From its beginnings as Centurion Law Group to its expanding international presence, CLG has established itself as a prominent African-founded legal and business advisory firm, with a strong reputation in energy, investment and cross-border transactions.
By Ajong Mbapndah L
Across Africa’s energy industry, major investment decisions rarely depend on financing and natural resources alone. Licensing requirements, contractual obligations, taxation, government approvals and regulatory uncertainty can determine whether a promising project advances or stalls. For companies operating across several jurisdictions, experienced legal counsel is an essential part of doing business.
Centurion Law Group, now known as CLG, has built its reputation addressing precisely these challenges. From Equatorial Guinea’s established petroleum industry to the emerging energy markets of Namibia, the commercial centers of Johannesburg and Lagos, and the financial corridors of Frankfurt, the African-founded firm has developed an international practice spanning energy, corporate law, finance, taxation and investment advisory.
Its evolution from a specialist energy law practice into a broader professional services organization reflects both the ambitions of its founders and the growing sophistication of African legal expertise. With a network of offices and professional partnerships across multiple jurisdictions, CLG serves multinational corporations, governments, financial institutions and African businesses navigating increasingly complex commercial environments.
Under CEO and Managing Partner Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo, appointed in January 2026, the firm is pursuing further expansion while strengthening its established practices. CLG has reported a network of more than 300 attorneys and business advisers and a presence extending across more than 50 countries through offices and professional partnerships. Its growth has been accompanied by international recognition, regional tax accreditation and experience in major energy transactions.
From Centurion Law Group to an International Practice
CLG’s origins are closely associated with NJ Ayuk, the internationally recognized energy lawyer and Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, whose entrepreneurial vision helped establish Centurion Law Group as an influential African legal practice.
The firm’s early development was shaped by the demands of Africa’s oil and gas industry. International operators, independent explorers and investors required advisers familiar with production-sharing agreements, petroleum licensing, project finance, taxation and the regulatory requirements of individual countries.
Centurion positioned itself to meet those needs, bringing together African legal expertise and international commercial experience. Equatorial Guinea became an important foundation for its operations, while expansion into Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa established a wider regional presence.
By 2016, when the firm opened its Johannesburg headquarters, Centurion already maintained offices in Malabo, Accra and Douala. Its expanding network allowed it to advise clients across jurisdictions where legal systems, investment regulations and commercial practices differed considerably.
As the business developed, its services expanded beyond oil and gas into corporate transactions, banking and finance, taxation, dispute resolution, infrastructure and market-entry advisory. Clients increasingly required coordinated legal support for investments involving several countries, creating opportunities for a firm with established regional relationships.
The adoption of the CLG identity in 2024 reflected this broader offering. The rebranding positioned the organization as an integrated legal, tax and business advisory firm while preserving the energy expertise that had established its reputation.
NJ Ayuk’s Vision and Lasting Legacy
NJ Ayuk’s contribution to CLG’s development extends beyond its founding. He helped establish a model demonstrating that African lawyers could lead sophisticated international transactions, compete with established foreign firms and build lasting relationships with major investors.
As founding CEO, Ayuk combined legal expertise with commercial ambition and an extensive network across the energy industry. His understanding of African regulatory environments helped the firm attract clients seeking advisers capable of navigating both contractual requirements and local business realities.
Under his leadership, Centurion expanded its geographical reach, recruited internationally trained lawyers and developed capabilities in project finance, energy transactions and corporate advisory. Its work in established petroleum markets provided the experience and relationships that supported subsequent expansion.
Ayuk also emphasized professional development, creating opportunities for African lawyers to gain exposure to international transactions and specialized legal practice.
His departure from executive leadership in February 2024 marked an important transition as the firm continued developing its institutional structures. His wider work as Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber has maintained his influence in debates on energy investment, local content, industrialization and African participation in the global energy industry.
The foundations established during his tenure remain evident in CLG’s commercial approach, international relationships and strong presence in African energy markets.
Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo Leads CLG’s Next Chapter
Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo’s appointment as CEO and Managing Partner in January 2026 placed an accomplished energy and finance lawyer at the helm of CLG’s international operations.
A Columbia Law School graduate, Ojogbo has advised on energy and infrastructure projects in more than 30 African countries. Her experience includes project development, financing, corporate transactions, regulatory matters and cross-border commercial negotiations.
Her career within CLG has been marked by rapid advancement. After becoming the youngest partner in the firm’s history, she took responsibility for its Frankfurt office in 2019, strengthening connections between European investors and African markets.
She also played a leading role in developing CLG Plus, the firm’s flexible legal and tax advisory platform designed to support businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions.
In a March 2026 interview with Pan African Visions, Ojogbo emphasized institutional stewardship, governance, profitability and disciplined execution as priorities for her leadership. Her focus includes improving coordination among offices, maintaining professional standards and ensuring that expansion translates into stronger client services.
Her appointment comes at a demanding time for Africa’s energy industry. Investors face tighter financing conditions, changing regulatory expectations and growing pressure to balance energy development with environmental commitments. Ojogbo has emphasized the importance of commercially realistic approaches that expand electricity access, develop natural gas resources and attract investment into essential infrastructure.
CLG’s expansion into North Africa has also gained momentum under her leadership. In January 2026, the firm established a strategic collaboration with Libya’s Zahaf & Partners, combining international advisory capabilities with local legal expertise in a market seeking renewed energy investment.
The arrangement reflects a broader strategy of extending CLG’s reach through established offices and carefully selected professional partnerships.
Experienced Leadership Across African Markets
CLG’s operations are supported by lawyers, country directors and specialists whose knowledge of local markets has been important to its development.
In Equatorial Guinea, Manuel Oliveira has served as Managing Director, helping consolidate the firm’s position in one of Africa’s established petroleum-producing countries. His work has been associated with CLG’s strong reputation in the local legal market and its recognition by Chambers and Partners.
In the Republic of Congo, Yves Ollivier was appointed Managing Director of the Pointe-Noire office in 2024. His professional background includes experience with French law firms and TotalEnergies, providing expertise in energy transactions, corporate law and investment advisory.
South Africa has remained an important center of operations, with partner Leon van der Merwe contributing to the firm’s corporate and commercial practice. In Central Africa, Tax and Legal Director Daoudou Mohammed has played a role in strengthening CLG’s regional tax advisory capabilities.
The firm’s operational development has also benefited from professionals such as Strayson Vermeulen, previously identified as Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, whose responsibilities included supporting financial management and international operations.
Together, these professionals illustrate CLG’s approach to building expertise within individual markets while maintaining access to a wider international network.
An Expanding Footprint Across Africa and Europe
CLG’s geographical presence has become an important advantage for clients conducting business across several countries.
Its published office directory identifies locations in Johannesburg, South Africa; Lagos, Nigeria; Malabo, Equatorial Guinea; Douala, Cameroon; Accra, Ghana; Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo; Windhoek, Namibia; Juba, South Sudan; Ebène, Mauritius; and Frankfurt, Germany.
The network connects established financial centers with important energy-producing economies and emerging investment destinations.
Johannesburg provides access to Southern Africa’s corporate and financial markets, while Lagos and Accra serve major West African commercial centers. Malabo, Douala and Pointe-Noire support operations in Central Africa’s hydrocarbon industry, where energy investment remains an important source of economic activity.
Windhoek places CLG close to Namibia’s developing offshore petroleum industry, while Juba provides a presence in South Sudan’s energy market. Mauritius offers opportunities in international investment structuring, and Frankfurt connects the firm’s African operations with European investors, financial institutions and industrial companies.
Beyond these offices, CLG has developed professional relationships covering additional markets, including Senegal, Gabon and Libya. The firm reports a wider presence across more than 50 countries through offices and partnerships, although its published directory does not individually identify permanent offices in every jurisdiction.
