Parsons’ Founder Gabriel Onagoruwa to Redefine Africa’s Financing and Energy Transactions
Parsons, a new Africa-focused global law firm with offices in London, the UAE, and Nigeria, has been co-founded by Dr. Gabriel Onagoruwa, who brings both institutional experience and a pan-African vision to its platform.
Recognised for his conviction and clarity on Africa’s role in the global economy, Onagoruwa insists that the continent is not merely an emerging market but already a central part of global trade, energy, and finance. “The abundant natural resources, youthful population and growing geopolitical influence place it at the heart of global trade, energy and finance,” he told Legal Era.
Having built a career across prestigious institutions, including White & Case LLP in London and his most recent role as Global Finance Chair at Olaniwun Ajayi (UK) LLP, Onagoruwa has now set out to create a different kind of law firm. “The strategic importance of Africa to the global economy cannot be overstated given its vast natural and human resources,” he said. “In today’s rapidly shifting landscape, marked by decarbonisation, supply chain reconfiguration, technological advancement, and population growth; Africa’s centrality is becoming even more pronounced.”
A career inspired by legacy
Inspired by legacy, his journey in law began with a First Class Honours degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, followed by a PhD in Law from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar. His late uncle, Olusoga Onagoruwa, GCON, SAN, a celebrated human rights activist and former Attorney General of Nigeria, shaped his outlook. “He inspired me to see law not just as a career but as a tool to transform societies and unlock opportunities,” Onagoruwa reflected.
Building a different kind of firm
Established on the belief that Africa deserves world-class expertise blended with deep local understanding, Parsons seeks to handle complex transactions with international rigour. Its initial presence across London, the UAE, and Nigeria is designed to bridge Africa with Europe and the Middle East, while expansion into further African jurisdictions is already on the horizon.
Driving the strategy, Onagoruwa highlights the strength of his team. “We’ve assembled a team that understands high-stakes transactions and brings valuable local insight across key global markets,” he explained. “That combination is what Africa needs and what the world increasingly requires.”
Spotlighting Africa’s pressing financing and energy infrastructure gap, he estimates that more than USD 100 billion is required annually to structure deals that align government priorities with private capital appetite. “The problem is rarely about a lack of opportunity, but rather a lack of bankability and legal certainty,” he noted. His experience working on landmark transactions involving the IFC, Afreximbank, AfDB, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has prepared him to confront this challenge head-on.
At Parsons, the long-term vision is to combine institutional-grade discipline with private-sector dynamism, making African deals more bankable and attractive to global investors, while ensuring that they deliver tangible value on the ground.
Looking beyond finance, Onagoruwa sees Africa’s demographic growth, technological rise, agricultural potential, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as pivotal to the continent’s emergence as a rule-setting force in global trade. “AfCFTA shows Africa’s intent to be a rules-setting player in global trade, rather than a passive participant,” he said. “Parsons was built for this moment—to be a trusted legal partner for governments, corporates and investors who are shaping Africa’s integration into the global economy.”
Blending academic excellence, professional pedigree, and personal heritage, Onagoruwa stands out as a lawyer deeply invested in Africa’s future. His conviction remains unwavering: Africa-related transactions must meet global standards without compromising local realities.
As Parsons sets its sights on expanding further into Africa, Onagoruwa is clear about the firm’s mission. “We want to be the firm that unlocks Africa’s potential by ensuring its transactions are structured, bankable and future-proof,” he concluded. “That’s how we change the face of financing and energy in Africa, and how we can position the continent where it belongs: at the centre of the global economy.”
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