Covington’s Africa initiative has unparalleled experience working with companies across a variety of sectors, helping them navigate the risks of Africa and achieve their business objectives on the continent. Over the past several months, we have continued to bolster our capabilities by adding to our team of lawyers and advisors:

Jonathan Berman: Mr. Berman, a Senior Advisor to the firm’s Africa initiative and C.E.O of J.E. Berman Associates, has over 20 years of experience working with global companies on entry and operations in emerging and frontier markets. He brings insights from his experience of working with senior business leaders and understanding their approach to opportunities in a range of African markets. He is also an investor in Africa-focused technology companies and the author of Success in Africa: CEO Insights From a Continent on the Rise (2013).

Mr. Berman received an M.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1992 and his undergraduate degree from Yale University.

Worku Gachou: Mr. Gachou is a Policy Advisor in Covington’s Public Policy and Government Affairs practice, providing strategic political and economic consulting, risk management, and other advisory services for clients in the United States and Africa. Before joining the firm, Mr. Gachou was majority staff lead for Africa issues in the U.S. House of Representatives where he was responsible for the drafting and enactment of several landmark pieces of legislation impacting the continent, including the Electrify Africa Act, the END Wildlife Trafficking Act, and the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Additionally, he was responsible for oversight of all African programs initiated by the National Security Council in the White House, the U.S. Department of State, and other executive branch agencies, and was the primary congressional point of contact for foreign governments, policy and research institutions, trade associations, and lobbying firms that had interests in U.S. – Africa policy. Mr. Gachou is a WEF Global Shaper and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy member.

Mr. Gachou received an M.A.L.S in International Affairs from Georgetown University in 2013 and his undergraduate degree from DePaul University in 2009.

Bridget Nambooze: In January, we welcomed Bridget Nambooze, the second Covington-LEX Africa fellow, from Katende Ssempebwa & Co. in Uganda. Ms. Nambooze received her Master of Corporate Law from Newnham College, University of Cambridge, in 2014. She received a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in Uganda in 2011 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2012 from the Law Development Center in Uganda.

Launched in 2015, the Covington-LEX Africa Fellowship program strives to foster links between the African and international legal communities. Each year, LEX Africa member firms recommend an internal candidate for the fellowship, and the successful candidate spends three months at Covington’s Washington office.

Although Ms. Nambooze’s fellowship is quickly coming to an end, we look forward to welcoming our next fellow in 2018.

“There are vast opportunities and unique challenges when doing business in Africa,” says Witney Schneidman, a former senior State Department official and leader of Covington’s Africa initiative. “Especially given the uncertainty of the relationship between Africa and the United States under President Trump, Covington’s growth in this area, coupled with our impressive team already in place, will continue to allow us to help our clients strategically navigate the most demanding policy, legal, and regulatory challenges and successfully achieve their business goals.”

To learn more about Covington’s Africa initiative, please click here.