Law firm DLA Piper has appointed Kalidou Gadio as co-chairperson of the US-Africa Practice based out of its Washington DC office.

He brings deep knowledge of the sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East and North Africa regions, having previously spent 27 years at development finance institution the African Development Bank (AfDB), including eight years as general counsel.

“We have a bold vision to be the preeminent provider of legal services supporting business between the US and the African continent. Kalidou has tremendous talent with a breadth of experience in Africa that is matched by few.

“He will play a critical role in achieving our vision. We look forward to introducing him to our clients while also leveraging our firm’s unrivalled African footprint and reputation to support his practice,” said DLA Piper US-Africa Practice co-chair Naana Frimpong.

Gadio’s practice focuses on strategic and economic development projects involving energy, natural resources and infrastructure. He represents developers, construction companies, financiers and sovereign States on financing structures, risk allocation, financing arrangements and relevant security packages, DLA Piper said.

Gadio also advises governments and corporations in anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism and in disputes involving foreign investments in the energy and natural resources sectors, the law firm added.

“Kalidou has accrued a wealth of experience over an illustrious career and has a deep knowledge of the ways in which we may more meaningfully support our clients with their Africa needs. He will be instrumental in further strengthening our work between the US and Africa,” said DLA Piper Washington DC office managing partner William Minor.

Further, during Gadio's tenure at the AfDB, he played a critical role in creating Africa50, which is an investment bank for continental Africa with a slated capital of $3-billion, as well as in setting up the African Legal Support Facility, which provides legal and capacity building services for African governments negotiating major commercial and infrastructure contracts.

Gadio’s other notable experience includes restructuring Shelterafrique into a full development finance institution, counselling African governments in legislative reforms, building institutional capacity and advising sovereign corporations, private enterprises and public-private partnerships on project finance transactions.