Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF): CLG Workshop Offers Insight into Congo's Legal Framework

Pan-African legal firm CLG – formerly Centurion Law Group – led a workshop during the inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum (CEIF) on the country's legal and fiscal frameworks. The workshop – Mastering Business in Congo: Challenges and Strategic Solutions for Success – delved into strategies investors can deploy to navigate the Republic of Congo's business environment as the country prepares to launch an international licensing round.
As a leading provider of specialized legal and tax advisory services, CLG – a Legal Partner of CEIF 2025 - caters to a diverse portfolio of multinational energy companies. With offices in the Republic of Congo, Germany, South Africa, Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia and South Sudan, the firm delivers bespoke solutions for a variety of challenges faced by oil and gas companies. The CLG workshop underscored how the firm's expertise can support oil and gas projects in the Republic of Congo as the country targets 500,000 barrels per day of oil.
'Our goal is to provide solutions by interpreting regulations, ensuring companies can operate freely. We have advisors across several African countries,' stated Zion Adeoye, CEO and Group Managing Partner, CLG.
The country's strong Central African presence and deep knowledge of the associated legal frameworks gives it an edge in the region's energy landscape. According to Yves Ollivier, Managing Director, CLG Congo, the firm's services in the region include M&A transactions, due diligence, legal secretariat services for oil and gas companies and expertise in intellectual property and immigration laws.
'We provide legal opinions in various fields, including employment law, corporate structuring and contract negotiations,' he explained.
In addition to these services, CLG has strong expertise in taxation. Daoudou Mohammad, Director: Tax and Legal, CLG Congo, explained that the firm assists companies with tax compliance, fiscal advisory services and global tax audits. 'We conduct comprehensive tax reviews and offer targeted training upon request,' he said.
For the Republic of Congo, these services will play a key role in facilitating investment, advancing projects and realizing the country's energy production goals. Given the complexity of the oil and gas sector, understanding the potential challenges associated with the industry is vital.
Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, Deputy Managing Director&Partner, CLG, explained that, 'Understanding all contractual details is crucial, especially in the gas sector. We have encountered cases where disputes arose due to poorly negotiated agreements. Anticipating potential legal issues is key to mitigating risks.'
Additional challenges include misunderstanding of the requisite taxation laws. Mohammad pointed out that many companies fail to consider available tax exemptions, leading to missed opportunities for fiscal optimization. 'A thorough assessment of tax incentives can significantly reduce financial burdens. Companies should proactively evaluate their eligibility for exemptions,' he advised.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.
The inaugural Congo Energy&Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

ME Construction

19 hours ago

• ME Construction

Fujairah Terminals and Fujairah Free Zone Authority sign MoU

Infrastructure Fujairah Terminals and Fujairah Free Zone Authority sign MoU By This collaborative effort will enable the firms to establish a seamless and efficient environment that caters to the evolving needs of global shipping lines, logistics providers, and maritime service companies Fujairah Terminals, a subsidiary of AD Ports Group, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority (FFZA). This collaborative partnership aims to enhance Fujairah's standing as a pivotal hub in the global maritime industry. By combining the unique strengths of Fujairah Terminals and the FFZA, the MoU seeks to attract further investment, streamline operations, and foster sustainable growth within Fujairah's maritime ecosystem. Furthermore, the MoU aims to explore collaboration that would encompass the exchange of statistical data, business forecasts, and other information regarding container movement by road and sea, as well as joint participation in events and roadshows, a statement outlined. Captain Mohamed Al Yahyaei, CEO of Fujairah Terminals said, 'Fujairah Terminals is strategically located to serve as the premier gateway to the Indian Subcontinent, African trade lanes, and global markets. This MoU paves the way to further collaboration with the Fujairah Free Zone Authority, that will unlock new growth opportunities, enhance service offerings, and deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders, solidifying Fujairah's position as a leading maritime hub.' Mohamed Sharief Habib Al Awadhi, Director General Fujairah Free Zone Authority added, 'The Fujairah Free Zone Authority plays a crucial role in attracting foreign investment and fostering a vibrant business community. This MoU with Fujairah Terminals, part of AD Ports Group, creates a powerful synergy, enabling us to offer a compelling value proposition to maritime businesses. Together, we can enhance competitiveness, drive economic diversification, and strengthen Fujairah's global maritime standing.' Fujairah Terminals, located on the UAE's eastern coast, serves as a premier gateway for trade with the Indian Subcontinent, African trade lanes, and global markets. Established in 2017, this multi-purpose terminal boasts a quay wall extending to 1000m and a depth of 15m, enabling it to handle larger vessels, the statement noted.

