Opportunity magazine is a niche business-to-business publication that explores various investment opportunities within Southern Africa’s economic sectors. The publication is endorsed by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI).
Centurion Law Group A
Centurion Law Group A powerhouse that is reshaping the legal landscape in Africa and beyond. Centurion is a leading Pan- African legal and business advisory conglomerate. Zion Adeoye, Centurion Law Group Managing Director. Established in 2007 by NJ Ayuk, one of Africa’s foremost energy lawyers and entrepreneurs, Centurion Law Group has expanded its influence within a span of 15 years from a single point of origin and niche practice to an integrated law conglomerate providing full-suite legal and tax advisory services from its network of offices strategically placed across Africa, the UAE and Germany. Headquartered in Johannesburg, Centurion Law Group (Centurion) has its roots deep in the African soil while simultaneously spreading its reach across the world, establishing offices and partnerships across Europe and the Middle East. With a multilingual team of seasoned lawyers and advisors, the unparalleled blend of local insight and international expertise continues to be a winning formula. The firm is home to over 200 legal professionals, reflecting the breadth of its international presence and its diverse team represents over 25 nationalities, embodying the firm's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Centurion is renowned for the transformation it has brought to the practice of law in Africa. Its team, comprising internationally-trained advisors and lawyers, has been integral in advising a myriad of entities including governments, foreign investors, local companies, other law firms and the private sector. The ability to communicate in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Afrikaans and German gives the firm an additional edge in the global legal arena. While we are the toast of multinationals operating across Africa, who continue to be endeared by our seamless integration and ubiquitousness, our fee approach and lean operations ensure that we can provide premium legal services and critical business support to Fortune 500 companies and local SMEs alike. There is a daily increment in the realisation of our vision to become the preeminent international legal and business advisory solutions provider on the African continent. Our core values are integral to every decision we make and they are what bring us together as a team. Our team The strength of Centurion lies in its young exceptional team primed to lead African legal industry for the next quarter of a century. The CEO of Centurion is NJ Ayuk, JD/MBA, a multiple New York Times best-selling list author and a foremost energy lawyer. Described by many as a freak of nature and a once-in-a-generation business leader and deal maker, NJ Ayuk’s vision of a thriving continent supported predominantly by African lawyers and business lawyers continues to have full expression in the calibre and quality of work undertaken by Centurion across the continent. Centurion’s CEO is supported by Zion Adeoye, an awardwinning lawyer with over 15 years of legal and real-time key sector experience in multiple jurisdictions across Africa, uniquely garnered in the public sector, Big Four, Big Law and industry. His education spans Nigeria, the USA and the UK, where he obtained his Bachelor 16 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
CENTURION LAW GROUP of Laws, an LLM in International Business Law and an MBA in International Oil and Gas Management respectively. Strayson Vermeulen is the COO and CFO with 18 years of experience and specialisation in International Business, well-versed in the complexities of conducting business on a global scale. Her expertise is significantly influential in Centurion's ability to navigate the intricacies of international markets and to develop effective business strategies for global reach. Her ability to assess the value of assets, analyse financial data and make informed decisions regarding investments opportunities and project funding is a critical business support consistently called upon by lawyers at the firm and clients alike. This knowledge allows her to ensure compliance and mitigate legal risk while driving the growth and expansion of the firm. Her education includes Financial Analysts, Business Management, and Master in Business Administration reflects her commitment to academic excellence and continuous professional development. Being able to handle a multitude of complex operations within and outside Africa, coupled with her expertise in finance, accounting, law and telecommunication, positions her as an indispensable corporate leader in the firm. Onyeka Ojogbo is the firm’s in-house technical powerhouse and an award-winning trailblazer in several respects. A product of the University of Ibadan and Columbia Law School, New York, and called to both the Nigerian and New York bars, Onyeka leads some of the firm’s most complex cross-border transactions and acts as a director at the firm’s headquarters in both South Africa and Germany. The majority of Centurion’s lawyers boast advanced training from prestigious universities across Africa, Europe and the USA, complemented by multiple legal and tax qualifications. This potent combination of local knowledge and international competence underpins the firm's success. Our Centurion Plus offering To keep your costs down and ensure you are always ahead of the curve in the markets you serve, we continue to aggregate country-qualified and geographically-mobile attorneys and advisers who can serve you on an on-demand basis and who can be deployed to fill in-house roles on a short to long-term basis, always backed by a team of the best African talent. Centurion Plus is a hard guarantee of quality services, tailored to the client’s current and specific needs, and at the most cost-effective rates in the premium market. Our regional and international presence Africa is brimming with opportunity and, where there is growth and development, there is a lawyer. Centurion Law Group has led the way when it comes to change on the continent. The firm is proud of its African heritage but does not believe it is limited by it. While we are able to serve clients on the four corners of the African continent across 54 jurisdictions, we have established key bases where our core team works from. CEMAC Our bilingual teams in Cameroon, Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea are available to respond to queries for local and international businesses wishing to establish themselves in these jurisdictions. The teams have particular expertise in tax and intellectual property and are often drawn into regional projects. Another strength is with energy clients and other corporate multinationals. West Africa In West Africa, in particular Nigeria and Ghana, our team’s experience includes provision of legal and tax advisory services for over a decade, including relevant experience with the provision of tax advisory services to multinationals. The teams also has seasoned advocates with in-depth knowledge of navigating regulatory affairs throughout the region. Southern Africa Centurion’s headquarters is in Johannesburg with strategic offices in Maputo, Luanda and Windhoek. Strayson Vermeulen, Centurion Law Group COO and CFO. Oneyka Ojogbo is a Director of the Centurion Law Group.
