Partner

Pedro Couto

Chairman l Energy, Natural Resources and Infrastructure

Languages

Portuguese
English

Social media

With over two decades of experience in the legal field, Pedro Couto have acquired a diverse range of skills and expertise in various areas of law.

He has been involved in numerous tasks related to the energy sector, including legal counseling, revisions of laws, drafting and negotiation of agreements, and project development and financing advisory services.

In the Oil and Gas sector, he has provided legal advice on finance documents, regulatory frameworks, and preparation of various financing documents for pipeline projects. He has also been involved in the incorporation of a subsidiary for oil and gas prospecting purposes and provided legal advice to energy companies on negotiations, concessions, and exploration agreements.

Have contributed to legislative processes, such as advising on the drafting of water supply and sanitation laws, drafting the Civil Aviation Law in collaboration with IATA, and providing recommendations on various laws, including Petrol Law, Stamp Duty Code, and Financial Institution Legislation.

Pedro Couto is recognized as leading individual, by Legal500, 2024. Also, he is recognized as Market Leader by IFLR1000, 2024 and Top Ranked in Chambers 2025 and 2024.

Awards & Recognitions

01 –

Quote

"Pedro Couto's commercial awareness is good and he also has a lot of technical knowledge. He is excellent and can handle complex matters in the local sphere."

Chambers & Partners, 2026
Quote

Distinguished partner Pedro Couto has substantial experience advising on high-profile infrastructure projects with a focus on the energy sector. He enjoys a strong reputation in the market.

Chambers & Partners, 2026
Quote

“Pedro Couto is well known to all of the key market players and has trust when recommending solutions to particular problems.” (Project Finance)

IFLR 1000 2025

Relevant experience

Chairman in the Law Firm CGA – Couto, Graça & Associados, Lda., since June 2011.
Managing Partner in the Law Firm H Gamito, Couto, Gonçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco e Associados, 2003 to 2010.
Regent's Professor of administrative law at Eduardo Mondlane University, from 2003 to 2004.
Partner and Senior Lawyer in the Law Firm H Gamito, Couto, Gonçalves Pereira, Castelo Branco e Associados,1998 to 2003.
Regent's Professor of commercial law at Eduardo Mondlane University, 1998 to 2000.

Publications

As a co-author, he has contributed to the "Practical Manual of Banking Transactions" exclusively for the use of the Banco de Moçambique.

Memberships & Roles

Appointed as Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration (SCIA) arbitrator (from 21 February 2025 to 20 February 2030).

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Fernando Couto Foundation.

Chairman of the Board of the Assembly of Members of the Portugal-Mozambique Chamber of Commerce

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Terminal Norte, SA.

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Transportes Nórdicos, SA.

Chairman of the Board of the General Meeting of Companhia Industrial da Matola, SA.

Non-Executive Director of the Board of Directors of Woolworths.

Chairman of the Board of the General Meeting of Constellation, SA.

Chairman of the Board of the General Meeting of ADC, SA.

Awards & Rankings

Pedro Couto is recognized as leading individual, by Legal500, 2024. Also, he is recognized as market leader by IFLR1000, 2024 and Top Ranked in Chambers 2025 and 2024.

Education

Post-graduation on Project Finance Structures, from Universidade de Cape Town, South Africa, in 2000.
Post-graduation on Administrative Law, from Universidade Eduardo Mondlane and Supreme Administrative Court, Mozambique, in 1998.
Post-graduation on Corporate Law, from Faculdade de Direito, na Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal, in 1996.
Degree in Law, from Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique, in 1995.

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance Investment Corporate / M&A Public Law

sectors

Energy & Climate Change Infrastructure & Projects

Select your region