NADIA KETTANI, PARTNER
Nadia Kettani has joined Kettani Law Firm as a senior Partner in 1992 and is the Head of the Consulting
Department.
EDUCATION :
- Law degree at Casablanca Law University
- Master’s in business and civil law
- Continuing Education at the International Law Institute, ascribed to the Georgetown University
(Washington)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES:
- Senior attorney before the Supreme Court and Senior Partner at KETTANI LAW FIRM since 1992.
- Has undertaken internships in law firms in Paris, France, and the United States
EXPERIENCE:
Head of the consulting department in the main following areas:
- Corporate / Mergers & Acquisitions
- Energy / Project Finance
- Telecommunications
- Investments
RECENT TRANSACTIONS :
- In the energy sector, Nadia Kettani advised the company Jorf Lasfar Extension in the financing of a power
plant projects between 2012 and 2014 for an amount of USD 1.4 billion. Nadia Kettani advised on the Safi
project relating to a USD 2.6 billion power plant. In 2015 and 2016, Nadia Kettani advised Green of Africa
(Morocco) on its projects relating to renewable energy.
- In the banking and finance sector, Nadia Kettani advised the Moroccan state investment bank in relation to
sovereign bond issuance programs in 2012 (USD 1.5 billion) and in 2014 (EUR 1 billion), and also commercial
banks such as BMCE in relation to its bond issuance in 2014 (MAD 1 billion) and Crédit Agricole in the
financing of its international projects in 2015 and 2016. Nadia Kettani also advised the Fonds Hassan II for
economic and social development in 2016 and House Invest (Bahrein) in the restructuration of its activity in
Morocco.
- In the area of aircraft financing, Nadia Kettani has represented Royal Air Morocco, the Moroccan airline
operator company, in various aircraft acquisitions and financing deals (of confidential values) it has
entered into with the company Embraer and the company Boeing in the financing of its dreamliner in 2015/2016
as well as the company Air Arabia (United Arab Emirates) in its financing matters since their start of
business in Morocco, including in 2015 and 2016. In addition, Nadia Kettani also advised Air Canada in 2016
regarding its implementation in Morocco.
- In the telecommunications sector, Nadia Kettani and her team acted as local counsel for Vivendi in
relation to its EUR 4 billion disposition of its former stakes in Maroc Telecom and advised France Telecom
on its EUR 640 million investment in Méditelecom. In 2015, Nadia Kettani also advised Orange (France) in its
takeover of Meditelecom.
- The Consulting Department is also very active in the area of mergers and acquisitions. Nadia Kettani has
advised, amongst others, the following key corporate clients in relation to their mergers, acquisitions and
joint ventures in Morocco and abroad: Al Sahl Group (Libya); Al Homaizi (Kowait) in relation to its
introduction of IKEA in Morocco and Alshaya Group (Kuwait) in relation to the setting up of international
franchises in Morocco (such as Starbucks and H&M), St Gobain (France) and Platinum Power (Morocco) in
relation to the its capital opening operation to AfricInvest.
- Nadia Kettani has also recently acted on behalf of top tier international hotel operator companies such as
Hilton and Marriott regarding their investments in Morocco and also represented local groups such as Risma
which is managing the hotels of Accor in Morocco as well as Atlas Voyages in relation to its partnership
with TUI, and other local companies with regards to their joint venture with American investors in the
tourism sector. In 2015 and 2016, Nadia Kettani notably assisted Marriott regarding is implementation in
Marrakech and Fès and Taameer (Koweit) in the selling of its hotel units.
- In the course of 2013 and 2014, Nadia Kettani has also acted as local counsel for the International
Finance Corporation (IFC, the financial institution of the World Bank). In 2015/2016, Nadia Kettani as well
advised the EBRD (the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development) regarding their various investment
projects in Morocco, and in particular, its stake holding in a Moroccan entity.
- In 2016, Nadia Kettani advised operators in other industries, like the equipment industry, with the
advising provided to TATA Motors and the electronic industry with Philipps, relating to the restructuration
of their activities in Morocco.
- In the consumer goods sector, Nadia Kettani advised in 2015 a subsidiary of Obegi Group (Lebanon) in its
financing deals in Morocco.
LANGUAGES: English,
French and Arabic
PUBLICATIONS:
- Getting the deal through Arbitration 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016
- Getting the deal through Mergers & Acquisitions 2014, 2015, 2016
- Doing Business in Morocco (World Bank) 2012 to 2016
- Expert Insight Banking and Finance, Lawyer Monthly Magazine, 2015
- Expert Insight, Energy, Lawyer Monthly Magazine, 2015Author of the book “the banker’s liability” published
in 1992
- Author of numerous articles on business law, mergers and acquisitions, notably :
- Oxford Business Group en2012 et 2013, Getting the Deal Through Arbitration 2012,
- Getting the Deal Through Mergers and Acquisitions 2012 and 2013
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Member of the Union Internationale des Avocats
Member of the International Bar Association
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
2015: M&A lawyer of the Year in Morocco (ACQ Global Awards)
2014 and 2015: Corporate and commercial lawyer of the Year in Morocco (ACQ Global Awards)
2014: Nominated by Forbes Magazine as one of the most powerful women in the Arab World in the Section of
family business
2013: Nominated by Jeune Afrique Magazine as one of the 25 most influential women in the African continent
‘’2013 M&A lawyer of the Year in Morocco’’ by Corporate Intl.
“2012 Leading Lawyer” by IFLR ‘’ 2012 M&A Lawyer of the Year in Morocco” by Corporate Intl.
‘’ 2012 Leading Expert for Aviation Advice in Morocco’’ by Corporate Intl.
OPINIONS:
CHAMBERS AND PARTNERS
‘’ Nadia Kettani is a well-regarded lawyer who comes highly recommended for her astuteness and corporate
experience.’’
‘’ Nadia Kettani is praised as ‘’very good and very tough’’ – qualities which shine during
negotiations’’
LEGAL 500
‘’ Nadia Kettani is a strong corporate lawyer with excellent commercial sense’’.
‘’ Nadia Kettani is a strong international-quality lawyer - commercial sensible and client focused’’.
ACQ LAW
"..... Always shows a detailed approach to her cases."
".....Simply the best there is!"
"..... Impressed with her expertise, integrity and perfect understanding of our needs."
".....Always well prepared and knows the deal inside out."
CONTACT: nadia@kettlaw.com