Kenya is no stranger to carbon trading. In fact, the Berkeley Carbon Trading Project Voluntary Registry Offsets database ranked Kenya as the second-largest issuer of voluntary carbon market credits in Africa in 2022, trailing the Democratic Republic of Congo.
James Kamau is the Chair of DLA Piper Africa and the Managing Partner at IKM. He is a leading corporate and projects lawyer in Kenya with over 27 years post admission experience. His main areas of practice include finance, private equity, mergers & acquisitions, energy, infrastructure and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).
James has handled numerous complex transactions and is the trusted legal adviser of leading local and multinational companies, private equity firms and development finance institutions with extensive business and investments in Africa.
His clients range from private equity firms, investment and commercial banks, leading corporates, project developers and sponsors, DFIs, government, parastatals and high net worth individuals.
Experience has included advising:
- Kenya-based Compagnie Gervais Danone in its acquisition of a 40% stake in Brookside Dairy Limited, one of the leading dairy companies in East and Central Africa with subsidiaries in Uganda and Tanzania
- Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, an entity listed on the London Stock Exchange, in the acquisition of 70% of Fina Bank Limited (now Guaranty Trust Bank Limited), a Kenyan bank with subsidiaries in Uganda and Rwanda
- A development finance institution on a 40 MW Solar Project in Malindi, Kilifi County, Kenya
- Two development finance institutions in a 50 MW wind power project being developed in Kajiado, Kenya
- Senior lenders on the development and construction of a 70 MW geothermal power plant and related facilities in the Rift Valley region in Kenya and the sale of capacity and energy thereof to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
- A consortium of investors led by an international NGO in respect of an innovative business model for a primary healthcare project which shall be piloted in Makueni County, Kenya before being scaled up to other Counties in the Country.
- A Chinese multinational company on its proposed investments in Kenya involving the development of berths at various ports and the construction of an industrial city.
- An independent power producer on two 40 MW solar power project in Uasin Gishu County.
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Kenya (1991)
Education
- Kenya School of Law, Diploma in Law (1991)
- University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Laws LL.B. (1990)
Recognition
- Ranked as leading lawyer in Chambers & Partners Global
- Ranked as leading lawyer in Legal 500
- Ranked as leading lawyer in IFLR 1000
- Commended as Attorney of the year by Africa Legal Awards
Prior Experience
- 2018 to date, Chair, DLA Piper Africa and Managing Partner, IKM Advocates, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Kenya
- 2000 to 2018, Managing Partner, IKM Advocates, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Kenya.
- 1993 to 2000, Partner, IKM Advocates, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Kenya.
- 1992 to 1993, Associate, IKM Advocates, DLA Piper Africa member firm in Kenya.
Memberships
- Law Society of Kenya
- East Africa ICT Impact Investing Task Force
Globally, climate change is recognized as one of the most serious threats to humanity. The Paris Agreement, which was a global response to climate change, recognizes the need for adequate funds to finance the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate-resilient development. Dubbed ‘transition finance’, the funding needed for the transition to a low-carbon sustainable future is fundamental to the fight against climate change.
Today, businesses are compelled to prioritize ESG in their commercial and investment strategies. Stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and regulators, expect responsible and sustainable operations and that organizations develop a clear blueprint for achieving ESG objectives. Boards recognize the benefits of integrating ESG into their decision-making as an organization’s social license may depend on it.
DLA Piper Africa has showcased its pan-African strength at the African Legal Awards 2024 by securing several prestigious awards, including the highly coveted African Network/Alliance of the Year award and three out of four regional awards.