A member of the Paris Bar, Vivien Makaga-Pea is a partner at SRDB Law Firm, and the head of the firm’s Africa Desk.

He advises private companies as well as sovereign states and public entities on public-private partnerships (PPPs), commodity law, energy and infrastructure law, and public international law.

Vivien also acts in international arbitration, commercial and investment litigation, as well as in dispute prevention and pre-litigation/post-litigation negotiations.

He has an in-depth understanding of the political and legal landscapes of the African continent, particularly in the hydrocarbons sector. He has contributed to the redrafting of the Gabonese Law on Hydrocarbons and to the development of the country’s PPP Law and associated legal instruments, under the supervision of the World Bank.

Prior to joining SRDB Law Firm in 2023, Vivien worked as Counsel at Betto Perben law firm, specializing in investment disputes, international arbitration, and Public Affairs. He also worked in the legal department of Sinopec Group and its Swiss subsidiary Addax Petroleum in Geneva, as well as with Gabonese public entities.

Vivien holds a Doctorate in Public Law with a thesis titled “The Sovereignty of African States in the 21st Century: Imperatives and Threats”, a Master’s degree in “Public Affairs, Development Policy, and Management – Africa Potential” from SciencesPo Paris, a Master 2 in Private Law, a Master 2 in Political Science with a focus on Parliamentary Life and Institutional Relations, and a Master 1 in Business Law, all awarded by Paris II University (Panthéon-Assas).