Headed up by Wildu du Plessis and supported by Duduzile Kelokilwe, Alchemy Law assists financial institutions across the mining, industrials, and consumer goods sectors. Recently, it advised on a multi-million-dollar gold mining project, managing community opposition and structuring a unique mix of debt, equity, offtake, and hedging financing.

Bowmans‘s banking and finance team combines local expertise with international reach, leading complex financial transactions across Africa. Co-led by Ulrike Naumann and Allen Lueta, the team specialises in large-scale restructurings, mining deals, debt refinancing, sustainability-linked financing, and multi-jurisdictional transactions. Naumann is well-known for major cross-border financings, including a USD2.3bn mining acquisition. Jason Wilkinson has led major restructuring and multi-billion-dollar financing transactions. Pride Jani advises on leveraged finance, preference shares, and corporate lending with a commercial focus, while Jan Kruger is an expert in preference share funding and acquisitions. Michael Swartland brings expertise in private equity finance, syndicated lending, and restructurings. Ryan Nelson, Kelle Gagne and Amanda Jones joined from A&O Shearman in 2025.

Well-known for its 'collective expertise and personal integrity', ENSafrica advises on all areas of debt finance, including leveraged and asset finance, corporate lending, restructurings, aircraft finance, and debt capital markets. Department lead Craig Saven routinely advises major local and international banks and development finance institutions on landmark deals across the mining, telecommunications, and tourism industries. Sean Lederman is a recognised expert in aircraft finance, Anina Boshoff is skilled across the financial services, mining, media, infrastructure, and agriculture sectors, and Jessica Blumenthal boasts expertise in ESG and sustainable finance. Further key contributors include Debbie Carmichael, Angela Itzikowitz, Alex Taylor, and Johann Basson.

Co-led by Khurshid Fazel and Lindi Marais, who ‘have excellent local market knowledge and contacts’, the banking and finance team at Webber Wentzel remains a pre-eminent South African practice, offering the full spectrum of banking and finance services. Fazel handles a wide range of funding deals, including leveraged finance, cross-border real estate, fund and acquisition financing, and restructurings, while Marais advises on specialised debt transactions, including standalone, syndicated, and term lending, locally and internationally. Kathy Shepherd represents corporate borrowers, Karen Couzyn focuses on DCM and structured finance, and Scott Edmundson advises on transport sector financing. Other key contacts include Janine Lamb, Rashaad Carrim, Matthew Gibson, Taheera Cassim, and Dawid de Villiers.

Werksmans Attorneys’ banking and finance department is home to 'industry leaders', and it is well-known for assisting with complex, high-value transactions. Practice head Elliott Wood specialises in leveraged and acquisition finance, management buy-outs, structured finance, and syndicated and bilateral lending. Richard Roothman advises on debt capital markets and project finance, Paul Tindle focuses on M&A and structured financing, and Tracy-Lee Janse van Rensburg guides banks and issuers on complex debt capital markets and structured finance. Astrid Berman's practice encompasses structured, project, and property finance, while Jenni Darling focuses on transactional financing, including secured, unsecured, and preference share funding. Lynsey Watson, Lureshan Naidoo, Aarthi Ramdhin, and Laura Alexander are also key contributors.

The 'well-rounded' banking, finance and projects team at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr continues to represent commercial banks, development finance institutions, major SOEs, and other corporations. Co-leader Mashudu Mphafudi routinely advises on project, leveraged, acquisition, and corporate finance, private equity funding, and restructurings, and co-leader Johan de Lange boasts experience in general corporate lending, including syndicated and bilateral facilities. Ludwig Smith and Deon Wilken are experienced practitioners, while Andrew van Niekerk specialises in EPC, PPP, and IPP services for clients in the infrastructure, energy, mining, transport, and real estate industries. Amelia Heeger is another key figure in the team.

With expertise in acquisition finance, refinancing, general finance, trade finance, and preference share financing, Norton Rose Fulbright South Africa Inc stands out in the market. Practice head Jackie Midlane manages a strong client portfolio, including financial institutions and project sponsors. Steven Chemaly advises on domestic and cross-border financing, including receivables finance, while Izak Lessing specialises in mezzanine and commercial property finance. Malibuye Cossie focuses on lending and project finance, Michelle David handles regulatory matters, Shawn Barnett excels in structured and derivative transactions, and Gregory Nott is another key contributor to the practice.

White & Case LLP advises on complex matters involving regulatory capital loans and bonds, private equity investments, sustainable development, and syndicated loan financings, among others. Team leader Lionel Shawe advises leading banks and financial institutions operating across the African continent. Sibusiso Zungu is adept in leveraged, trade, project, property, and export credit finance, as well as restructurings and financing for sovereign and state-owned entities, while Lindani Mthembu is skilled in cross-border banking and finance transactions. Sboniso Cibane, and Elaine Langa are experienced in debt finance matters.

Recognised for its ‘deep technical expertise’, Baker McKenzie Johannesburg advises on secured and unsecured lending, leveraged finance, and structured trade finance across South Africa and the African continent. Department lead Phetole Modika advises on general banking, acquisition and leveraged finance, structured trade, and municipal/public finance, while Pitso Kortjaas supports domestic and international clients with finance and debt capital markets matters. Koketso Maake is notably skilled in leveraged finance, debt restructurings, acquisition finance, and syndicated lending, and further key contacts include Nyameka Nkasana and Kaoma Vokwana.

Led by Riza Moosa, the banking and finance department at CMS South Africa advises banks and financial institutions on major refinancing, development, and project finance transactions. Moosa is skilled in complex, high-value cross-border financial restructurings and insolvency matters, and he is ably supported by Muzi Kubeka, who has developed a portfolio of major clients, and Andre van den Berg, who focuses on leveraged, syndicated, asset, acquisition, and real estate financings, as well as preference share transactions. Mbali Nene and Karabo Kanapi also support the team.

Spearheaded by Nick Grootes, the banking and finance team at DLA Piper routinely advises banks, development funders, and large corporates across South Africa. Grootes focuses on acquisition financing, corporate lending, real estate finance, and debt restructurings. Jackie Pennington advises lenders and borrowers on local and cross-border financing, including secured, leveraged, and syndicated loans, while At van der Merwe advises on a diverse range of financing transactions. Byron Bromham and Malachizokok Mpolokeng are further key contributors. In January 2026, Melusi Dlamini joined from Norton Rose Fulbright 's London office, bolstering the finance and projects practices.

Fasken advises local and international banks on general banking and finance matters, including leveraged, acquisition, real estate, trade and commodities, restructuring, and development finance. Practice head Lara Bezuidenhoudt excels in PPPs and project finance for infrastructure projects spanning the transport, energy, telecoms, and mining sectors. Craig Whitley advises on complex cross-border financing transactions, and Ashen Jugoo specialises in project, infrastructure, and corporate finance, including PPPs. Blaize Vance, Simone Bryson, Marli Roode, Hlengiwe Kabini Zondo, and Arnold Sagonda are also key contributors to the practice.

Well-known for its 'expert and knowledgeable personnel', RAMS Attorneys provides focused legal advice on finance and project finance law, including on complex transactions and regulatory compliance matters. Practice head Thabang Shomang specialises in finance, energy, property, and public procurement, leveraging extensive experience in both public and private sectors to deliver practical legal solutions for complex financial and infrastructure projects.