Our team
Mrs Bourgelie AMPION
Founding Partner
Ms AMPION is an international lawyer with eleven (11) years of experience. She is a former member of the Paris Bar and a former foreign lawyer registered with the Law Society of Hong Kong. Ms. AMPION's experience in business, tax and financial law, in advising on commercial and contract law is extensive. She regularly acts for and advises governments and private entities throughout the OHADA region in various financing and development projects in Africa, particularly in Central Africa.
Ms AMPION is a pioneer entrepreneur and legal consultant at the highest level of government in Africa, with a strong international reach.
Ms AMPION holds a Master's degree in Business Law from the University of Tours (France), and a Master's degree (LLM) from Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC (USA).
She is fluent in French and English, and has a basic knowledge of Chinese Mandarin.
Dr. James MEDOU
Partner
Holds PhD in Physics from Paris Sorbonne university / Pierre and Marie Curie, has led postdoctoral researches at Liège university and Oxford university, is a Telecom Paris grduate, and is a award winner of the Seymour Cray price in VLSIComputer Aided Design.
Is a finance markets veteran with almost 30 years of practice in the area. He is an investment consultant. He is an expert in development and financial strategy, business performance improvement and organisational management.
Mr. Jean Paul ANGOENNAH ESSYNGONE
Partner – Libreville Office (Gabon)
Mr Jean Paul ANGOENNAH ESSYNGONE is responsible for matters relating to hydrocarbons and energy from Lexa International.
He holds a Doctorate in Law from the University of Lille II (France) and is also a graduate of the Institute of Judicial Studies and the Institute of Public Administration in the same city.
He, now a legal adviser, is registered on the National Register of AccreditedLegal Advisers in the Gabonese Republic, following a career that has combined teaching legal subjects with practising law, first in the public sectorand subsequently in the private sector.
During his experience in the public sector (2006–2017), he advised variousmembers of the Gabonese Government, including those in charge of the departments of the Environment, Energy and Water Resources, and in particular the minister responsible for Oil and Hydrocarbons.
Appointed as a member of the Interministerial Committee of Experts for the Negotiation of Treaties relating to Bilateral Investment Protection and Taxation (BIT), he continued, at the same time, to serve as an active member of Gabon’s first National Ethics Committee for Research (CNER) (2007–2023).
As part of his experience in the private sector, he served as General Counselat Addax Petroleum Oil & Gas Gabon in Port-Gentil (SINOPEC Group), and subsequently as a member of the Board of Directors of the same company(2017–2025).
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Bijou Mwanga Van
International Consultant – Strategy, Institutional Affairs & Communication
Bijou Mwanga Van is a professional in strategy, negotiation and institutional relations, acting within Lexa International through the provision of its network, its expertise in development strategy and communication.
His background stands out by a multidisciplinary experience at the crossroads of strategy, institutional affairs, communication, project development and negotiation of international partnerships.
With a degree in International Relations, Business Management and a Master's degree in Institutional Digital Communication, his expertise is focused on project design and structuring, lobbying, connecting public and private actors and finding strategic solutions in complex environments, with a specific focus on relations between Europe and Africa.
He is a member of the Project and Development Office at the Ministry of Communication and Media of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and General Manager of Relator Entertainment Group, through which he develops and supports various projects and partnerships.
Ms Annick MOUANGUE
Head of Office - Douala Office – Cameroon
Lawyer admitted to the Nigerian and Cameroonian Bars, and holder of a Master's degree in Business Law, Annick MOUANGUE brings together a dual legal culture combining Cameroonian civil law and Nigerian common law.
She practises in contract law, corporate governance, OHADA law – particularly corporate law – general commercial law, and arbitration.
She has practised within leading business law firms in Douala and adviseseconomic operators on their corporate transactions, as well as on their legal, contractual, and regulatory matters.
Currently pursuing a PhD in Business Law at the University of Douala, sheconducts research in corporate law and accounting law within the OHADA framework.
Certified in OHADA Arbitration by the École Régionale Supérieure de la Magistrature (ERSUMA), under the aegis of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA), she also handles matters relating to alternative dispute resolution, and develops scholarly reflection on their evolution within the OHADA area and more broadly across Africa.
Her practice also covers compliance and regulatory matters, as well as employment law, business criminal law, and the regulation of digital activities, including fintech and personal data protection.
Her approach thus combines legal advisory work, risk prevention, and alternative dispute resolution.
Areas of Practice:
- OHADA Corporate Law and Corporate Governance;
- OHADA Commercial Law and Contract Law;
- Negotiation and Structuring of Transactions;
- OHADA Arbitration;
- Regulatory Compliance;
- Business Criminal Law;
- Employment Law;
- Digital Law, Fintech, and Personal Data Protection.
Mr. Richiny KOUNKOU SEGUELA
Legal Advisor
Richiny KOUNKOU SEGUELA holds a Master’s degree (Master 2) in Business Law and has over 10 years of experience in legal and tax advisory within leading firms and corporations in the Republic of Congo.
He has held strategic positions including Administrative, Legal and Tax Manager at TELIYA CONGO / Le Courtois Assurances, Managing Director at Liori Conseils, and Tax & Legal Associate at KPMG Congo. Through these roles, he has developed strong, cross-functional expertise dedicated to supporting businesses.
His areas of expertise include:
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Business Law and OHADA Law
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Corporate Taxation
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Legal Governance and Regulatory Compliance
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Restructuring and Tax Optimization
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Drafting and Negotiation of Complex Contracts
As a key liaison with public authorities (Tax Administration, CNSS), he successfully leads tax audits and administrative litigation, while supporting organizations in securing their operations and managing risk effectively.
A committed manager, he supervises and develops legal teams by implementing high standards of performance and excellence.
Combining rigor, strategic vision, and advanced technical expertise, Richiny KOUNKOU SENGUELA delivers high value-added legal and tax advisory services, sustainably contributing to the performance, compliance, and growth of businesses.
Mrs. Josiane-Amélie BELING NKOUMBA
Legal Advisor
Josiane-Amélie BELING NKOUMBA works within the Lexa International Consulting Representative Office in Cameroon.
Holder of a Master’s degree in International Trade Law and another in International Relations obtained at the University of Yaoundé II - Cameroon, she is also a Ph.D. student in International Trade Law.
Mrs. BELING worked for the elaboration of the draft treaty establishing the new Regional Economic Community of Central Africa during her professional experience within the Steering Committee for the rationalization of CEMAC, ECCAS and CEPGL.
Her primary domains of expertise shift from International Law, Commercial Law to OHADA Law. Perfectly bilingual in English and French, she ensures a flexible and efficient support to clients.
Mr. Christ Bardhol MADINGOU
Legal Advisor
Christ Bardhol MADINGOU holds a Master’s 1 in Private Law from Marien Ngouabi University (Republic of the Congo).
He assists companies and investors in safeguarding their business activities through legal research, the drafting of legal documents and contracts, and monitoring regulatory compliance issues.
His areas of expertise include, in particular:
• Business law and OHADA law;
• Banking and financial law;
• Corporate taxation;
• Legal governance and regulatory compliance;
• Drafting and negotiating complex contracts;
• Drafting legal opinions.
