Ragia Omran

Of Counsel

Ragia Omran, Of Counsel, joined ZH in 2012 with a practice focus on banking and finance, syndicated loan agreements, international debt capital markets, project finance, commercial and corporate law, share subscription agreements, share transfer, commercial and real estate mortgage, joint venture agreements, share purchase agreements, shareholders agreements, mergers and acquisitions, BOOT/BOT projects, tender offers, due diligence, restructuring, incorporation and administration of companies, and aviation compensation claims.

With over 23 years of experience, selected examples of the matters that Ragia has led include:

  • Advising the Dealers and Joint Lead Managers in the establishment, updates and all issuances under the Arab Republic of Egypt’s USD 40 billion Global Medium Term Note Programme (GMTN). The Dealers and Joint Lead Managers consist of: Banca IMI S.p.A. UK, BNP Paribas UK, Citigroup Global Markets Limited UK, Deutsche Bank AG UK, First Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, Goldman Sachs International UK, HSBC Bank plc UK, J.P. Morgan Securities Plc UK, Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc UK, the National Bank of Egypt, Natixis, and Standard Chartered Bank UAE. (2015 – to date)
  • Advising the dealers and Arrangers in the first-ever issuance of Egypt’s Sovereign Sukuk. The dealers and arrangers comprised Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank PJSC, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Emirates NBD Bank PJSC, First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, HSBC Bank plc, and HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (UK) Limited. Linklaters LLP London acted as the English legal advisers in the issuance. (2023)
  • Advising the Cotton, Spinning, Weaving & Garment Holding Company in the Euro 540 million facility agreements from SACE S.p.A. and the Swiss Export Risk Insurance. (2023)
  • Advising Invest International Capital B.V in relation to the credit facility of EUR 12.7 million to the Egyptian Salt Industries Company (ESIC). (2023)
  • Advising Evergrow Egypt in the intercreditor facility agreement of EGP 12 billion. (2023)
  • Advising the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company SAE in the Green Bonds Refinancing of Benban solar energy project. (2022)
  • Advising the Joint Lead Managers in the USD 750 million issuance of Green Bonds by the Arab Republic of Egypt (2020)
  • Advising UK Export Finance and JPMorgan in the ca. EUR 1.88 billion loan granted to the National Authority for Tunnels towards the construction of two monorail lines in Cairo. (2020)
  • Advising UK Export Finance in the EUR 1.88 billion exporter agreements with Bombardier, Orascom and Arab Contractors in relation to the construction of two monorail lines in Cairo. (2020)
  • Advising Banque Misr and a syndicate of Egyptian banks in the EGP 1.25 billion syndicated long term facility to Cairo 3A Poultry. (2020)
  • Advising Bank of Communications Co., Ltd. Hong Kong Branch in the USD 37.5 million loan granted to finance a Boeing aircraft. (2019)
  • Advising Raya Foods in the EUR 5 million loan agreement from EBRD. (2019)
  • Advising the consortium of eight lenders led by the Commercial International Bank in Orascom Development Egypt’s syndicated loan agreement and common terms and intercreditor agreement. (2018)
  • Advising Damietta Furniture City on the EGP 765 million facility agreement from Banque Misr. (2018)
  • Advising HSBC Bank plc on the GBP 12.5 million term and revolving facility agreement and Egyptian Security Documents granted to Aquaterra Energy Group Limited. (2018)
  • Advising Deutsche Bank AG and HSBC (the lenders) on the Euro 171 million BPIAE facility agreement (and its amendment) towards financing EETC’s Beni Suef, Ismailia, Mostasmereen and Tamyelamdeed electricity substations. (2017 & 2018)
  • Advising SFIL (a French société anonyme) in the Euro 171,014,404.88 facility agreement between the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company and Deutsche Bank and other banks. (2017)
  • Advising the Egyptian Silicon Industries Corporation (the borrower) on the EGP 52 million ESICO facility agreement granted by Banque Misr. (2018)
  • Advising Misr Cement Qena on the EGP 915 million loan agreement with a syndicate of banks to finance the acquisition on ASEC Cement Minya and ASEC Ready Mix. (2016)
  • In cooperation with Allen & Overy (as international counsel), advising BNP Paribas Fortis and Société Générale (lead arrangers and lenders) on the Euro 201 million facility agreement with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company towards financing of the installation of EETC’s six electricity transmission substations of El Baroud, West Maghagha, Kafr El Zayat Extension, Wadi El Natroun, East Assuit and East Banha. (2016)
  • In cooperation with Allen & Overy (as international counsel), advising HSBC Bank plc on the Euro 186 million facility agreement with the EEHC towards the conversion of the 6th of October 600 MW electricity generation plant into combined cycle. (2016)
  • Advising HSBC Bank PLC (UK) (as SACE facility agent) HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (as mandated lead arranger and structuring bank) in the Euro 179 million facility agreement towards financing EEHC’s 4,400MW Beni Suef Combined Cycle Power Plant. (2016)
  • Advising the Commercial International Bank (as facility agent) and Ahli United Bank SAE, Banque Misr SAE, HSBC Bank Egypt SAE, National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, National Bank of Egypt SAE, and Al Ahli Bank of Kuwait Egypt SAE (as lenders) in the EGP 443 million and USD 61.4 million debt refinancing package to Orascom Hotels & Development. (2016)
  • Advising Vodafone Egypt Telecommunications SAE (the borrower) on the USD 10 million facility agreement with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (the lender). (2016)
  • Advising El Sewedy Power System Projects SAE (the borrower) on the USD 496 million syndication facility agreement with the National Bank of Egypt (as facility agent), Banque Misr, Arab African International Bank, QNB, and Abu Dhabi National Bank (as lenders). (2016)
  • Advising the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) on the USD 50 million line of credit agreement providing the African Export and Import Bank (Afreximbank) with a fund for financing trade operations between Arab exports and African imports from African countries eligible to BADEA funding. (2016)
  • In cooperation with Allen & Overy (as international counsel), advising the lenders (HSBC Bank plc and SACE S.P.A., the Italian export credit agency) in the Euro 210 million financing and foreign sovereign guarantees of EEHC’s 600 MW simple cycle power generation unit. (2015)

