Jonathan Brufal Partner Head of International Projects and Co-Head of Africa Group


Speaks:  English

Qualified: 1996 - Solicitor of England & Wales

Qualified: 1996 - Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales


Primary office:  Abu Dhabi

Secondary office:  London




Jonathan Brufal

Jonathan Brufal heads Gowling WLG's international projects and Africa Group and has over 20 years' experience helping clients to deliver complex high value energy and infrastructure projects across the Middle East and Africa. Jonathan has recently relocated to the Dubai office to spearhead the firm's energy and infrastructure practice.

With experience across many different jurisdictions and sectors, acting for both public and private sector organisations, Jonathan's clients benefit from his all-round perspective of different parties' interests and priorities.

He has an acute awareness of the need to be pragmatic and commercial to deliver successful projects in emerging markets. He also has a deep understanding of the range of funding models used around the world, and a comprehensive knowledge of international PPP models and market risk positions.

Jonathan relishes the challenge of helping to get off the ground big, complex and hugely important energy and infrastructure projects in sometimes challenging environments across Africa, the Middle East and, increasingly, Central Asia. He has particular experience in the power and utilities, mining and metals, infrastructure and PPP sectors; experience he enjoys putting to good use for the benefit of his clients, which include sponsors, borrowers, banks and governments.

Jonathan has been ranked by Legal 500 2020 as a leading individual for emerging markets and energy and infrastructure. He also led the team that has been shortlisted for Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year in The Lawyer Awards 2020 for his work on the Yerevan CCGT project in Armenia in addition to having recently won Partnership Awards 2019: Best Legal Advisor.

Experience

Jonathan focuses on advising procurers and other public sector agencies on the tender design and award of high value complex energy and water projects.

  • He is leading the team supporting the Nexant consortium, which was earlier this year awarded a place on the USAID Power Africa IDIQ framework as part of USAID's target to add new and cleaner power generation and connections
  • He also has a strong developer practice in the GCC, Sub-Saharan Africa and Central Asia.
  • Advised a Siemens' consortium on a power generation project - the first successful greenfield project financing in Armenia which achieved financial close in 2019 (2017-19).
  • In the water sector, he led the team advising the Sumitomo Corporation and Veolia consortium on their bid for the Taweelah RO IWP project in Abu Dhabi which will be the largest desalination project in the world.
  • He has also recently been instructed by an international water developer to advise on the Mombasa IWP in Kenya which will be the first desalination project in the country.
  • In the renewables sector he continues to advise AGES on a solar PV in Sierra Leone, which is currently in financing the first solar project in the country.
  • Advising the developer on the project development and financing of a series of battery storage projects in East and Southern Africa.

Career & Recognition

Filter timeline:
  • 2023

  • 2022

  • 2021

  • 2020

  • 2019

    • Rankings & Awards
      September 2019
      Legal 500 2019 Leading Individuals - Emerging Markets
    • Education
       2019
  • 2018

    • Rankings & Awards
       2018
      Legal 500 UAE, Tier One Construction
    • Rankings & Awards
       2018
  • 2016

    • Career
       2016
      Gowling WLG (UK) LLP, partner
  • 2014

    • Career
       2014
      Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, partner
  • 2012

    • Career
       2012
      Wragge & Co LLP, partner
  • 2011

    • Rankings & Awards
       2011
      Middle East Infrastructure Deal of the Year, PFI Magazine - Muharraq Wastewater PPP Project
  • 2008

    • Career
       2008
      Norton Rose LLP, partner - Head of Middle East Infrastructure, Abu Dhabi
  • 2007

    • Rankings & Awards
       2007
      Africa Mining Deal of the Year, PFI Magazine, Lumwana Copper Mine Zambia
    • Rankings & Awards
       2007
      European Mining Deal of the Year, PFI Magazine, Voshkod Chromite Project, Kazakhstan
  • 2006

    • Career
       2006
      Norton Rose LLP, partner
  • 2001

    • Education
      December 2001
      King's College London, Master of Science, Construction Law
    • Education
       2001
      MSc Construction Law and Arbitration, King's College London
  • 1997

    • Career
       1997
      Norton Rose LLP, associate
  • 1996

    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       1996
      Qualified, Solicitor of England & Wales
    • Qualifications (Year of Call/Admission, etc.)
       1996
      Qualified, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales
    • Career
       1996
      Trowers & Hamlins, associate
  • 1994

    • Career
       1994
      Trowers & Hamlins, Trainee
    • Education
       1994
      Legal Practice Course, College of Law, Guildford
  • 1993

    • Education
       1993
      LLB Law (2nd class honours division 1), Bristol University