The Mauritian arbitration initiative – an African practitioner's perspective

Mauritius is taking centre stage in the contest to become Africa's centre for international dispute resolution, thanks to two 'watershed' events which have taken place in the last few years.

The bold practical steps Mauritius has taken to establish itself as a regional centre for resolving cross-border disputes match its ambition to become a regional business hub and an international financial centre. It can preserve regional connection to matters, where appropriate, and address African perceptions of Eurocentric international arbitration as inherently biased and costly. At the same time they seek to reassure foreign parties of the legitimacy of the alternative process proposed.