Arabian Post

3 days ago

• Arabian Post

Shanghai to Host Global Operations Centre for Digital Yuan

China's central bank governor, Pan Gongsheng, announced at the Lujiazui Forum on 18 June that a dedicated international operations centre for the e‑CNY will be established in Shanghai. The move signals Beijing's renewed push to extend the digital yuan's reach in global transactions and shift the balance of currency power. Pan described stablecoins and central bank digital currencies as 'reshaping cross‑border payments', emphasising that global financial infrastructure needs stronger regulatory alignment. He argued that traditional cross‑border payment systems are inefficient, vulnerable to politicisation, and susceptible to unilateral sanctions. The Shanghai centre will serve as a nexus for international e‑CNY operations, aiming to streamline digital yuan transactions abroad and enhance integration with global financial markets. This facility complements efforts to boost the Cross‑Border Interbank Payment System, which has recently onboarded major international banks, including Standard Bank and First Abu Dhabi Bank. ADVERTISEMENT Governor Pan framed this initiative as part of a broader strategy to foster a 'multi‑polar international monetary system'. By promoting competition among key currencies, China seeks to reduce reliance on the US dollar while enhancing financial system resilience. Pan also called for more coordinated global regulation of stablecoins and CBDCs. As digital monetary instruments gain traction, he said global oversight must be harmonised to manage risks effectively. Beyond infrastructure, Chinese regulators affirmed their commitment to exchange‑rate stability and further opening domestic financial markets. Zhu Hexin of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange noted improved tools to counter external pressures, while Li Yunze of the National Financial Regulatory Administration highlighted efforts to foster a transparent and predictable environment for international investors. Analysts say China's timeline aligns with expanding e‑CNY pilots and integration of public transport systems in several cities, such as Chengdu, Beijing, Suzhou, and Shanghai. The Shanghai centre appears aimed at extending these domestic innovations into globally scaled applications. Internationally, China has taken part in multilateral CBDC initiatives such as Project mBridge, alongside the BIS, Hong Kong, Thailand, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. This collaboration signals a shift toward creating interoperable digital payment bridges and presents an alternative to dollar‑centred systems. Observers suggest that China aims to balance integration with established structures such as SWIFT while developing parallel alternatives like CIPS. That strategy could help counteract geopolitical vulnerabilities inherent in dominant payment networks. Critics caution that for the digital yuan to gain traction, China must address capital‑account restrictions, strengthen market transparency, and win international trust in its legal and regulatory systems. Yet this latest initiative dovetails with China's longer‑term ambition to internationalise the renminbi. The launch of the Shanghai operations centre — with its promise to enable faster, more efficient overseas e‑CNY transactions — may mark a significant milestone in Beijing's drive toward a more diversified global monetary order.

Gulf Today

4 days ago

• Gulf Today

GCC tops export destinations for Dubai Chamber of Commerce members with value of Dhs40.5 billion in Q1

Dubai Chamber of Commerce, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has revealed that markets within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) remained the primary destination for its members' exports and re-exports during Q1 2025. GCC countries accounted for 47.2% of the total value member's exports with a combined value of Dhs40.5 billion, underlining the region's continued importance to members' trade activities. Middle East markets outside the GCC secured the second-largest share of exports and re-exports with a combined value of Dhs25 billion, representing 29.1% of the total value. African markets ranked third, accounting for 10.6% of members' total exports and re-exports, with a value of Dhs9.1 billion. The Asia-Pacific region followed in fourth place, contributing 9.4% of total exports and re-exports with a combined value of approximately Dhs8 billion. European markets secured the fifth position, representing 2.8% of total exports and re-exports, with a value of Dhs2.4 billion. Meanwhile, North American markets ranked sixth, contributing 0.5% of exports valued at around Dhs460 million. Latin American markets came seventh on the list, accounting for 0.4% of total exports and re-exports in Q1 2025 with a value of Dhs315 million. The total value of exports and re-exports by Dubai Chamber of Commerce members achieved year-over-year (YoY) growth of 16.8% to reach Dhs85.9 billion during the first three months of 2025. WAM