A USD 3.5 billion national expressway public-private partnership (PPP) covering the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance of a major transport corridor. Work included the privately initiated proposal, project structuring, feasibility assessment, financing agreements and negotiation of key project documentation.
PROFILE
Nelson Ashitiva advises on major infrastructure investments, project finance and public-private partnerships across Africa.
Nelson Ashitiva is the Senior Partner at Ashitiva Advocates LLP, with over 18 years of experience advising governments, institutional investors, development finance institutions, project sponsors and corporations on complex infrastructure investments, public-private partnerships (PPPs), project finance, mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate and commercial transactions. His practice sits at the intersection of law, finance, investment and public policy, with particular expertise in capital mobilisation, transaction structuring, innovative financing solutions and regulatory advisory. Nelson has advised on multibillion-dollar infrastructure and energy transactions across transport, aviation, maritime infrastructure, energy transition, water and industrial development. His experience encompasses PPP structuring, project development and financing, securitisation, debt and equity investments, corporate acquisitions, sustainable finance and climate-related investments. He also advises governments and public institutions on legislative and regulatory reform, investment policy and institutional frameworks, including contributing to the development of Kenya’s Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021, and initiatives aimed at unlocking domestic capital for infrastructure development. Beyond transactional advisory, Nelson provides strategic counsel to boards, senior management and public institutions on corporate governance, investment strategy, business transformation and regulatory compliance.
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EXPERTISE
Projects, Energy & InfrastructurePublic-Private Partnerships (PPPs)Project Finance & Infrastructure InvestmentCapital Mobilisation & Investment StructuringCorporate, Mergers & Acquisitions
INDUSTRY SECTORS
Energy Transition, Power & UtilitiesTransport, Aviation & LogisticsPorts, Maritime & Industrial InfrastructureWater & SanitationFinancial Services & Investment
Selected Experience
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
A USD 2.5 billion international airport expansion and modernisation project under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model, including transaction advisory, legal due diligence, project finance and risk assessment, concession negotiations and preparation of legislative reports.
A USD 1.2 billion petroleum terminal PPP in East Africa involving the design, financing, construction and operation of strategic energy infrastructure. Work included reviewing and negotiating investment agreements, engineering, procurement and construction contracts, collateral warranties and related transaction documentation.
A KES 43 billion infrastructure securitisation transaction financing the construction and equipping of a major international convention centre, advising the securitisation trustee on transaction documentation, fiduciary obligations, regulatory compliance and key project agreements.
A EUR 20 million sustainable infrastructure financing facility supporting water sector investments, including fund structuring, governance, tax and regulatory advisory, credit and security documentation, and financing arrangements for water infrastructure projects.
An international development finance institution on the commercialisation of over 15,000 acres of public land for large-scale agricultural investment, including legal due diligence, leasing and risk management frameworks, procurement advisory and transaction documentation.
The Government of Kenya on reform of its public-private partnership legal and institutional framework, contributing legal and policy recommendations subsequently reflected in the Public Private Partnerships Act, 2021, to strengthen infrastructure investment and project delivery.
A government-appointed task force on domestic capital mobilisation and investment policy, advising on legal and regulatory frameworks, investor participation and measures to unlock local capital for infrastructure and national development projects.
Recognition
Ranked Band 3 for Projects & Energy in Kenya by Chambers Global 2026.
Recipient of the 2026 PTH VIP 4.0 Speaker Excellence Award, recognising his contribution to legal leadership and mentorship.
Qualifications
ADMISSIONS
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), University of Nairobi
Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Kenya School of Law
LANGUAGES
English, Swahili
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Law Society of Kenya
Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK)
DISCLAIMER
The information contained in this profile is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.