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Michael Strain

Managing Partner, Tanzania | Dar es Salaam

Michael-Strain

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Contact

T: +255 76 898 8640

E: michael.strain@bowmanslaw.com

Overview

Michael Strain is one of East Africa’s most active corporate/M&A lawyers; based in Tanzania but also covering the wider region. Within Tanzania he has a comprehensive corporate/commercial practice covering all aspects of non-contentious transactional and regulatory advice (including market entry). Across East Africa, (particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda) Michael advises large corporates, financial institutions, private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals on all forms of equity investments, acquisitions and disposals.

Whilst Michael’s work is sector-agnostic – he has particular expertise across sectors such as mining/ extractives, energy, real estate, infrastructure, logistics, agribusiness, telecommunications, banking and hospitality.

Before relocating to East Africa more than ten years ago, Michael trained, qualified and practised as a corporate/M&A lawyer in the City of London.

Michael is a Partner in our Dar es Salaam office and a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions practice.

Experience

A brief summary of Michael’s experience includes acting for:

* includes experience gained prior to joining Bowmans

  • Tembo Nickel on the acquisition of the USD 1.6 billion Kabanga Nickel project, its joint venture shareholding arrangements with the Government of Tanzania and the subsequent USD 100 million equity investment by BHP.
  • Adenia Partners on the acquisition of Africa Biosystems Limited (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda).
  • Orecorp on the acquisition of the USD 500 million Nyanzaga gold project in Tanzania.
  • Black Rock Mining and five other major Tanzanian mining companies on their joint venture shareholding arrangements with the Government of Tanzania (plus other relevant regulatory advice).
  • Ascent Africa on multiple exit arrangements – including their successful disposal of shares in Medpharm Africa (Ethiopia).
  • A major Ethiopian cement company on a USD 200 million equity investment by West China Cement and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • A major international oil company on the disposal of its fuel storage and fuel distribution assets in Tanzania.
  • RIU Hotels and Resorts on multiple transactions in Zanzibar – including the USD 56.5 million acquisition of the Gemma dell’Est luxury resort.
  • A Kenyan high-net-worth individual on the disposal of a majority equity interest in a major Kenyan insurance company and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • Multiple international oil companies (including BG, Shell and Equinor) on various aspects associated with the proposed USD 30 billion onshore LNG facility in Southern Tanzania.
  • Premier Solar Limited (Kenya) on its disposal of 50% of its entire issued share capital and associated joint venture arrangements with Starsight Energy Nigeria.
  • A large Tanzanian cement manufacturer on the acquisition of one of the country’s most significant remaining limestone deposits (plus other relevant project assets).
  • Pizza Hut Tanzania on its acquisition of the business and assets of KFC Tanzania.
  • A major Tanzanian Port Operator on a comprehensive restructuring, various equity transactions plus other regulatory advice.
  • Exim Bank Tanzania on its acquisition of the business and assets of First National Bank Tanzania.
  • The company and shareholders of Silafrica Plastics & Packaging (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and India) on the disposal to AfricInvest of a significant equity interest and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • A consortium of development finance institutions on their disposal of a majority equity interest in a major Tanzanian bank.
  • A Tanzanian high-net-worth individual on: (i) the acquisition of a significant minority stake in a major Tanzanian mining company; and (ii) the proposed USD 30 million disposal of a majority interest in an FMCG business.
  • A US entity on its USD 20 million acquisition of a business involving the storage and manufacture of petroleum drag reducing agents.
  • The Omani Sovereign Wealth Fund on the equity arrangements associated with the proposed USD 10 billion Bagamoyo Port Project in Tanzania.
  • A major Tanzanian agribusiness on the renegotiation of its joint venture arrangements with a development finance institution and a subsequent equity investment by a private equity fund.

Awards

  • Chambers Global ranked Michael in Band 3 for his work in General Business Law (2024)
  • Legal 500 ranked Michael as a Leading Individual for Leading Firms in Tanzania (2024)
  • IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide 2023 has rated Michael as a Notable Practitioner for his work in Corporate and M&A.

‘Michael Strain is a source of sector expertise with a great track record.’Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Michael Strain is thorough and you can really work with him. He gives you solutions.’Chambers and Partners, 2024

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Qualifications

  • Chambers Global ranked Michael in Band 3 for his work in General Business Law (2024).
  • Legal 500 ranked Michael as a Leading Individual for Leading Firms in Tanzania (2024)
  • IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide has rated Michael as a Notable Practitioner for his work in Corporate and M&A for two consecutive years (2023 to 2024).

‘Michael Strain is a source of sector expertise with a great track record’.

‘Michael Strain is thorough and you can really work with him. He gives you solutions.’

