Michael Strain

Michael Strain is the Managing Partner of Bowmans' Tanzania office, specialising in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). He has extensive experience advising large corporates, financial institutions, private equity firms, and high‑net‑worth individuals on equity investments, acquisitions, disposals, and joint ventures across East Africa, particularly in Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. He has particular expertise in the mining and extractives, energy, real estate, infrastructure, logistics, agribusiness, telecommunications, banking, and hospitality sectors.

He has advised Tembo Nickel on the acquisition of the USD 1.6 billion Kabanga Nickel project and its joint venture arrangements with the Government of Tanzania, Orecorp on the acquisition of the USD 500 million Nyanzaga gold project, and a major Ethiopian cement company on a USD 200 million equity investment by West China Cement. He also advised RIU Hotels and Resorts on multiple transactions in Zanzibar, including the USD 56.5 million acquisition of the Gemma dell’Est luxury resort, and has advised multiple international oil companies on aspects associated with the proposed USD 30 billion onshore LNG facility in Southern Tanzania. Prior to relocating to East Africa, he trained, qualified, and practised as a corporate and M&A lawyer in the City of London.

He holds an LL.B (details not specified). He is ranked Band 2 for General Business Law in Tanzania by Chambers Global (2025‑2026), a Leading Partner by The Legal 500, and a Notable Practitioner for Corporate and M&A by IFLR1000. He is a member of the Tanganyika Law Society and the East African Law Society.