“Christophe Wauters has an exceptional capacity to negotiate detailed lending provisions without losing sight of the broader picture of a deal. He has great judgement on opportunity versus cost.”
(Chambers Global, 2025)
“Christophe Wauters is the best lawyer for structured loans to sovereigns and quasi-sovereign entities.” (Chambers Global, 2026)
“Christophe Wauters has perfect mastery and particular efficiency in managing missions.” (Chambers Global, 2026)
Christophe has been featured in Chambers Global in the “Spotlight” category for “Africa-wide Banking & Finance” work.
Biography
Christophe Wauters is a partner in Global Debt Finance Practice and Financial Services Regulatory Practice.
He focuses on financing, debt restructuring, and bank regulation. With extensive experience across a broad range of debt financing products, Christophe advises corporates and sovereigns on a wide variety of international and emerging markets financing transactions and restructurings.
He is primarily involved in sovereign debt financing, cross-border project finance, structured trade finance, direct lending, and syndicated lending in Belgium and across Africa. Christophe has also played a key role in major bail-outs and restructurings of European financial institutions, high-yield bond offerings, and sovereign debt restructurings.
Before joining our firm, Christophe worked in the Brussels, Madrid and London offices of other leading international law firms.
Experience
Relevant experience (since joining White & Case) includes advising:
The Republic of Rwanda on the structuring of a commercial bank loan, backed by World Bank policy-based guarantees from IDA and MIGA.
OCP on a commercial loan from BNPP and Société Générale benefitting from a partial credit guarantee (PCG) from the African Development Bank.
The Republic of Djibouti in connection with an up to €400 million financing to be repaid from royalties due by the Republic of France to the Republic of Djibouti under the 2024 Defence Treaty between both States.
Deutsche Bank AG as mandated lead arranger on a €250 million sovereign loan for The Republic of Togo.
Representative experience (gained at prior firm) includes advising:
The Republic of Benin on numerous financing arrangements, including the UKEF guaranteed financing for the construction of the new Ministerial city in Cotonou, various ECA covered financings for the construction of the wholesale market of Grand Nokoué, and for the construction and rehabilitation of Route des Pêches, the financing of the construction of the Sofitel, the 2025 debt-for-development swap with partial policy-based guarantee from IDA, the 2023 AfDB-covered SDG financing, etc.
The Port Autonome de Cotonou (PAC) on the financing of the implementation of its Port Master Plan by Natixis (through ECA covered facilities) and the African Development Bank.
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire on the financing of various infrastructure and ESG projects as well on export financings and debt refinancings, including (w) its EUR 533 million financing benefitting from a partial credit guarantee from the African Development Bank ("ESG Loan Deal of the Year 2024" by Bonds, Loans & ESG Capital Markets, Africa Awards), (x) its EUR 400 million debt-for-development swap benefitting from a policy-based guarantee from IBRD, (y) its EUR 433 million inaugural sustainability-linked loan financing, partially guaranteed by IBRD and benefiting from a second-loss guarantee from MIGA, and (z) its EUR 507 million SDG facility agreement arranged by Deutsche Bank and benefitting from a first-loss guarantee from IDA and a second-loss guarantee from ATIDI.
The Republic of Senegal on the financing of numerous infrastructures and ESG projects as well as on export financings and debt refinancings, including (x) its EUR 500 million equivalent AfDB covered dual-currency sustainable facility ("Sovereign Syndicated Loan Deal of the Year" at the Global Banking & Markets: Africa Awards 2025), and (y) its EUR 300 million short-term trade facility benefiting from a partial credit guarantee provided by MIGA to finance Senegal local agriculture sector and food security policies ("Shortlisted for Loan Deal of the Year" by IFLR: Africa Awards 2025).
Aéroport International Blaise Diagne SA (AIBD SA) and the Republic of Senegal in a €300 million equivalent dual-currency, asset-based financing for the development of Senegal's air hub strategic plan ("Airport Deal of the Year – Africa" by IJGlobal Awards 2024; "Shortlisted for Project Deal of the Year" by IFLR Africa Awards, 2025).
The Republic of Togo on (x) the refinancing and reprofiling of its of CFA denominated domestic public debt by MUFG benefiting from a full credit insurance cover by ATIDI, (y) a EUR 150 million MIGA-covered facility agreement arranged by Société Générale and (z) a EUR 200 million AfDB-covered facility agreement arranged by Deutsche Bank and Legal General Investment Manager.
The Republic of Madagascar in connection with commercial loan agreements arranged by Deutsche Bank and benefitting from a particle credit guarantee granted by the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund.
The Republic of Chad and SHT, Chad state-owned oil company, on the restructuring of a $1.3 billion oil-for-cash facility agreement granted by Glencore and on the restructuring of its indebtedness vis-à-vis its official creditors under the G20 Common Framework (first country to successfully restructured its debt under the Common Framework).
The Republic of Niger in connection with the partial refinancing and reprofiling of its CFA denominated domestic debt through a facility agreement arranged by MUFG and guaranteed by the ATIDI.
The Republic of Congo in connection with a EUR 370 million facility agreement arranged by Afreximbank.
Queen's College
"Christophe offers diligence and recognised expertise"
Chambers Global, 2026
"Christophe Wauters is someone you want to have on your team".
Chambers Global, 2026
"Christophe Wauters never shies away from a complicated negotiation point and leaves no stone unturned."
Chambers Global, 2026
"He is obviously someone you want to have in your team rather than against you."
Chambers Global, 2026
"Christophe Wauters is excellent and very pragmatic. He knows what points to focus on and is very collaborative."
Chambers Global, 2026
"Christophe Wauters has perfect mastery and particular efficiency in managing missions."
Chambers Global, 2026