-Chambers and Partners, 2024

‘Michael Strain consistently provides advice that is legally sound but also commercially viable for clients.’ – Chambers and Partners, 2023

INSIGHTS

Overview

Michael Strain is one of East Africa’s most active corporate/M&A lawyers; based in Tanzania but also covering the wider region. Within Tanzania he has a comprehensive corporate/commercial practice covering all aspects of non-contentious transactional and regulatory advice (including market entry). Across East Africa, (particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda) Michael advises large corporates, financial institutions, private equity firms and high-net-worth individuals on all forms of equity investments, acquisitions and disposals.

Whilst Michael’s work is sector-agnostic – he has particular expertise across sectors such as mining/ extractives, energy, real estate, infrastructure, logistics, agribusiness, telecommunications, banking and hospitality.

Before relocating to East Africa more than ten years ago, Michael trained, qualified and practised as a corporate/M&A lawyer in the City of London.

Michael is a Partner in our Dar es Salaam office and a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions practice.

Experience

A brief summary of Michael’s experience includes acting for:

* includes experience gained prior to joining Bowmans

  • Tembo Nickel on the acquisition of the USD 1.6 billion Kabanga Nickel project, its joint venture shareholding arrangements with the Government of Tanzania and the subsequent USD 100 million equity investment by BHP.
  • Adenia Partners on the acquisition of Africa Biosystems Limited (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda).
  • Orecorp on the acquisition of the USD 500 million Nyanzaga gold project in Tanzania.
  • Black Rock Mining and five other major Tanzanian mining companies on their joint venture shareholding arrangements with the Government of Tanzania (plus other relevant regulatory advice).
  • Ascent Africa on multiple exit arrangements – including their successful disposal of shares in Medpharm Africa (Ethiopia).
  • A major Ethiopian cement company on a USD 200 million equity investment by West China Cement and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • A major international oil company on the disposal of its fuel storage and fuel distribution assets in Tanzania.
  • RIU Hotels and Resorts on multiple transactions in Zanzibar – including the USD 56.5 million acquisition of the Gemma dell’Est luxury resort.
  • A Kenyan high-net-worth individual on the disposal of a majority equity interest in a major Kenyan insurance company and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • Multiple international oil companies (including BG, Shell and Equinor) on various aspects associated with the proposed USD 30 billion onshore LNG facility in Southern Tanzania.
  • Premier Solar Limited (Kenya) on its disposal of 50% of its entire issued share capital and associated joint venture arrangements with Starsight Energy Nigeria.
  • A large Tanzanian cement manufacturer on the acquisition of one of the country’s most significant remaining limestone deposits (plus other relevant project assets).
  • Pizza Hut Tanzania on its acquisition of the business and assets of KFC Tanzania.
  • A major Tanzanian Port Operator on a comprehensive restructuring, various equity transactions plus other regulatory advice.
  • Exim Bank Tanzania on its acquisition of the business and assets of First National Bank Tanzania.
  • The company and shareholders of Silafrica Plastics & Packaging (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and India) on the disposal to AfricInvest of a significant equity interest and subsequent joint venture arrangements.
  • A consortium of development finance institutions on their disposal of a majority equity interest in a major Tanzanian bank.
  • A Tanzanian high-net-worth individual on: (i) the acquisition of a significant minority stake in a major Tanzanian mining company; and (ii) the proposed USD 30 million disposal of a majority interest in an FMCG business.
  • A US entity on its USD 20 million acquisition of a business involving the storage and manufacture of petroleum drag reducing agents.
  • The Omani Sovereign Wealth Fund on the equity arrangements associated with the proposed USD 10 billion Bagamoyo Port Project in Tanzania.
  • A major Tanzanian agribusiness on the renegotiation of its joint venture arrangements with a development finance institution and a subsequent equity investment by a private equity fund.

Awards

  • Chambers Global ranked Michael in Band 3 for his work in General Business Law (2024)
  • Legal 500 ranked Michael as a Leading Individual for Leading Firms in Tanzania (2024)
  • IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide 2023 has rated Michael as a Notable Practitioner for his work in Corporate and M&A.

‘Michael Strain is a source of sector expertise with a great track record.’Chambers and Partners, 2024
‘Michael Strain is thorough and you can really work with him. He gives you solutions.’Chambers and Partners, 2024

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Flight and Transfer Information

Departing flight to Cape Town
SAA SA363 9 April 2025 18:30-20:45 Johannesburg to Cape Town
Transfer details: A shuttle has been arranged to transport you to the hotel, look out for the Bowmans welcome upon arrival.

Return flight
FlySafair FA693 12 April 2025 10:50-12:55 Cape Town to Johannesburg
Transfer details: A shuttle has been arranged to transport you to the airport from the hotel reception.