Heba El Naggar, Partner, joined ZH in 2014 and has significant experience in corporate and commercial matters as well as PPP projects. She is well-versed in the field of M&A where she regularly leads due diligence teams in relation to acquisitions and drafts and negotiates the relevant transaction documents. Heba frequently advises clients on the establishment of a legal presence in Egypt and on exit strategies, she reviews and drafts commercial contracts, and advises on real estate and labor issues.
With over 17 years of experience, selected examples of matters that she has taken part include:
- Advising Fortescue Future Industries on the green hydrogen project in Egypt. (2021 – In progress)
- Advising Antipollution Egypt SAE on the port reception facilities & waste management contract with Suez Canal Authority – with an investment value of ca. USD 150 million. (2023)
- Advising OCI on the first e-methanol green bunkering in Egypt. (2023)
- Advising the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) in its acquisition of SEGAS SAE (owner of the Damietta LNG Plant) and SEGAS Services SAE as part of the settlement arrangement of the disputes between EGAS and Union Fenosa Gas. (2021)
- Advising the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in supporting the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company in the design and implementation of Egypt’s first solar auction program. (2020)
- Advising Bidders on the anticipated USD 110 million 6th of October dry port PPP project. (2020)
- Advising the Government of Egypt on the Design and Procurement (EPC) and the Operation and Maintenance of the High Speed Railway Project connecting Ain Sokhna to New Alamein City. (2018 / 2020)
- Representing ENGIE’s in relation to the 262.5 MW windfarm project in the Gulf of Suez. (2018)
- Providing legal support to El Canal Sugar Company in the Agricultural Industrial Project for the Production of Sugar in Egypt. (2018)
- Advising Capital Group Properties for Real Estate Development in the contract for the construction and selling of an international school. (2018)
- Advising CORPLEASE in its 5th, 6th and 7th issuances of securitization bonds. (2015, 2016, 2017 – respectively)
- Advising BPE Partners and Tanmiya Capital Ventures in their acquisition of Tamweel Group. (2017)
- Advising on the joint venture of the Austrian ALPLA Group and the Egyptian Taba Group. (2016)
- Advising the GDF Consortium on the 250 MW wind farm project in the Gulf of Suez. (2016)
- Advising Marseilia for Real Estate Investment in its securitization. (2015)
- Advising Actis LLP in the acquisition of Integrated Diagnostic Holdings. (2014)
- Advising CORPLEASE in the securitization of its bonds in relation to 190 of financial lease agreements of cars, machinery equipment, real estate buildings and land plots amounting to EGP 868 million. (2014)
- Advising the Egyptian Ministry of Finance in conjunction with KPMG on the design, financing, construction and operation of the secondary treatment stage for Abo Rawash wastewater treatment plant PPP Project and the operation and maintenance of the existing primary treatment facilities with a capacity of 1.2 million m3 / day. The work undertaken in this project included carrying out a due diligence exercise over the project, applicable laws and land issues, assisting the Ministry of Finance in putting together the legal data room, preparation of contract and tender documents, reviewing bids and responding to questions. The work also included advising the Ministry of Finance on the implementation of the new PPP law. Due to the 2011 Revolution, the project was put on hold by the Government and then it was re-launched. (2013)
- Advising the Egyptian Government in relation to the Alexandria University Hospitals PPP Project for the design, construction, financing, equipping, furnishing, maintenance, and provision of selected non-clinical services for twenty years and transfer of ownership back to Alexandria University in connection with the Smouha Maternity University Hospital and Blood Bank and Mowassat Specialized University Hospital. The project reached commercial closing in April 2012 when the winning bidder signed the project contract with Alexandria University. Work carried out included participating in the drafting of the project contract and in the drafting and negotiation of direct agreement for financial closing. (2012 / 2013)
- Advising MCIT on the feasibility of carrying out Phase 4 of an ICT project for the development of 10 buildings by the private sector which will have the task to design, finance, build, operate and maintain a cost effective office space with international standards of in accordance with the provisions of the PPP Law No. 67 of 2010. (2013)
- Drafting a report on sub-sovereign financing of infrastructure projects in Egypt for the benefit of an international financial institution wishing to commence operations in Egypt. (2012)
IFLR1000 ranked Heba as “Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer” in M&A in 2022 and 2023. The Legal 500 ranked her as “Next Generation Partner” in the Commercial, Corporate, and M&A practice in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 – and as “Next Generation Lawyer” in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
She is member of the Egyptian Bar Association and was admitted before the Court of Appeal in 2016. She is fluent in Arabic and English.
Heba received a B.A. in Political Science from the American University in Cairo in 2000, the LL.B. from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law in 2005, and the LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from the American University in Cairo in 2008.
Email: Heba.Elnaggar@hashemlaw.com
