Allen & Overy (A&O) is set to open its first office on the African continent with the launch of a Morocco base.

The magic circle firm is recruiting two local partners from the Moroccan offices of French leader Gide Loyrette Nouel to staff the new Casablanca base, which will open in September when corporate partner Yassir Ghorbal joins from Gide’s local arm Naciri & Associes.