Zara Jamal
Partner
Zara Jamal is a Partner at JLA Advogados since 2014 and Partner at Abreu Advogados since 2016.
She works primarily on the implementation of international businesses and project finance transactions in Mozambique, focusing particularly on the banking, insurance, real estate, agriculture and energy sectors.
Her practice centers particularly in the areas of banking, finance, corporate and regulatory law, often advising on international project financing transactions.
Her experience includes Islamic Banking having provided services for Murabaha’s first transaction in Mozambique. She is registered as an Official Industrial Property Agent with the Industrial Property Institute.
She is qualified to practice law in Portugal, Mozambique and is registered as legal practioner with the DIFC courts in the UAE.
Practice Areas
Corporate and M&A
Finance
Intellectual Property and Information Technology
Real Estate
Industries
Aviation, Maritime & Transportation
Banking & Financial Services
Energy & Natural Resources
Fintech
Investment Funds
Mining
Oil & Gas
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Projects & Structured Finance
Shopping Centres & Retail Parks
Tourism & Leisure
Languages
Portuguese
English
Spanish
Contact
Experience
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Advising a South African private equity firm on the structuring, development and implementation of a real estate complex comprising a shopping center and hotel in Maputo;
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Advising the financiers on a project finance of an LNG project in Mozambique;
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Advising the financiers on a project finance related to a heavy sand mining project in Mozambique;
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Advising a Mozambican bank on the issuance of bonds and on respective listing admission to the Mozambican stock exchange;
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Advising a Turkish airline carrier on their operations in Mozambique;
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Advising a Turkish group on the implementation and operation of a cement plant in Mozambique;
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Advising a British investment fund on the acquisition of a participating interest in an agro company in Mozambique;
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Advising two European institutions on investments in Mozambique;
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Advising a Chinese bank on financing a banking entity operating in Mozambique;
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Advising a South African investment fund on the project finance of a Mozambican company operating in the forestry industry.
Collaborated with JICA and APIEX on a project funded by the Japanese government to support, empower and improve APIEX's local performance with the aim of attracting and fostering foreign investment.
Education
Faculdade de Direito da Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Law degree (2006)
Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de Lisboa
Postgraduate degree in Information Society Law (2008)
Instituto do Direito Económico, Financeiro e Fiscal
Postgraduate degree in Competition Law and Regulation (2009)
Faculdade de Direito de Universidade de Lisboa
Postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property (2010)
World Intellectual Property Organization
Postgraduate degree in Intellectual Property, in Dubrovnik, Croatia (2011)
London School of Business and Finance
Postgraduate degree in Islamic Banking & Finance (2012)
St. Catherine’s College, Oxford University
Postgraduate degree in International Finance Law (2017)
Recognitions
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Chambers and Partners
2025, Mozambique General Business Law, Global, Band 2
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Legal 500
2024, Mozambique Foreign Law Firms, Leading Individual
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IFLR1000
2024, Banking & Finance, Mozambique, Highly Regarded
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IFLR1000
2024, Corporate and M&A, Mozambique, Highly Regarded
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African Legal Awards
2024, Partner of the Year – Southern Africa - Shortlisted
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Best Lawyers
2020 - 2022, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Portugal
