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Nigerian corporate law firm Olaniwun Ajayi will participate at African Energy Week (AEW) 2026 as an Associate Sponsor, at a time when legal and regulatory clarity is becoming increasingly central to unlocking capital across Africa’s energy sector.

As governments and investors advance large-scale oil, gas, power and renewable energy projects, the focus is shifting from opportunity to execution – from structuring bankable deals to navigating evolving regulations and managing cross-border transactions. At AEW 2026, taking place in Cape Town from October 12–16, the firm will bring this execution-focused perspective to discussions on how projects are financed, how risk is allocated and how regulatory frameworks are translated into commercially viable investments.

Olaniwun Ajayi’s recent mandates reflect this positioning at the intersection of finance, infrastructure and energy. The firm recently advised Zenith Bank on its acquisition of Paramount Bank in Kenya, supporting a strategic expansion into East Africa, and played a role in establishing Zenith Bank Ivory Coast as part of the lender’s broader continental growth strategy.

In the energy and infrastructure space, the firm has been active across both traditional and transition segments. It acted as Nigerian counsel to British International Investment on a $15 million facility to Starsight Energy, supporting the rollout of commercial and industrial solar solutions, while also advising on a multi-instrument power sector issuance program designed to mobilize large-scale financing for Nigeria’s electricity market.

Beyond transactions, Olaniwun Ajayi has been closely engaged in shaping how investors interpret and navigate regulation. Its guidance on net billing and mini-grid frameworks has provided critical clarity for developers operating in Nigeria’s evolving power sector, where policy shifts continue to redefine project economics.

The firm is also positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in legal services. As the first law firm in West Africa to adopt Harvey AI, Olaniwun Ajayi is integrating advanced tools into legal research and advisory processes, enhancing efficiency and analytical depth in complex deal environments.

“Olaniwun Ajayi plays a critical role in enabling Africa’s energy investments – structuring transactions, guiding regulatory compliance and supporting project development across the value chain,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their participation at AEW 2026 brings essential legal and commercial insight to the conversations shaping the continent’s energy future.”

As Africa’s energy sector enters a new phase of investment and expansion, the focus is shifting from identifying opportunities to executing them at scale. At AEW 2026, Olaniwun Ajayi’s perspective will reflect a key reality: without the right legal and financial frameworks, projects do not move forward – and with them, capital follows.