Webber Wentzel won the African Legal Awards - ESG Initiative of the Year for advising on the TERRAGRN | South African Agrofo

​​​​​​​Webber Wentzel has partnered with TERRAGRN which has a goal of creating sustainable, biodiversity-compliant forests in various African countries to deliver net-zero emissions; socio-economic development through job creation; and create more women entrepreneurs. It is starting in South Africa (SA) and will follow with similar initiatives in Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana.

TERRAGRN UK is raising USD 2 billion in patient capital from green investors/ESG funds in developed markets to establish this initiative in SA. It anticipates delivering an 8% yield on long-term debt and 25-30% IRR for equity investors. Wealth created will be shared with women entrepreneurs, the local workforce and local stakeholders/communities.

TERRAGRN hopes to contribute to food security, gender equality, reduced inequalities, and climate action through nature-based solutions that will create thousands of new jobs, bring more women into the workforce, and usher in progress and sustained livelihoods within communities.

"We engaged Webber Wentzel right from the onset of our ambitious Agroforest venture in South Africa, which is a for-profit business targeting to address 16 of the 17 SDGs (Strategic Development Goals). With their in-depth knowledge of the legal and regulatory framework of South Africa, and particularly those aspects that have a bearing on our project, Webber Wentzel was able to guide us through the process of acquiring the land and necessary permits required to undertake our project, thus massively de-risking the execution. Webber Wentzel went even further by introducing Terragrn to a network of stakeholders and partners who have effectively come on board to help us drive towards meeting the challenging timelines of this complex endeavor."​

Roy Masamba: Co-Founder & Director, Terragrn Private Limited

​See below other awards Webber Wentzel won at the African ​Legal Awards:​