Baker McKenzie Cairo Advises CATL on a Landmark Battery Systems Manufacturing Project in Egypt

Baker McKenzie Cairo advised Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (“CATL”), one of the world’s largest and most innovative battery technology companies, on its cooperation with Battery Manufacturing Egypt (BME) (being a joint venture between Manufacturing Commercial Vehicles (MCV) and Auto D) for the establishment of a battery systems manufacturing plant in Egypt.

The project marks an important step in advancing Egypt’s industrial and clean technology capabilities and strengthening the country’s position within the evolving electric mobility and energy infrastructure value chain.

Ghada El Ehwany, Managing Partner of Baker McKenzie Cairo, commented: “We are delighted to have supported CATL on this strategic project, which brings advanced battery technology and manufacturing capabilities to Egypt. The transaction reflects growing investment in the country’s industrial and clean technology sectors and demonstrates Egypt’s increasing role as a regional hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation.”

Additionally, Zeinab Shohdy, M&A Counsel, commented: “This transaction called for a carefully tailored approach that balanced the parties’ commercial objectives while rigorously protecting CATL’s proprietary technology assets. We are proud to have helped establish a robust framework that enables CATL’s cutting-edge expertise and innovation to be deployed in Egypt while fully supporting its strategic business objectives.”

Baker McKenzie acted as local counsel to CATL and advised on the structuring and implementation of the comprehensive contractual framework governing the parties’ technology cooperation, encompassing the commercialization of CATL’s advanced technology in Egypt while safeguarding its intellectual property rights and proprietary know-how. The scope of work included advising on the structuring and negotiation of the project agreements, navigating regulatory considerations across the transaction, and developing bespoke contractual protections designed to safeguard CATL’s long-term commercial interests.

The Baker McKenzie Cairo team was led by the office’s Managing Partner Ghada El Ehwany, M&A Partner Hani Nassef, and Counsel Zeinab Shohdy, and further included Mohamed Elfar, Heba Samy, Omar Zaki and Mohamed El Baroudy.