Name: Hope Ndao

Designation: Partner

Professional Qualifications: PGCert (LPQE), ZIALE; and LLB, UNZA

Email Address: hope@mmlp.co.zm

T: +260-211-254248/50 M: +260 973 259 369

PRACTICE AREAS
Corporate, Banking & Finance, Capital Markets, Impact Investment & Sustainability, Employment and Commercial Transactions

OVERVIEW
Hope is a Partner in the corporate, finance and commercial transactions services team, with a wealth of experience in local and cross-border commercial transactions. With over 9 years of experience, Hope has acquired vast experience in advising both local and international clients on an array of subject matters including banking & finance (including corporate financing, debt financing, trade financing, project financing, sovereign debt, ESG financing, green financing, and debt restructuring), capital markets, impact investment & sustainability, employment, and corporate and commercial law. Hope is also a determined litigator in employment law disputes and has been key in successfully winning cases for her clients and in protecting her clients’ interests. Dedicated to excellence, Hope was awarded best graduating student by the Zambia Institute of Advanced legal Education for the 2016/2017Intake.

Formerly, Hope worked as a Partner at Musa Dudhia & Company under the Banking & Finance and Corporate Team. Hope is a member of the Law Association of Zambia.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

• Liquid Telecommunications Financing PLC in connection with the placing of a US$840 million bond and term loan financing package. The US$620 million bond was successfully placed on the international bond markets. The transaction has been reported by Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
• BNP Paribas in connection with 3 separate US$2.925 billion term and revolving facilities refinancing transactions to First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Group. The most recent refinancing has been reported by the Financial Times.
• International Finance Corporation (IFC) in connection with the US$35 million financing to Zambeef Products Plc. The financing is intended to contribute to climate mitigation by supporting efforts to improve Zambeef’s energy and fuel efficiency and reduce more than 14,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year. The transaction has been reported by IFC.
• Citibank Group in connection with a Zambian law ISDA Master Agreement netting opinion and Zambian law GMRA and GMSLA netting opinion.
• Real Estate Investments Zambia Plc (REIZ) in connection with its rights issue on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, US$12 million bond restructure and subsequent intention to convert into Zambia’s first Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The rights issue and bond restructure has been reported by African Financials and the intended conversion to a REIT has been reported by Capital Markets Africa.
• Zambia Forestry and Forest Industries Corporation PLC (ZAFFICO) in connection with its listing on the Lusaka Securities Exchange. The listing has been reported by Capital Markets Africa.
• AFLIFE Holdings Limited in connection with the registration of its first collective investment scheme with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATIONS OR RECOGNITIONS
IFLR1000, 2023 – United Kingdom
Rated as a Rising Star in Banking and Finance in Zambia with respect to Corporate and Finance transactions.

IFLR1000, 2022 – United Kingdom
Rated as a Rising Star in Banking and Finance in Zambia with respect to Corporate and Finance transactions.

IFLR1000, 2021 – United Kingdom
Rated as a Rising Star in Banking and Finance in Zambia with respect to Corporate and Finance transactions.

TESTIMONIALS
“Hope Ndao’s client service, general level of service, level of sophistication and commercial vision are very strong” – Chambers and Partners Insight Report, 2023
“She is very responsive and provides valuable assistance. She is very easy to work with” – Chambers and Partners Insight Report, 2023