Amira Achraf

Senior Legal Counsel (Promoted in 2023)

ELSEWEDY is a global leader in electrical products, with over 30 production facilities in 16 countries, exporting to more than 110 nations. Since 2008, ELSEWEDY has expanded into renewable energy and power generation, leveraging financial strength and technical expertise. Notable projects include a 130 MWp PV power plant in Egypt with EDFR, a 64 MW wind energy portfolio in Greece and a 100 MWh Battery Energy Storage System in Greece. ELSEWEDY plays an active role in the energy sector, acting interchangeably as EPC Contractor, O&M Contractor, and Developer.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review, and negotiate all types of contracts and tenders related to IPP projects in the energy and construction sectors, including but not limited to PPAs, SPAs, SHAs, Concession and Implementation Agreements, Grid Interconnection Agreements, Equity Contribution Agreements, Facility Agreements, Direct Agreements with Lenders, EPC, O&M, LTSA, JV, Consortium, and Supply Agreements.
• Provide legal advice and solutions on all aspects of company's business operations and interests.
• Identify, evaluate, and mitigate legal exposures and risks, including commercial risks affecting company's projects.
• Conduct relevant legal research and devise techniques and strategies under local and foreign laws to highlight and mitigate exposure to potential legislative risks.
• Manage and supervise a team of two junior lawyers in complex projects.

Achievements:

• International Project Development Experience: Worked on several projects across Africa, including Niger, Malawi, Madagascar, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Tanzania, where ELSEWEDY's roles varied from EPC Contractor, O&M Contractor to Developer. Fluent in French, I led negotiations with governmental and private entities, drafted, reviewed, and highlighted risks in project agreements in English and Arabic for Senior management teams, and devised mitigation strategies. I identified risks encompassing not only legal aspects but also commercial, financial, and tax considerations.
• Multijurisdictional Legal Experience: Gained extensive experience working in different jurisdictions, including Egypt, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Greece, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Kosovo, and Hungary. Analyzed various applicable laws and managed legal aspects across different jurisdictions daily, with strong knowledge of common law (English law) and civil law jurisdictions such as Egypt, French law, and Swiss law.
• Financial Documents and Negotiations: Worked on finance documents and negotiated with lenders and different financing institutions as part of project financing schemes and standalone financing agreements. Collaborated with renowned institutions like IFC, EBRD, NBG, and Proparco. Attended the White & Case Facility, Finance & Project Agreements training course in London, which included enriching sessions and discussions with experienced partners and lawyers in the market.
• Promotion to Senior Lawyer: Promoted to Senior Lawyer in 2023 due to hard work on several projects, including successful negotiation of a IFC Loan Agreement with IFC without involvement of any external legal counsel and independently negotiating an EPC contract with a well-known developer, with outcomes highly satisfactory to top management and board members.
• Leadership and Knowledge Transfer: Since promotion, managed two (2) junior lawyers and developed new strategies for knowledge transfer. Conducted monthly sessions covering topics such as project finance, bankability factors in PPAs and Concession Agreements, updates on new civil code under Saudi law, and other relevant legal developments in market. also, organized other programs aimed at transferring knowledge, breaking silos, and promoting integration within Group Legal Department.
• Recognition: Nominated as 'Rising Star' in Legalcommunity MENA Awards in 2023.

• Drafted & reviewed legal documents
• Prepared a due diligence report as part of M&A transaction
• Assisted in drafting of shareholder agreements.

• Handled establishment process of a Joint Stock Company in Egypt.
• Assisted in due diligence process for mergers and acquisitions Transaction.
• Conducted legal research.

• Drafted legal documents
• Conducted legal research
• Handled establishment process of a company
• Attended courts sessions.