Ranked among the leading business law firms in West Africa, CLKA, headquartered in Abidjan, has, since its inception, promoted a practice rooted in integrity and a visionary approach to the legal profession. Beyond stereotypes, the firm firmly believes in an Africa of talent, innovation, and success.
With an excellent understanding of our clients’ businesses, CLKA is recognized across the following sectors: Telecommunications, Media & Technology, Banking, Insurance, Fintech, Real Estate, Tourism, Hospitality, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Energy, among others.
Since 2008, CLKA has relied on a dynamic and highly skilled team, the source of its success. Combining advisory and litigation expertise, CLKA operates with the same high standards across West Africa (ECOWAS member states) and OHADA member states (17 African countries), from its Abidjan headquarters.
Our OHADA Practice
CLKA provides integrated legal solutions combining advisory, transactional, and litigation services. Our teams have in-depth knowledge of OHADA Uniform Acts, translating regulatory requirements into operational strategies tailored to clients’ economic realities.
Our dynamic and highly qualified teams support clients across sectors ranging from Telecommunications to Natural Resources, as well as Finance, Real Estate, and Agribusiness.
Corporate & Governance
Our Corporate team assists companies at every stage of their development, from incorporation to restructuring and corporate transformation. We advise on corporate governance, shareholder agreements, and intra-group contracts, while ensuring ongoing legal compliance in accordance with OHADA standards.
Mergers & Acquisitions and Private Equity
We handle domestic and cross-border transactions, conducting targeted due diligence, structuring operations, and preparing necessary legal documentation. Our work covers fundraising, investor entry and exit, and the implementation of management packages tailored to client needs.
Tax & Customs
The firm assists companies with the tax structuring of their operations, compliance with tax and customs obligations, audit management, and tax litigation. We also provide expertise on customs regimes, economic zones, and exemptions applicable within the OHADA space.
Structured Finance & Banking
Our lawyers advise on acquisition and project financing, syndications, and para-banking structures. We assist clients in establishing OHADA-compliant security interests, including pledges, mortgages, privileges, and independent guarantees, ensuring legal certainty for complex transactions.
Large Projects, Infrastructure & PPPs
CLKA provides legal structuring for public and private projects, advising on engineering, construction, and operational contracts. We support sponsors, lenders, and public authorities to secure the execution and governance of major projects.
Labor Law & Compliance
The firm advises on all aspects of labor law and social compliance, assisting with employment contracts, mobility, internal policies, and managing individual and collective disputes, as well as internal investigations.
– Competition, Distribution & Regulation
CLKA provides guidance on sectoral regulation, antitrust practices, and merger control. We also assist clients with distribution, franchise, and commercial agency agreements, ensuring compliance with both local and international requirements.
International Trade
Our lawyers handle import/export operations and international contracts, as well as commercial arbitration and enforcement of decisions within the OHADA framework. We also provide expertise in international taxation related to cross-border transactions.
Litigation & Arbitration
The firm represents clients in commercial disputes before national courts and the CCJA, as well as in arbitration proceedings. We also assist with interim measures and cross-border debt recovery.
Intellectual Property & TMT
We protect intangible assets, trademarks, and licenses, and advise on telecommunications, fintech, and digital services. Our team also provides guidance on data protection, cybersecurity, and IT contracts.
Natural Resources & ESG
CLKA supports companies in the mining, hydrocarbons, energy, and agribusiness sectors. We advise on exploitation titles, licenses, ESG policies, and environmental and social compliance.
Sectors Covered
Our practice spans key sectors including Telecommunications, Media & Technology, Banking & Finance, Insurance, Fintech, Real Estate, Tourism & Hospitality, Infrastructure, Energy, Natural Resources, and Agribusiness.
Methodology
CLKA follows a structured and pragmatic approach: we conduct rapid regulatory diagnostics, define tailored strategies, and support clients in operational implementation. Post-operation monitoring ensures long-term compliance and legal security.
Contact
CLKA Abidjan
Abidjan Cocody – Deux Plateaux
Corner of Boulevard Latrille & Rue de la Polyclinique des Deux Plateaux
CLK Building, Côte d’Ivoire
T: +225 27 22 52 52 25
Email: info@clkavocats.com
BENIN
Benin, located in West Africa, is a steadily growing economy focused on agriculture, commerce, and services. The country benefits from political stability and OHADA membership, providing a secure and favorable business climate for investors. Key industries include agriculture (cotton, palm oil), logistics, trade, and energy, with a dynamic domestic market and a strategic port in Cotonou facilitating regional commerce. This combination of political stability and OHADA framework offers both local and international companies a reliable environment for structuring operations and securing investments.
