower IPP framework for Angola.
  • Advising a world leader in end-to-end supply chain solutions on the International Public Tender, and the Concession Agreement to hand over the operation of the multipurpose terminal at the port of Luanda. The management of the terminal will last until 2040 in an overall agreement worth USD1bn.
  • Advising one of Africa’s leading integrated logistics, transportation and port solutions providers, on a concession agreement with Angola's Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX) to manage, maintain, and operate the container and general cargo terminal at the Port of Lobito.
  • Advising one of the leading Dubai-based real estate developer on their development projects in Angola involves providing comprehensive support throughout the entire project lifecycle, from the early planning stages to final execution. This includes facilitating the signing of the Concession Agreement and negotiating the investment agreement with the Private Investment and Export Promotion Agency (AIPEX).
  • Advising one of Africa’s leading integrated logistics, transportation and port solutions providers, on the International Public tender, and Concession Agreement for the Lobito’s general cargo and container terminal. Concession agreement for a 20-year period, consisting of a total investment worth over USD500m.
  • Advising one of the largest independent oil and gas equity producers in Angola on a 50/50 joint venture between BP and ENI, as well as providing ongoing support for its operations, covering a broad range of matters including agreements, public tenders and regulatory issues.
  • Advising a subsidiary of one of the world’s largest and most influential investment companies on the development of two mining projects in Angola, including the negotiation of a Joint Venture Agreement with a local partner and with ANRM (Agência Nacional de Recursos Minerais de Angola).
Languages
  • English
  • Portuguese
  • Spanish

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

  • Ranked as Next Generation Partners in Energy and natural resources by Legal 500
  • Ranked as Notable practitioner in Project development by IFLR1000, Portugal and Angola
Education
  • University of Lisbon School of Law, Energy Law: Electricity, gas, oil, biofuels and renewables, Specialisation course in Energy Law, 2017-2018
  • Portuguese Catholic University, Postgraduate Programme, Taxation 2013 - 2014
  • Universidade Lusíada de Lisboa, Law Degree, 2000-2006

Publications and media

  • The Oil and Gas Review – Portugal; The Law Reviews – Editor Christopher B Strong 

  • The Oil and Gas Review – Angola; The Law Reviews – Editor Christopher B Strong

Prior Experience

  • 2023 – present, Partner, DLA Piper (previously ABBC)
  • 2017 – 2023: Partner at one of the largest law firms in Iberia Energy and Infrastructure, head of the Oil, Gas & Mining dept., and coordinator of the activities in Angola.
  • 2013 – 2017: In-House Lawyer (legal manager) PORTFUEL – Petróleos e Gás de Portugal, Lda. / Petro Lions, LLC. (SLB – US Company)
  • 2009 – 2013: Project & Business Manager Lawyer Decathlon – Réseau Oxylane
  • 2006 – 2009: Associate at Law firm based in Lisbon

Memberships and Affiliations

  • Member of the Association of International Energy Negotiators

My latest insights

Publication

Industrial Activity in Angola: Public-Private Partnerships as a catalyst for cost...

17 March 2026

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Phone

+351 213 583 620
(Work, Lisbon)
+351 213 159 434
(Fax, Lisbon)

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