The Future Of Arbitration In Africa: Overcoming Challenges And Embracing Opportunities

Arbitration remains the most preferred method of resolving commercial disputes in Africa. While Africa has a substantial number of arbitral institutions, it is ordinarily expected that Africa-related disputes would be resolved within the continent to enhance the growth of arbitration and build trust in these institutions.

A recent survey by the SOAS Arbitration and Dispute Resolution Centre at the University of London (the SOAS Survey), reveals that despite the continent hosting over 90 arbitral institutions, most African-related disputes are resolved outside the continent. As defined by the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice, Africa-related disputes involve at least one African party, the subject matter of the contract or its performance in an African country, or a contract governed by the law of an African nation.