BURKINA FASO
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, has a growing economy focused on gold mining, agriculture, and livestock. The country’s legal framework, strengthened by OHADA membership, supports an expanding business environment, particularly in the mining sector, providing favorable conditions for both local and international investors. Burkina Faso is especially attractive for agribusiness, energy, and infrastructure projects, with a young, dynamic population and significant economic transformation potential.
CAMEROON
Cameroon, an economic hub in Central Africa, combines a diversified economy with a stable OHADA framework. Key sectors include energy, agribusiness, infrastructure, and telecommunications. Political stability and abundant natural resources create a favorable environment for local and international investment, while OHADA ensures legal security and harmonized commercial practices.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC (CAR)
The Central African Republic has significant potential in the mining and forestry sectors. OHADA membership provides a solid legal framework and secures investments. Political stability remains fragile, but the country presents opportunities for investors able to structure operations within a reliable legal framework.
COMOROS
The Union of the Comoros, located in the Indian Ocean, is a developing island economy driven by agriculture, fishing, tourism, and services. The political environment is relatively stable, and OHADA membership provides a harmonized legal framework, ensuring security and transparency for investors. Key opportunities exist in agribusiness (spices, vanilla, ylang-ylang), renewable energy, port infrastructure, and tourism development.
REPUBLIC OF CONGO (CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE)
Located at the crossroads of Central Africa, the Republic of Congo relies heavily on oil, mining, and forestry resources. The country is modernizing its infrastructure (roads, energy, telecoms) and seeking diversified investments to support economic transformation. OHADA membership ensures a harmonized legal framework, conducive investment environment, and greater regulatory predictability for local and foreign companies. Key opportunities include energy, mining, infrastructure, agribusiness, forestry, financial services, and digital sectors.
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
With 18 years of presence in Côte d’Ivoire, CLKA supports economic actors including local companies, multinationals, financial institutions, investors, states, and development agencies, in one of West Africa’s most dynamic environments.
GABON
Gabon, located in Central Africa, is a resource-rich economy strategically positioned for industrial and energy development. With relative political stability and OHADA membership, the country offers a favorable environment for investment and cross-border projects. CLKA supports clients operating in Gabon from its Abidjan office, combining local expertise with international standards. The firm is regularly ranked by Legal 500, Chambers & Partners, and IFLR1000, reflecting the quality and reliability of its services.
GUINEA (CONAKRY)
Guinea, in West Africa, is a resource-rich economy with significant potential in mining, energy, and agriculture. Its relative political stability and OHADA membership provide a favorable framework for investment and international partnerships. CLKA supports clients operating in Guinea from its Abidjan office, combining local insight with international standards.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Guinea-Bissau, located in West Africa, is a developing economy with strong potential in agriculture, fisheries, energy, and infrastructure. Its OHADA membership provides a harmonized legal framework, securing investments for both local and international businesses. CLKA supports clients operating in Guinea-Bissau from its Abidjan office, combining local expertise with international standards.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Equatorial Guinea, in Central Africa, is distinguished by a dynamic economy driven by oil, gas, and infrastructure, while gradually developing its agro-industry and services sectors. Its OHADA membership provides a harmonized legal framework, essential for securing investments and commercial operations. CLKA supports clients operating in Equatorial Guinea from its Abidjan office, combining regional expertise with international standards.
MALI
Mali is a diversified economy driven by agriculture, mining, and the energy sector. Its OHADA membership provides a harmonized and secure legal framework, facilitating investment and the growth of both local and international businesses.
NIGER
Niger is a strategic West African country, recognized for its mineral resources, energy potential, and expanding agricultural sector. Its OHADA membership provides a harmonized and secure legal framework conducive to investment and business development.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO (DRC)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is one of the largest and most dynamic markets in Central Africa, rich in natural resources and home to strategic sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. Renowned for its vast deposits of cobalt, copper, diamonds, and gold, the DRC benefits from OHADA membership, which provides a harmonized and secure legal framework—essential for protecting investments and facilitating business development.
SENEGAL
Senegal stands out as one of the most dynamic economies in West Africa, offering political stability and strong prospects for investors and international businesses. With strategic sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and services, the country presents numerous opportunities for growth and sustainable development.
CHAD
Chad offers a rapidly evolving economic environment, with strategic sectors including agriculture, energy, natural resources, and infrastructure. Its relative institutional stability and structured legal framework make it an attractive market for both local and international investors.
TOGO
Togo is pursuing a trajectory of progressive modernization, driven by structural reforms, efforts to improve the business climate, and a strategic location on the Gulf of Guinea. With one of the region’s most efficient deep-water ports, the country is increasingly influential in logistics and trade across West Africa.