For multinational clients, the value of this network lies in obtaining coordinated advice across different legal and regulatory systems. Investments involving several African countries frequently require expertise in taxation, corporate establishment, licensing, employment regulations and contractual compliance.
A Strong Reputation in Africa’s Energy Industry
Energy remains CLG’s most established area of specialization. The firm has developed experience in oil and gas exploration, production-sharing agreements, petroleum licensing, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance and natural gas development.
Its work spans upstream exploration and production, midstream infrastructure and downstream operations, supporting the contractual and regulatory arrangements required for major investments.
One notable assignment involved the Fortuna floating liquefied natural gas project in Equatorial Guinea. CLG reported its involvement in negotiating an umbrella agreement and supporting documents intended to establish the project’s legal and fiscal framework.
The assignment demonstrated the firm’s capabilities in complex energy transactions involving government interests, commercial agreements and regulatory requirements.
In Uganda, CLG advised Oranto Petroleum on a two-year extension of its exploration license covering the Ngassa Deep and Ngassa Shallow areas in 2023. The work reflected the importance of legal expertise in sustaining exploration programs and protecting investment commitments.
The firm’s energy practice has also expanded into natural gas monetization, electricity infrastructure, renewable energy and related technologies. These areas are attracting growing attention as African countries seek to strengthen energy security, expand power generation and develop domestic industries.
CLG’s experience has established relationships with international oil companies, independent producers, service providers, investors and public institutions. Its understanding of the regulatory and commercial demands of African energy projects remains central to its reputation.
Chambers and Partners Recognition Confirms Market Standing
CLG received a significant endorsement in February 2025 when it secured a Band 1 ranking in the Chambers and Partners Global Guide for Equatorial Guinea.
The recognition continued a record of strong performance in the country’s legal market, where Centurion had previously achieved Band 1 status in 2019.
Chambers and Partners conducts independent research into law firms, assessing professional capabilities, client experience and market standing. Its rankings are widely used by companies and investors seeking legal representation in international markets.
CLG’s Equatorial Guinea practice has been recognized for its work in natural resources, corporate matters and major oil and gas transactions. The 2025 ranking reinforced its standing in a jurisdiction where legal expertise remains important to petroleum investment and commercial development.
The recognition also reflected the contribution of the firm’s local team, including Managing Director Manuel Oliveira, whose experience has supported CLG’s operations in the country.
For an African-founded practice competing in an international industry, sustained recognition by an established legal directory provides an important measure of professional credibility.
CEMAC Tax Accreditation Strengthens Regional Reach
Another milestone came in April 2025 when CLG secured accreditation as a tax adviser within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community, known as CEMAC.
The approval, granted by the CEMAC Standing Committee on Fiscal and Accounting Harmonization, authorized CLG Tax and Legal to provide tax advisory services across Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
The accreditation strengthened the firm’s capabilities in a region where multinational investments frequently involve complex taxation requirements.
Energy and infrastructure projects can require advice on corporate income tax, withholding obligations, transfer pricing, customs regulations and fiscal arrangements negotiated with national authorities.
CLG’s regional accreditation enables it to provide coordinated legal and tax support across the six member countries, reducing the need for clients to manage separate advisory arrangements in each jurisdiction.
The development also reinforced the firm’s position as an integrated professional services provider, particularly for investors whose operations extend across Central Africa.
Beyond Energy: A Broad Legal and Advisory Practice
CLG’s expansion has been accompanied by a broader range of services covering corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, dispute resolution, employment law, infrastructure, mining and international trade.
Its corporate practice advises on company establishment, investment structuring, due diligence, acquisitions, joint ventures and regulatory approvals. Banking and finance services cover lending arrangements, project financing and commercial transactions.
Tax advisory includes international tax planning, transfer pricing, corporate tax compliance and dispute resolution, while the firm’s litigation and arbitration capabilities support clients involved in commercial disagreements.
The firm also assists international businesses entering African markets, helping them understand investment requirements, licensing procedures, local-content obligations and corporate regulations.
