About the Lawyer
Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté is a lawyer admitted to the Guinean and Paris Bars and founder of ASK AVOCATS. He advises on several aspects of Guinean and EU law, including, but not limited to, mining law and OHADA business. He began his practice in the Energy and Natural Resources department of the renowned law firm Jeantet in Paris. He holds two LLM Master’s degrees from Washington University St. Louis School of Law, a top 20 law school in the United States: the first in American law and the second in negotiations and alternative dispute resolution. He works in English and French, and also speaks several West African languages (Wolof, Bambara, Soussou, Malinke).
As founder of ASK AVOCATS, based in Conakry, Guinea, Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté leads a practice with a strong focus on energy and natural resources projects in West Africa. His work is centered on advising corporate clients, investors, and project sponsors on the legal and regulatory aspects of energy-related operations in Guinea and the wider OHADA region. He combines international training with in-depth knowledge of local frameworks governing the energy and mining sectors, enabling him to bridge Guinean, EU, and OHADA rules in complex cross-border matters.
Experience
Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté began his legal career in Paris in the Energy and Natural Resources department of the law firm Jeantet, where he was involved in advisory and transactional work relating to energy and extractive industries. Building on this experience, he returned to West Africa to establish ASK AVOCATS in Conakry, positioning the firm to serve the needs of companies and large groups operating in the energy and mining sectors across Guinea and the region.
As founder and lead lawyer at ASK AVOCATS, he advises on the structuring, negotiation, and implementation of energy and mining projects, including the legal aspects of project development, investment, and operations. His practice covers the review and drafting of project agreements, support in regulatory approvals, and guidance on compliance with sector-specific legislation in Guinea and within the OHADA legal space.
Through his work with international networks and comparative law engagements, he regularly deals with cross-border issues involving Guinean and EU rules, particularly in connection with foreign investment in energy and natural resources, risk allocation in project contracts, and dispute prevention mechanisms. His career reflects a sustained focus on the legal dimension of energy and natural resources development in emerging markets.
Specialty
Energy law is at the core of Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté’s practice. He advises clients across the energy value chain, with a particular focus on:

Structuring and negotiation of energy and natural resources projects, including power generation and mining-related energy infrastructure.
Advising on Guinean energy-sector regulations, licenses, and authorizations applicable to foreign and domestic investors.
Drafting and reviewing project contracts, joint venture agreements, and related commercial documentation for energy and extractive projects.
Integrating OHADA business law requirements into energy project structures, including corporate vehicles, security interests, and contractual frameworks.
Advising on investment protection, risk allocation, and dispute-avoidance strategies in energy and mining operations, including recourse to negotiation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Assisting clients in aligning their operations with both Guinean domestic law and relevant EU or international standards where projects involve cross-border elements or foreign sponsors.

His background in energy and natural resources work in Paris, combined with his leadership of a Guinea-based firm dedicated to mining and business law, allows him to offer integrated, sector-specific advice to energy companies and investors operating in West Africa.
Education

LLM in American Law, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.
LLM in Negotiations and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law.

Achievements and Recognition
- ASK Avocats was included in the Top 20 des cabinets d’affaires africains, and the article identifies Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté as the firm’s founder.
- Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté was named in the 2026 Africa Legal Powerlist 100 as one of the 100 most influential business lawyers in Africa, via ASK Avocats.
- Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté was also recognized in the 2025 ranking of the 100 most influential business lawyers, according to ASK Avocats’ announcement.
- Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté is listed by Global Law Experts as a leader at ASK Avocats with recognized expertise in Energy and Mining Law, including complex business mandates.
- Aboubacar Sidiki Kanté is featured by Global Law Experts as a specialist energy lawyer in Guinea through ASK AVOCATS’ profile in its network.