Taher Sabala
Counsel
Fax
(+202) 2322 5401
Languages
Arabic, English
Taher is a Senior Associate at Sharkawy & Sarhan, known for his rare blend of judicial insight and corporate legal acumen. With a distinguished legal journey that’s taken him from the courtroom bench to the boardrooms of multinational companies, Taher brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to advising multinational clients across the MENA region, with a focus on Banking and Finance, General Commercial, Regulatory, Tax and Regional law.
He began his legal journey in the public sector, serving as a Prosecutor at the Financial & Commercial Affairs Bureau, where he led investigations into high-stakes financial crimes including money laundering, antitrust violations, and securities fraud. He later presided as Chief Judge over labor disputes, delivering judgments grounded in civil, employment, and corporate law.
Upon joining Sharkawy and Sarhan in 2022, Taher began his practice in the general commercial sector, where he provided strategic advice to several clients such as Solutions by STC, Rapiscan and Dubizzle on commercial and corporate governance matters. He also supported the projects team in advising Suez Canal Container Terminal, a joint venture partly owned by of A.P. Moller – Maersk, in relation to a 30-year concession agreement with Suez Canal Zone for managing the extension of the new quay at Port Said East Port.
Taher was seconded as an in-house counsel at a multinational leading tech giant in 2023, where he provided guidance for its operations across Egypt. His support also extended to the South African sphere in 2024, where he assisted in launching one of the biggest sub-Saharan African online marketplaces. This opportunity sharpened his ability to align legal guidance with fast-paced business needs. Taher is also particularly experienced in navigating complex legal landscapes in the GCC with a special focus on KSA laws, helping clients launch new ventures, manage risks, and stay ahead of regulatory developments.
Taher’s current practice focuses on the banking and finance sectors. He advised financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) on its first $25 million green financing package with Egypt’s Suez Canal Bank, and a significant €10.6 million financing deal to support GoBus Transportation in launching Egypt’s first inter-city electric bus fleet.
His practice is also centered on delivering strategic legal counsel to clients such as China Telecom, Noventiq, Nestle, and Rotana across a broad spectrum of matters, including general corporate, commercial transactions, employment law, litigation, regulatory and tax compliance. His cross-sector experience and nuanced understanding of regional legal frameworks enable him to provide practical, business-oriented solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Related Sectors
Related Practice Areas
Representative Experience
EBRD on its first $25 million green financing package with Egypt’s Suez Canal Bank (SCB). This transaction will expand green trade finance and enhance private-sector access to climate-linked loans – supporting MSMEs and households investing in climate adaptation and mitigation technologies as well as strengthen Egypt’s financial ecosystem and advance inclusive, climate-resilient development.
EBRD on its USD 20 million (EUR 18 million) loan agreement to ALEXBANK, part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s International Banks Division.
Warba Bank in connection with its financing arrangements with the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) under an English-law governed Murabaha Facility.
EBRD and Council of the European Union in Egypt on a significant €10.6 million financing deal to support GoBus Transportation in launching Egypt’s first inter-city electric bus fleet.
This transaction, supported by the SEMED Multi-Donor Account, represents a major step forward in promoting sustainable mobility across Egypt’s governorates. The introduction of the new electric buses will offer passengers cleaner, quieter, and safer travel options, leading to reduced emissions and establishing a model for eco-friendly infrastructure in the region.
Suez Canal Container Terminal, a joint venture partly owned by of A.P. Moller – Maersk, in relation to a 30-year concession agreement with لمنطقة الاقتصادية لقناة السويس SCZONE for managing the extension of the new quay at Port Said East Port, in order to provide logistic services and manage the additional extensions of the new quay. This concession will be a continuation of SCCT’s string of unstoppable accomplishments. This step will generate investments of $500 million and the creation of 1,000 new jobs.
Arabella, a real estate and urban development company, on negotiating a build, management and marketing agreement in North Coast with a leading multinational Hotel.
A Giant Tech on developing its digital app to comply with the Egyptian laws.
A Leading Media Platform on complying with the Media Law.
Instructed Biogen, a multinational biotech company, into entering the Egyptian market with a potential clinical study digital app.
Etisalat, Sanofi, Evolve Holding, and other companies into complying with the Egyptian Laws on launching their potential projects in the Egyptian Market.
One of the biggest mining companies in Egypt on the strategies and approaches to avoid the risks and impacts (financial & physical) of an environmental litigation case.
A Giant Container Shipping Lines and vessel operators on negotiating and entering into a concession agreement with the Suez Canal Economic Zone in relation to the expansion of its operational capacity by developing a new quay adjacent to its terminal in Port Said.
Education and Memberships
- LLM, American University in Cairo, International & Comparative Law, qualified in 2022.
- LLB, Cairo University, Faculty of Law, and qualified in 2010.
