The Cohen Group (TCG) assists clients to enter and succeed in African public and private sector markets. We help clients understand and shape the political, regulatory, legal, and media landscape; to manage risk; and to identify and secure opportunities. Our clients have ranged from mid-market to multinational firms in automotive, chemicals, civil aviation, financial services, international logistics, media, mining, oil and gas, security, and telecom sectors. Our strategic partnership with DLA Piper, the world's largest law firm, enables us to leverage its infrastructure of 77 offices on every continent, including 13 offices in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Examples of Our Work in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Assisted a leading global oil services firm to address political and regulatory issues in Angola, and served as its representative on the US-Angolan Business Council.
- Resolved regulatory issues to open a logistics hub in Central Africa to support oil and gas industry operations.
- Advised US hedge funds on political and regulatory developments in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- Advised a Middle East logistics firm on its growth strategy for Africa and reviewed acquisition targets.
- Advised a Thai engineering and logistics firm on its strategy for entering East Africa and the Maghreb.
- Assisted a US energy firm to recover assets from a West African government.
- Assisted an oil services firm to resolve actions against its workers by Equatorial Guinea's government.
- Advised a US financial firm on its dealings with the government of Equatorial Guinea.
- Assisted a US manufacturer of building systems to develop relationships with Nigerian authorities.
- Assisted a multinational professional services firm in pursuing business with multiple African governments.
- Secured a UN contract worth up to $160 million for material to support UN operations in Africa.
- Advised a large multinational food manufacturer on "food versus fuel" policies affecting African markets.
Examples of Our Work in North Africa
- Assisted energy, technology, service, and media firms to pursue opportunities in Algeria and Morocco.
- Assisted an energy services firm to build ties with Algerian officials and address security issues in Algeria.
- Assisted US financial institutions with asset recovery in post-revolutionary Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.
- Advised security firms on strategies for sales and local investment, developed business intelligence on the market, and assisted in building relationships with policy makers.
- Accurately predicted the course of the Arab Spring for many Western firms operating in the region.
- Assisted a major US movie studio to gain access to filming locations in North Africa.
The Cohen Group Team Expertise in Africa
TCG team members have the knowledge, experience, and relationships to assist clients to identify, create, and secure opportunities in Africa. This includes team members with the following background.
- Secretary William Cohen worked with heads of state and government and cabinet ministers across Africa.
- Ambassador Jeff Davidow led US policy in the region as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, was ambassador to Zambia and chargé in Zimbabwe, and spent many years in multiple peace negotiations in southern Africa, including in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.
- General Joseph Ralston led the US command for Africa, working with leaders across the continent.
- Ambassador Nick Burns and Ambassador Marc Grossman managed US diplomacy globally as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, America's most senior professional diplomat. Ambassador Burns also served in West Africa.
- Alison McGuigan was responsible for Sub-Saharan Africa at the Australia Trade Commission, and earlier served in South Africa with a focus on the media and telecom sector.
- Lord Robertson worked closely with African leaders as NATO Secretary General and UK Defence Secretary. He remains active in Africa on transportation and telecommunications infrastructure and operational issues.
- Others at TCG served as Under Secretary or Assistant Secretary with responsibilities for African issues, including chairing government bilateral committees with South Africa and Nigeria.