Cynthia Venter

Cynthia Venter is a Consultant in the Banking and Finance practice, based in the Johannesburg office. She is an experienced banking and finance lawyer with a strong background in real estate financing, secured and syndicated lending, cross-border arrangements, and project finance for mining and renewable energy projects. As a knowledge lawyer, she advises on credit facility documentation and security arrangements.

Ms. Venter has advised major South African banks including FirstRand Bank (through Rand Merchant Bank), Standard Bank, Absa Bank, and Nedbank on numerous significant transactions. These include facilities to Respublica Student Living for the development of student accommodation across South Africa (with several structured as sustainable green and social loans), the ZAR 6 billion restructuring of Ascendis Health's indebtedness, a USD 300 million restructuring for Lango Real Estate Fund across Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and Mauritius, and financing for the Mall of Africa development and Zimpeto Square Mall in Mozambique. She has also advised lenders on REIPPPP renewable energy projects and mining financings in South Africa, Botswana, and Tanzania.

She holds an LLB (cum laude) from the University of South Africa and is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa. She has been ranked by Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner in real estate (2022-2023) and by IFLR1000 as a Notable Practitioner in banking for nine consecutive years (2017-2025).