Taher Sabala
Counsel
Phone: (+202) 2322 5400 Ext. (143)
Phone: (+202) 2322 5400 Ext. (143)
Fax: (+202) 2322 5401
Languages: Arabic, English
Related Sectors: Telecommunication, Media & Technology
Related Practice Areas: Corporate & Commercial, Litigation
Taher is a Senior Associate at Sharkawy & Sarhan, known for his rare blend of judicial insight and corporate legal acumen. With a distinguished legal journey that’s taken him from the courtroom bench to the boardrooms of multinational companies, Taher brings a strategic, solutions-oriented approach to advising multinational clients across the MENA region, with a focus on Banking and Finance, General Commercial, Regulatory, Tax and Regional law.
He began his legal journey in the public sector, serving as a Prosecutor at the Financial & Commercial Affairs Bureau, where he led investigations into high-stakes financial crimes including money laundering, antitrust violations, and securities fraud. He later presided as Chief Judge over labor disputes, delivering judgments grounded in civil, employment, and corporate law.
Upon joining Sharkawy and Sarhan in 2022, Taher began his practice in the general commercial sector, where he provided strategic advice to several clients such as Solutions by STC, Rapiscan and Dubizzle on commercial and corporate governance matters. He also supported the projects team in advising Suez Canal Container Terminal, a joint venture partly owned by of A.P. Moller – Maersk, in relation to a 30-year concession agreement with Suez Canal Zone for managing the extension of the new quay at Port Said East Port.
Taher was seconded as an in-house counsel at a multinational leading tech giant in 2023, where he provided guidance for its operations across Egypt. His support also extended to the South African sphere in 2024, where he assisted in launching one of the biggest sub-Saharan African online marketplaces. This opportunity sharpened his ability to align legal guidance with fast-paced business needs. Taher is also particularly experienced in navigating complex legal landscapes in the GCC with a special focus on KSA laws, helping clients launch new ventures, manage risks, and stay ahead of regulatory developments.
Taher’s current practice focuses on the banking and finance sectors. He advised financial institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD) on its first $25 million green financing package with Egypt’s Suez Canal Bank, and a significant €10.6 million financing deal to support GoBus Transportation in launching Egypt’s first inter-city electric bus fleet.
His practice is also centered on delivering strategic legal counsel to clients such as China Telecom, Noventiq, Nestle, and Rotana across a broad spectrum of matters, including general corporate, commercial transactions, employment law, litigation, regulatory and tax compliance. His cross-sector experience and nuanced understanding of regional legal frameworks enable him to provide practical, business-oriented solutions tailored to each client’s needs.
Representative Experience
EBRD on its USD 20 million (EUR 18 million) loan agreement to ALEXBANK, part of the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s International Banks Division.
EBRD and Council of the European Union in Egypt on a significant €10.6 million financing deal to support GoBus Transportation in launching Egypt’s first inter-city electric bus fleet.
This transaction, supported by the SEMED Multi-Donor Account, represents a major step forward in promoting sustainable mobility across Egypt’s governorates. The introduction of the new electric buses will offer passengers cleaner, quieter, and safer travel options, leading to reduced emissions and establishing a model for eco-friendly infrastructure in the region.
Warba Bank in connection with its financing arrangements with the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) under an English-law governed Murabaha Facility.
EBRD on its first $25 million green financing package with Egypt’s Suez Canal Bank (SCB). This transaction will expand green trade finance and enhance private-sector access to climate-linked loans – supporting MSMEs and households investing in climate adaptation and mitigation technologies as well as strengthen Egypt’s financial ecosystem and advance inclusive, climate-resilient development.
Suez Canal Container Terminal, a joint venture partly owned by of A.P. Moller – Maersk, in relation to a 30-year concession agreement with لمنطقة الاقتصادية لقناة السويس SCZONE for managing the extension of the new quay at Port Said East Port, in order to provide logistic services and manage the additional extensions of the new quay. This concession will be a continuation of SCCT’s string of unstoppable accomplishments. This step will generate investments of $500 million and the creation of 1,000 new jobs.
Arabella, a real estate and urban development company, on negotiating a build, management and marketing agreement in North Coast with a leading multinational Hotel.
A tech giant on developing its digital app to comply with the Egyptian laws.
A leading media platform on complying with the Media Law.
Instructed Biogen, a multinational biotech company, into entering the Egyptian market with a potential clinical study digital app.
Etisalat, Sanofi, Evolve Holding, and other companies into complying with the Egyptian Laws on launching their potential projects in the Egyptian Market.
A giant container shipping lines and vessel operators on negotiating and entering into a concession agreement with the Suez Canal Economic Zone in relation to the expansion of its operational capacity by developing a new quay adjacent to its terminal in Port Said.
One of the biggest mining companies in Egypt on the strategies and approaches to avoid the risks and impacts (financial & physical) of an environmental litigation case.
