Ilke Meissner

Ilke Meissner

Senior Associate

Ilke advises a wide range of domestic and international clients on South African and cross-border corporate lending, leverage and acquisition financing, fund finance, structured finance and debt restructuring.

A major focus of Ilke’s work is advising clients on innovative financing solutions in developing markets.

Ilke also has experience in corporate advisory and regulatory advisory work. Ilke is fluent in English and German.

Experience

Representative matters

A syndicate of international lenders on USD130mn loan facilities to CRDB Bank in Tanzania. This was the first private sector syndicated loan transaction in Tanzania.

The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund on a USD294mn debt funding package from several South African and global financial institutions. This was one of the largest capital raises in recent years, led by a blended finance debt fund advancing infrastructure development across Africa.

Ascendis Health Limited group of companies on the approximately ZAR6bn restructuring of its indebtedness.

A global financial institution and a multilateral development finance institution in relation to structured loan funding to Eskom (guaranteed by the Republic of South Africa).

A consortium of international lenders (including Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB) on a green- and sustainability-linked USD1.6bn Multicurrency Revolving Credit Facility provided to Norsk Hydro ASA.

Published Work

  • Meissner, I & O'Connor, C (2020) "The Restructuring of State Owned Entities in South Africa: Some Powerful Tools", INSOL INTERNATIONAL News Update
  • Meissner, I & Sutherland, PJ (2016) “The Complaint Procedure Reconsidered After Competition Commission v Yara", SA Mercantile Law Journal
  • Meissner, I (2014) “Special Report: Broad-Based Employee Share Plans”, AccountancySA

Awards

  • Restructuring Team of the Year, African Legal Awards, 2023
  • Banking & Finance Team of the Year - Large Practice, African Legal Awards, 2022

Qualifications

Admissions

High Court of South Africa, 2022 (Attorney)

Academic

BAccLLB Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Laws, Stellenbosch University, 2014

LLD Doctor of Laws, Stellenbosch University, 2019

Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.