Leading a formidable law firm
SNC Incorporated in hands of proactive leadership
Founder and managing partner of SNC Incorporated and regional director of the African Chapter of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN), Shakwa Nyambe shares his career journey and expertise.
SNC Incorporated is a full-service energy, natural resources, commercial and dispute resolution law firm led by Shakwa Nyambe, and based in Windhoek. The law firm was founded in April 2019. The firm’s lawyers have international exposure and a global overview of the energy, natural resources sector and commercial transactions, as well as knowledge of the laws in Namibia, Southern Africa and the rest of Africa.
Nyambe holds a masters in oil and gas law with professional skills from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, a postgraduate diploma in drafting and interpretation of contracts from the University of Johannesburg, a Baccalaureus Juris degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree both respectively from the University of Namibia.
Prior to establishing SNC Incorporated, Nyambe worked as a legal counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), as a chief legal officer at the justice ministry and as a state advocate at the High Court of Namibia.
SNC Incorporated in two years
One of the goals Nyambe has set for SNC Incorporated is to build the business into a formidable regional law firm targeting some of the major commercial centres, including Johannesburg and international cities such as London.
“It will not be an easy one, but with our vision and determination we will make it. We are also expanding our practice areas within the firm to cover all areas of business. We have a team with international skills and global exposure. Our goal is to offer legal and business services beyond Namibia to seize opportunities created by the trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
Among the lessons learned during his time with SNC, is “that you need to consistently innovate for your business in order to grow and effectively manage stakeholders’ relationships. To ensure your business grows and is sustainable, it is vital to keep innovating even when people think your ideas are crazy rather than copying someone,” he said.
Achievements
Nyambe says the law firm’s staff has grown immensely within a short period of time, from two employees in 2019 to 12 now, plus five external consultants.
“The livelihood of all these employees and consultants is dependent on this business, which makes me proud to have established a business creating employment and paying taxes to government. I am also very proud that I have assembled a team of young smart and specialised lawyers, educated in the United Kingdom and Namibia over a short period of time and contributed highly to their professional development,” he said.
Recently SNC Incorporated was shortlisted for the Africa Legal Awards 2022 in the category of ‘African Law Firm of the Year – Small Practice’.
“This recognition is a significant milestone for a law firm that is only three years old to be recognized amongst the continent’s best,” he said.
AIEN regional director
Apart from his work at SNC Incorporated, Nyambe is the current regional director for the African Chapter of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). AIEN is an independent, not-for-profit professional membership association that supports international energy negotiators around the world, enhancing their effectiveness and professionalism in the international community. In this position, Nyambe provides leadership to the AIEN African regional chapter and oversees the general operations of its activities with a regional executive committee comprising of several African countries.
Nyambe is serving a third term on the board.
“My goal has always been to get Africans involved in the AIEN Africa regional committee to expose them to the happenings within the international energy industry and to ensure we fully attend to the issues affecting Africans,” he said.
Among his plans are to bring more AIEN trainings, workshops and conferences to Africa after having identified some cities in Africa to host these events.
Asked to describe what he enjoys most about his work, Nyambe said advising international corporations, state-owned enterprises, service companies and individuals on energy, natural resources, commercial and dispute resolution matters is what he likes doing best. After offering these services, advising clients on different concepts and eventually seeing his clients commence business operations in Namibia is fulfilling.
Get to know Nyambe:
1. Nyambe is an avid listener of different genres of music.
2. He loves watching soccer and boxing matches.
3. He keeps fit by regularly exercising at the gym.
4. He likes to go running.
5. He enjoys keeping informed about current affairs and business news.
6. He believes in working smart
7. He strives to keep the team motivated to do great things.
Photo: Contributed
Caption: Founder and managing partner of SNC Incorporated and AIEN regional director, Shakwa Nyambe.
Nyambe holds a masters in oil and gas law with professional skills from the University of Aberdeen in the United Kingdom, a postgraduate diploma in drafting and interpretation of contracts from the University of Johannesburg, a Baccalaureus Juris degree and a Bachelor of Laws degree both respectively from the University of Namibia.
Prior to establishing SNC Incorporated, Nyambe worked as a legal counsel at the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (Namcor), as a chief legal officer at the justice ministry and as a state advocate at the High Court of Namibia.
SNC Incorporated in two years
One of the goals Nyambe has set for SNC Incorporated is to build the business into a formidable regional law firm targeting some of the major commercial centres, including Johannesburg and international cities such as London.
“It will not be an easy one, but with our vision and determination we will make it. We are also expanding our practice areas within the firm to cover all areas of business. We have a team with international skills and global exposure. Our goal is to offer legal and business services beyond Namibia to seize opportunities created by the trade agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA),” he said.
Among the lessons learned during his time with SNC, is “that you need to consistently innovate for your business in order to grow and effectively manage stakeholders’ relationships. To ensure your business grows and is sustainable, it is vital to keep innovating even when people think your ideas are crazy rather than copying someone,” he said.
Achievements
Nyambe says the law firm’s staff has grown immensely within a short period of time, from two employees in 2019 to 12 now, plus five external consultants.
“The livelihood of all these employees and consultants is dependent on this business, which makes me proud to have established a business creating employment and paying taxes to government. I am also very proud that I have assembled a team of young smart and specialised lawyers, educated in the United Kingdom and Namibia over a short period of time and contributed highly to their professional development,” he said.
Recently SNC Incorporated was shortlisted for the Africa Legal Awards 2022 in the category of ‘African Law Firm of the Year – Small Practice’.
“This recognition is a significant milestone for a law firm that is only three years old to be recognized amongst the continent’s best,” he said.
AIEN regional director
Apart from his work at SNC Incorporated, Nyambe is the current regional director for the African Chapter of the Association of International Energy Negotiators (AIEN). AIEN is an independent, not-for-profit professional membership association that supports international energy negotiators around the world, enhancing their effectiveness and professionalism in the international community. In this position, Nyambe provides leadership to the AIEN African regional chapter and oversees the general operations of its activities with a regional executive committee comprising of several African countries.
Nyambe is serving a third term on the board.
“My goal has always been to get Africans involved in the AIEN Africa regional committee to expose them to the happenings within the international energy industry and to ensure we fully attend to the issues affecting Africans,” he said.
Among his plans are to bring more AIEN trainings, workshops and conferences to Africa after having identified some cities in Africa to host these events.
Asked to describe what he enjoys most about his work, Nyambe said advising international corporations, state-owned enterprises, service companies and individuals on energy, natural resources, commercial and dispute resolution matters is what he likes doing best. After offering these services, advising clients on different concepts and eventually seeing his clients commence business operations in Namibia is fulfilling.
Get to know Nyambe:
1. Nyambe is an avid listener of different genres of music.
2. He loves watching soccer and boxing matches.
3. He keeps fit by regularly exercising at the gym.
4. He likes to go running.
5. He enjoys keeping informed about current affairs and business news.
6. He believes in working smart
7. He strives to keep the team motivated to do great things.
Photo: Contributed
Caption: Founder and managing partner of SNC Incorporated and AIEN regional director, Shakwa Nyambe.
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