SANTA ISABEL ABOGADOS & CONSULTORES |

Your Trusted Business Partner

Welcome to Santa Isabel Abogados & Consultants

As the founder of Santa Isabel Abogados & Consultants, I take great pride in introducing you to our firm. Our mission is simple: to provide exceptional legal and consulting services, guided by the core values that define our work.

At Santa Isabel, we are built on four fundamental pillars:

Justice: Advocating for fairness and protecting our clients’ rights.
Integrity: Earning trust through transparency and ethical conduct.
Strategy: Developing tailored, forward-thinking solutions.
Results: Delivering measurable, impactful outcomes.

We understand that legal and compliance challenges can have profound implications for businesses operating in high-risk jurisdictions – affecting operations, investments, and reputation. Navigating these complexities requires deep local knowledge, strategic foresight, and the ability to anticipate challenges before they arise.

At Santa Isabel, we don’t just understand these challenges – we tackle them daily, ensuring our clients remain secure, compliant, and competitive. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, we leverage our expertise to provide clear, effective, and commercially viable solutions.

Thank you for visiting us.

Apolonio Sénobua
Founder

Who We Are

Santa Isabel Abogados & Consultants is a dynamic, forward-thinking Pan-African legal and consulting firm committed to legal excellence and client dedication. Our firm provides practical, innovative, and sustainable legal solutions tailored to the evolving needs of businesses and individuals in Equatorial Guinea and beyond. With deep expertise in regulatory and governmental frameworks, we deliver strategic counsel that empowers clients to navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence and clarity.

Primary Practice Areas

Business Expansion and Investment Advisory:

Whether you are a service company or a potential foreign investor, Santa Isabel guides you throughout your investment lifecycle. Advising on market entry strategies and corporate structuring in Equatorial Guinea. Handling company incorporation, registration, and licensing under OHADA and local laws. Advising on investment protection strategies, tax planning, regulatory approvals, local partnerships, sound due diligence and risk mitigation.

Government Relations & Policy Advisory:

Santa Isabel is renowned for its ability to build bridges between companies and government authorities, fostering mutual understanding and collaboration. We represent clients in negotiations with regulatory bodies, provide strategic guidance on policy developments and legislative changes, draft impactful position papers and regulatory submissions, and facilitate productive dialogue between operators and government stakeholders. Our firm is recognized for its diplomatic approach and deep expertise in regulatory affairs, ensuring that clients navigate complex legal landscapes with confidence and clarity.

Local Content & Workforce Solutions:

Santa Isabel supports its clients with local capacity-building strategies while ensuring compliance with Local Content Regulations through workforce localization, tailored employment contracts, efficient dispute resolution, and structured training programs.

Regulatory & Compliance Advisory:

Santa Isabel prides itself on being a trusted partner for compliance in one of the world’s most regulated sectors.
Tailored compliance services include guidance on hydrocarbons licensing processes, advice on international anti-corruption laws such as the FCPA and UK Bribery Act, development of in-house compliance programs and support with reporting requirements to regulatory authorities, such as BEAC.

Contract Negotiation, Drafting, and Management:

Santa Isabel navigates the complexities of contract negotiation, drafting, and management. The firm handles service and supply agreements for drilling, logistics, and equipment rental, as well as Joint Operating Agreements (JOAs), Farm-in/Farm-out agreements, and Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs). It also manages confidentiality agreements (NDAs), MOUs, and exclusivity agreements while conducting legal due diligence to mitigate risks and ensure contract enforceability.

Taxation & Fiscal Strategy:

Our firm helps companies navigate tax-efficient structures while ensuring compliance with local and international tax laws.
Our services include optimizing taxes for PSCs, service contracts, and joint ventures, resolving disputes with tax authorities, managing VAT and withholding tax compliance, and advising on incentives for sustainable projects.

Dispute Resolution with Industry Insights:

We provide proactive dispute prevention and resolution services, prioritizing amicable solutions to preserve business relationships. Our expertise includes arbitration under ICC and ICSID rules, mediating operational disputes such as force majeure and contract breaches, litigation with government entities and contractors, and resolving royalty and operational liability issues.

Environmental Law & ESG Advisory:

As sustainability becomes central to energy operations, we help clients navigate environmental and ESG requirements. Advising on Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for new projects.
Developing Environmental Management Plans (EMP) in line with local and international standards. Assisting clients in implementing ESG frameworks to attract responsible investors.
Handling environmental litigation, including claims related to oil spills.

Immigration Services:

Santa Isabel offers tailored immigration solutions to companies and professionals, ensuring smooth transitions for expatriates.
We assist companies with work permits, residence visas, and business travel visas for expatriates and their families, ensuring compliance with immigration laws. Our services include managing documentation, renewals, audits, risk management, and representation with immigration authorities to resolve disputes or delays.

Debt Recovery and Contract Enforcement Services:

Santa Isabel provides effective debt recovery solutions, including pre-litigation settlements, litigation and enforcement, arbitration, cross-border recovery, debt portfolio management, fraud investigation, and payment plan negotiations, ensuring legally compliant and efficient resolution of outstanding debts.

Mission

To empower businesses and individuals across Africa by delivering exceptional legal and consultancy services. We are committed to fostering compliance, transparency, and sustainable growth by offering client-centered solutions that navigate the complexities of regulatory frameworks and safeguard investments across borders.

Vision

To become the go-to Pan-African law firm, trusted across the region for protecting investments, bridging local and international legal practices, and fostering sustainable growth. We aim to lead the legal profession in promoting socio-economic development and enabling businesses to thrive in Africa’s dynamic and interconnected markets.