Samih M. Talaat
Samih M. Talaat
Partner
Samih Talaat is a Partner in the Corporate and M&A practice, advising multinational corporations, financial institutions, development finance institutions, private equity investors and leading Egyptian businesses on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. His practice spans mergers and acquisitions, strategic investments, joint ventures, corporate restructurings, governance and general corporate advisory.
Recognized for combining technical excellence with strong commercial judgment, Samih regularly leads transactions involving complex regulatory and sector-specific considerations, delivering practical, business-focused solutions that help clients achieve their strategic objectives. He is known for his ability to navigate sophisticated negotiations, anticipate challenges and provide clear, pragmatic advice throughout the transaction lifecycle.
Samih recently led the investment round in MNT-Halan, the MENA region’s first fintech unicorn, valued at USD 1.4 billion, advising on the structuring, negotiation and execution on behalf of MNT. In addition to his transactional work, he plays an active role in mentoring junior lawyers and contributing to the continued growth of the firm’s Corporate and M&A practice.
Practice Focus
Samih’s practice focuses on corporate law, M&A, Capital Markets law, international law, and employment law. He regularly performs and covers a range of legal disciplines such as due diligence exercises, cross-border transactions, restructuring, drafting, and negotiating Share Purchase Agreements, Shareholders’ Agreements, Escrow Agreements, and the execution of said Agreements on IPO’s, mergers, acquisitions, and capital market transactions along with general corporate matters.
Selected Recent Experience
- Representation of Hassan Allam Utilities in connection with its joint venture with A.P. Moller Capital to create an integrated logistics platform providing a series of services ranging from air drop cargo handling facilities, logistics, distribution centers, integrated warehousing parks, and inland dry ports with its assets initially held in Egypt. The partnership aims to attract USD 200 million in investments.
- Representation of GB Auto Group in connection with the sale of its 7.5% minority stake in MNT Investments B.V. to Chimera Investment through Chimpropo 2 Investments SPV RSC Ltd for USD 60 million.
- Representation of MNT Investments B.V. in connection with their equity exchange for USD 200 million.
- Assisted in the IPO of EDITA Food Industries S.A.E. – a food and beverage entity — as issuers counsel in its IPO.
- Representation of Axa in connection with its acquisition of 100% of Commercial International Life Insurance Company. The transaction was valued at EGP 500 million.
- Representation of Danone in connection with its acquisition of a 100% stake in Halayeb Company for Dairy Products.
- Representation of AluNile Egypt – a leading manufacturer and installer of glass and aluminum architectural facades – in connection with its sale of a 100% stake to Ezdehar Management, an Egypt-based investment management firm.
- Representation of a global leading ride service hailing businesses as local counsel in connection with establishing companies and advising on the local rules and regulations to operate.
- Representation of several multinational and local companies in connection with drafting and negotiating different commercial agreements (shareholders agreements, joint ventures, consortiums, commercial agencies, and distribution.
- Representation of Hassan Allam Holding in connection with its sale of a minority stake to IFC. The transaction valued at EGP 500 million.
- Representation of SEB Internationale SAS and Groupe SEB Egypt for Household Appliances in connection with its acquisition of 51% of Egyptian French Company for Households being a market leader in the field of cooking equipment. The acquisition was followed by a merger, which caused SEB Internationale SAS ownership in Groupe SEB Egypt for Household Appliances to reach 55%. Transaction cash value is approximately EGP 400 million yet the overall value including the merged entity values would be a multiple of that figure.
- Representation of Lekela in connection with its acquisition of Italgen project company operating on a BOO re the 320 MW wind project located in the Red Sea Governorate, Gulf El Zeit area.
- Representation of an oil & gas services company in connection with an EPC contract where such a company would construct and operate a new multi-buoy mooring berth offshore of the existing petrochemicals plant located at west of Port Said, Egyptian Mediterranean.
- Representation of an Egyptian company operating in the field of hotels and tourism in connection with its acquisition of a five-star hotel in Hurghada, Egypt.
- Representation of Hassan Allam Holding in connection with its acquisition of a majority stake in PGESCo. The Transaction was valued at EGP 400 million.
- Representation of two real estate companies in connection with concluding development agreements.
- Representation of Palm Hills Development in connection with its joint venture with Arkan to develop two commercial areas in Palm Hills for a value exceeding EGP 6 billion.
- Representation of Hassan Allam Utilities – the utilities arm of leading regional construction and engineering group Hassan Allam Holding – in connection with its consortium agreement with Taqa concerning the Benban solar plan project in Aswan, Egypt.
- Representation of Hassan Allam Utilities – the utility arm of leading regional construction and engineering group Hassan Allam Holding - in connection with its joint venture with Lightsource BP - a global leader in the funding, development, and long-term operation of solar energy projects. The JV is intended to develop and operate solar projects locally, offering Egyptian commercial and residential customers world-class solutions in solar energy and energy storage.
- Representation of Solvay Group – a group in advanced materials and specialty chemicals – in connection with the sale of its Egyptian subsidiary to a governmental entity.
- Representation of EBRD in connection with its acquisition of (20%) stake in Infinity Solar. The transaction was valued at approximately USD 60 million.
- Representation of GB Auto in connection with acquiring a majority stake in Tokio Marine Egypt along with EFG Hermes. The transaction was valued at EGP 80 million.
- Representation of ORA development company in its acquisition of a 503-acre land situated in the North Coast, Matrouh, Egypt.
- Representation of Lorax Capital in connection with acquiring significant minority stake in Egyptian Company for Cosmeceuticals.
- Representation of Hassan Allam Utilities in its joint venture with Agility and AP Moller Capital in relation to establishing an integrated logistics platform in Egypt.
- Representation of Community Restaurants (BRGR) in its seed round led by Travco Group.
Education
University of Toronto, Faculty of Law: GPLLM
2014
McGill University, Faculty of Law: LL.M
2012
Ain Shams University, Faculty of Law: LLB
2010
Professional Associations and Memberships