In 2020, Centurion supported Turkish Airlines’ entry into Equatorial Guinea, illustrating its ability to apply market-entry expertise beyond the energy industry. The same year, the firm launched a sports, media and entertainment practice, adding another dimension to its commercial services.
Its diversification has allowed CLG to serve businesses whose activities span multiple sectors, while maintaining the energy practice that remains a major source of its international profile.
CLG Plus Offers Flexible Cross-Border Support
CLG Plus forms part of the firm’s strategy to provide flexible legal and tax services to companies operating across several jurisdictions.
The platform allows businesses to access professional support according to their operational requirements, helping them manage regulatory compliance, taxation, corporate matters and commercial transactions without relying entirely on extensive in-house legal departments.
Ojogbo played a leading role in developing the service through the Frankfurt office, drawing on her experience advising international companies with African operations.
The model responds to the needs of businesses whose legal requirements change as projects move through financing, construction and commercial operations.
For CLG, it provides another means of serving multinational clients through coordinated professional expertise across its network.
Building African Legal Talent
Professional development has been an important feature of CLG’s growth. From its early years, Centurion invested in training, mentorship and international exposure for African lawyers seeking careers in corporate law, energy and finance.
Equatorial Guinea provides one example of that commitment. In 2020, the firm reported that more than 40 lawyers from the country had benefited from professional development opportunities involving institutions and law firms in Europe and the United States.
Such training has helped develop lawyers familiar with international commercial standards and the practical demands of complex transactions.
Ojogbo’s career reflects the opportunities created within the organization. Her progression from energy and finance assignments to international office leadership and ultimately the position of CEO and Managing Partner demonstrates the firm’s capacity to develop senior professionals internally.
Her recognition as Private Practice Rising Star at the 2020 African Legal Awards further underscored her professional achievements.
For African lawyers, the growth of firms such as CLG offers opportunities to pursue international careers while remaining connected to the continent’s expanding commercial markets.
Positioning for Africa’s Next Investment Cycle
CLG’s future prospects are closely tied to developments in Africa’s energy, infrastructure and investment markets.
In established petroleum-producing countries such as Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and the Republic of Congo, continued investment in exploration, production and natural gas infrastructure will require experienced legal and commercial advisers.
Emerging energy markets present additional opportunities. Namibia’s offshore discoveries, Senegal’s expanding petroleum industry and renewed investor interest in Libya are creating demand for expertise in licensing, project finance, corporate transactions and regulatory compliance.
Beyond hydrocarbons, electricity generation, mining, transport infrastructure and regional trade are opening new areas for professional services.
The African Continental Free Trade Area and the expansion of African companies into neighboring markets are also increasing demand for coordinated cross-border legal advice.
These opportunities place considerable demands on firms operating internationally. CLG must maintain consistent professional standards, manage regulatory differences, recruit experienced lawyers and ensure that its expanding operations remain commercially efficient.
Ojogbo’s emphasis on governance, profitability and disciplined execution reflects these priorities. The firm’s ability to strengthen its existing practices while developing new markets will be important to its long-term competitiveness.
An African Legal Success Story with Global Ambitions
From its beginnings in Equatorial Guinea’s energy industry to its expanding international network, CLG has developed into a prominent African-founded legal and business advisory organization.
Its growth has been shaped by NJ Ayuk’s entrepreneurial vision, the experience of its regional leadership teams and the emergence of Oneyka Cindy Ojogbo as the executive guiding its next phase.
The firm has built a recognized energy practice, expanded into new advisory disciplines, secured regional tax accreditation and earned international recognition for its legal expertise.
Its development also reflects a wider change in African professional services, with locally founded firms increasingly competing for sophisticated international assignments and developing the expertise required to support major investments.
For CLG, the challenge now is to consolidate those achievements, strengthen its international operations and maintain the confidence of clients in demanding commercial markets.
With established energy expertise, a growing advisory network and experienced leadership, the firm is well positioned to pursue that ambition while contributing to the development of African legal talent and the continent’s investment landscape.
Source: panafricanvisions.com
