Achiaa Akobur Debrah

Achiaa is a Partner and head of the Banking and Finance Team at n. dowuona & company. She is recommended by Legal 500 in the areas of corporate, commercial and M&A.

She has advised on various significant matter,s including advising a leading telecom infrastructure company on a USD 200 million term facility from a syndicate of bank lenders, advising the developer of a 5-star luxury hotel on the refinancing of its existing debt and also advising on the development and financing of a multi-purpose integrated container terminal at the Port of Takoradi in Ghana.

Achiaa obtained her LLB from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and holds an LLM in International Corporate Governance and Financial Regulation (with distinction) from the University of Warwick.

• Ghana Bar Association
• Loan Market Association
• Global Alliance of Impact Lawyers

2006 Master of Laws, LLM, University of Warwick

2005 Ghana School of Law

2000 Bachelor of Laws, LL.B, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

2020 – 2025 Partner, N. Dowuona & Company

2018 – 2020 Senior Associate, N. Dowuona & Company

2015 – 2018 Associate, N. Dowuona & Company

2012 – 2013 Junior Associate, Ghartey & Ghartey

• Achiaa is a recommended lawyer by the Legal 500 (2019 – 2023) in the Corporate M&A practice and Banking and Finance areas.
• Achiaa is a recommended lawyer by the legal 500 (2021) in Energy and Infrastructure Projects practice areas.
• Achiaa is recognised as a rising star partner by IFLR1000 (31st edition) in the Banking and Finance and M&A practice areas.

“Achiaa is professional and competent. Her strengths include in-depth local knowledge of law and subject matter.”
– IFLR1000 2020

Banking and Finance

• Advising AgDevCo, a prominent impact investor, in connection with the structuring and negotiating of a tailored debt facility. This financing supports the aquaculture company’s expansion plans, boosts sustainable fish production, and enhances food security in Ghana, aligning with AgDevCo’s objectives of fostering agricultural growth and rural development.
• Advising rePATRN Ltd, an innovative recycling and circular economy-focused enterprise, in connection with the structuring and securing financing for developing two new operational sites, including negotiating asset acquisition agreements, ensuring compliance with local regulatory frameworks, and facilitating seamless integration of these assets into their ongoing business operations.
• Advising M-Kopa, a pioneering African fintech and asset financing company, in connection with obtaining a microfinance license in Ghana. Our role encompasses comprehensive regulatory guidance, strategic compliance advice, and engagement with relevant authorities to secure timely approval and establish robust governance structures to support M-Kopa’s expansion into the Ghanaian microfinance sector.
• Advising a leading Pan-African financial institution in connection with the structuring and documenting of a sophisticated financing arrangement for a pioneering commercial real estate investment trust (REIT) in Ghana, including guiding the client on compliance with real estate, investment trust, and financial regulations, and enabling the REIT to unlock significant investment opportunities in Ghana’s commercial property market.

Corporate Commercial and M&A

• Advising Injaro Agricultural Venture Capital in connection its acquisition of Outdoor Holding Limited, and on the sale of its stake in Agricare Limited.
• Advising Acumen Resilient Agricultural Fund, Société de Promotion et de Participation pour la Coopération Economique (Proparco) and Alitheia Capital, via its uMunthu II Fund in partnership with Goodwell Investments, in connection with their investment into Complete Farmer, a leading Ghanaian ag-tech company
• Advising an international financial services group in connection with the potential acquisition of a Ghanaian listed company operating in the financial services sector