mlaAsset 3

Private Equity

Whether navigating foreign investment approvals, drafting shareholder agreements, or planning an exit, our team delivers strategic clarity and executional confidence in high-stakes private equity transactions. At MLA, we bring unmatched expertise in Ethiopian commercial, tax, capital market and investment law to guide private equity (PE) firms and investors through the full investment lifecycle—from fund formation and due diligence to acquisition, governance, and exit. We advise on structuring deals that are not only legally sound but also optimized for tax efficiency, regulatory compliance, and investor protections.

Our services include

  • Drafting and negotiating investment agreements, shareholder arrangements, and share purchase agreements for various private equity transactions.
  • Advising on the operations of portfolio companies, including developing internal governance structures and compliance manuals.
  • Conducting legal and regulatory due diligence across multiple sectors.
  • Assessing and advising on risks related to capital gains tax, dividend repatriation, and foreign exchange controls under NBE directives.
  • Representing clients before the Ethiopian Investment Commission, Ministry of Revenue, and relevant judicial bodies for licensing, approvals, and dispute resolution.
  • Supporting investor due diligence with tailored risk assessments on tax, labor, landholding, and environmental obligations.

Our selected experience includes:

  • Advising on the establishment of one of the first fund‑of‑funds structures in Ethiopia under the capital markets framework.
  • Conducting legal due diligence in connection with the privatization of a cement manufacturing company.
  • Conducting legal due diligence on proposed private equity investments in a leading alcoholic beverage manufacturer.
  • Successfully assisting in the exit of private equity investors from a leading beverage (water manufacturing) company.
  • Conducting legal due diligence and providing transaction support for a private equity investment in a leading healthcare provider.

Other Practice Areas