IFLR1000 ranked Ragia as “Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer” in the Banking and Project Finance practices in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 – and recognized her as one of the “IFLR1000 Women Leaders” in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023. The Legal 500 ranked her as “Leading Individual” in the Banking & Finance practice in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. Chambers and Partners ranked Ragia as “Band 2” in Banking & Finance and Capital Markets in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She had also been ranked in Banking & Finance in 2021.

She is member of the Egyptian Bar Association since 2002 and has been admitted to the Egyptian Courts of Appeal. She is fluent in Arabic, English, and has a basic proficiency in French.

Ragia achieved the LL.B. from Cairo University’s Faculty of Law in 2001, a master’s degree in law, Banking and Finance from Queen Mary College of the University of London in 2003, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Bryn Mawr College, Pennsylvania USA in 1994.

Email: Ragia.Omran@hashemlaw.com

'Ragia was very valuable in meetings and negotiations. A strong negotiator and highly personable. Well connected in Egypt and that is invaluable. Understands the political landscape. We enjoyed working with Ragia and would do so again. An excellent choice to accompany foreign investors in Egypt.'

IFLR1000 (Client Testimonials)

'When I have a difficult problem, I turn to Ragia.'

Chambers and Partners (Client Testimonials)

‘Ragia Omran is an exceptionally good lawyer – to the point and diligent, with good commercial acumen.‘

The Legal 500 (Client Testimonials)

'Ragia has extensive experience and knowledge in respect of debt issuances by the Egyptian sovereign. Her advice is both technically accurate and sensitive to the commercial needs of clients.'

IFLR1000 (Client Testimonials)

'She has years of experience cutting through difficult issues to deliver the advice and work product that is needed.'

Chambers and Partners (Client Testimonials), 2023

“Capital markets partner Yasser Hashem, of counsel Ragia Omran, who is 'an exceptionally good lawyer' who leads on banking and finance, and project finance partner Sameh Kamal are key names in the market.”

The Legal 500 (Client Testimonials)

'Counsel Ragia Omran, is particularly knowledgeable and gives detailed legal advice while also appreciating more subtle commercial points.'

IFLR1000 (Client Testimonials)

‘I very much enjoy working with Ragia Omran. She is very professional and has a sound grasp of Egyptian law.’

Chambers and Partners (Client Testimonials)

“Capital markets partner Yasser Hashem and practice head Ragia Omran are the leading lights at Zaki Hashem, Attorneys at Law. Omran advised BNP Paribas on the €98m financing of energy projects.”.

The Legal 500

“Ragia Omran is ‘a respected figure’ in banking and finance, with experience advising an extensive list of international investment banks. Interviewees describe her as ‘very meticulous and hard-working,’ as well as ‘"a problem solver’ who is ‘solution-oriented, flexible, and provides timely advice.’"

Chambers and Partners

“Zaki Hashem, Attorneys at Law is ‘strong on all aspects of banking and capital markets work’. Vastly experienced of counsels Yasser Hashem and Ragia Omran are the key names.”.

The Legal 500

'Ragia is a good lawyer - very active and very capable.'

Chambers and Partners (Client Testimonials)

"She is business-oriented and able to meet client needs."

Chambers and Partners

"Ragia Omran is an experienced lawyer who acts for an extensive list of international investment banks. She is also highly skilled in real estate and project finance.”

Chambers and Partners

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