Financial Intermediation
We act as trusted independent and real-time advisors to financial institutions like banks as well as a variety of sophisticated and institutional investors, including investment banking firms, venture capital firms, accelerators and incubators, angel investors, endowments, pension funds and insurance firms. Our financial intermediation practice combines deep industry knowledge with comprehensive legal expertise, serving clients across Nigeria and Africa. We provide strategic counsel on Corporate & Private Banking, Fund Formation & Fund Operations, Legal Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory frameworks and achieve their commercial objectives.
Our team understands the unique challenges facing companies in this sector and delivers practical, business-focused solutions that protect client interests while facilitating growth and innovation. With extensive experience representing leading companies, financial institutions, and investors in financial intermediation matters, Balogun Harold has established itself as a trusted advisor in this sector. Our team's deep understanding of Nigerian law, combined with international best practices, enables us to deliver strategic counsel that helps clients maintain competitive advantage while ensuring regulatory compliance. We work closely with clients to develop comprehensive legal strategies that align with their business goals and support long-term success in Nigeria's dynamic market. Our financial intermediation practice combines deep industry knowledge with comprehensive legal expertise, serving clients across Nigeria and Africa. We provide strategic counsel on Corporate & Private Banking, Fund Formation & Fund Operations, Legal Due Diligence, Mergers & Acquisitions, Regulatory Guidance & Licenses, Leveraged & Acquisition Finance, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory frameworks and achieve their commercial objectives.
Our team understands the unique challenges facing companies in this sector and delivers practical, business-focused solutions that protect client interests while facilitating growth and innovation. We work with leading corporations, financial institutions, and investors to structure transactions, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage legal risks effectively. With extensive experience representing clients in financial intermediation matters, Balogun Harold has established itself as a trusted advisor in this sector. Our team's deep understanding of Nigerian law, combined with international best practices, enables us to deliver strategic counsel that helps clients maintain competitive advantage while ensuring regulatory compliance. We work closely with clients to develop comprehensive legal strategies that align with their business goals and support long-term success in Nigeria's dynamic market. Our approach emphasizes proactive risk management, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning, enabling clients to make informed decisions and achieve their business objectives.
We support our Clients with:
Notable Experience
Partial Risk Guaranteed Standby Letter of Credit
Advised a leading investment bank on a Partial Risk Guaranteed Standby Letter of Credit to be issued by the investment bank acting as L/C Issuing Bank under a USD$150 million Reimbursement and Credit Agreement;
Oil and Gas Asset Acquisition Financing
Advised an indigenous commercial bank in relation to a USD$ 200 Million financing to be provided in conjunction with an international financial institution for the acquisition of oil and gas assets;
Broadband Company Refinance Facility
Advised on the USD100million Refinance Facility to an indigenous broadband company to refinance and restructure its existing debt obligations of circa USD80million and fund the construction of a data center;
Diversified Business Group Debt Refinancing
Advised on US$ 60m debt refinancing of a diversified business group with interests in pharmaceutical, energy, industrial plastic packaging, importation and distribution of consumer goods as well as the agricultural sectors;
ECA-Backed Real Estate Development Financing
Advised on US$107 million ECA-backed financing for the construction and development of the first phase of a mixed use real estate development.
Insights & Updates
Permanent Establishment in Nigeria
The Nigeria Tax Act 2025 has clarified and expanded the legal definition of permanent establishment and the rules regarding the attribution of income and profits to a permanent establishment. Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, a permanent establishment is the taxable presence of a non-resident person in Nigeria.
Significant Economic Presence in Nigeria
The concept of Significant Economic Presence in Nigeria establishes a taxable nexus for non-resident companies or individuals that derive significant economic benefits from Nigeria, even if they do not have a traditional physical permanent establishment in the country. The concept of Significant Economic Presence is particularly relevant in the digital economy, including e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, online platforms, and other electronically mediated service
Bank Corporate Client Acquisitions: Employment Law Considerations
If women were selected, incentivized, or subtly pressured to use charm or appearance to attract business, this may constitute constructive dismissal, if such women feel compelled to resign.
CBN's Open Banking Guidelines: Implications for Non-Bank Entities
It is often assumed that the CBN's Open Banking Guidelines are relevant only to banks and licensed fintech companies. However, a closer reading of the Open Banking Guidelines suggests that its application is significantly broader, extending to any company that shares or consumes financial data through APIs, regardless of sector.
Data-Driven Pricing - Emerging Regulatory Issues
As digital commerce deepens across Nigeria, a new pricing strategy is emerging among online retailers, digital service providers, and fintech platforms—data-dri...
CBN Audits: Key Considerations for Fintechs & Microfinance Banks
A CBN audit is an on-site or off-site examination conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria to assess a regulated financial institution’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and prudential requirements
Lagos Carbon Exchange: Key Legal & Market Considerations
The Lagos Carbon Exchange introduces a credible local alternative
New Private Equity Rules in Nigeria - New Updates
Private equity funds in Nigeria with a target size of ₦5 billion or less are now exempt from full SEC registration, though they must still file governing documents and obtain a no-objection from the SEC.
Data Protection Considerations in Mergers & Acquisitions in Nigeria
Nigeria’s consumer protection agency fined Meta $220 million because it believed that Meta breached data protection laws and that the breach was so egregious as...
The Nigeria Tax Bill - Revisiting the New Rent Relief Allowance
It would appear that landlords and dependent adults will no longer be entitled to income tax reliefs under the Nigeria Tax Bill.
Series A Financing - What to Expect
In this update, we highlight some key Series A considerations for founders looking to raise a Series A financing
Understanding the Nigerian Climate Change Act (2021) : Q&A
Does the Act make provision for a carbon tax or emissions trading system (ETS)?