Date: 10 November 2025 – Source: African Law and Business
At the International Bar Association (IBA) Conference in Toronto, African practitioners stressed the continent’s strong appetite for arbitration and mediation, calling for greater ownership of dispute resolution processes. Speakers highlighted persistent gaps, including few African arbitral seats, limited trust in domestic courts, and the continued dominance of foreign governing laws and institutions. Experts urged reforms such as specialist arbitration benches, stronger institutional support, and capacity-building for African arbitrators. Cost concerns were raised, with calls for parties to use African arbitral centres where fees and currency are more accessible. Judges from Ghana and Nigeria also reported growing judicial support for mediation under frameworks like Nigeria’s Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023 and Ghana’s ADR Act 2010. The IBA leadership acknowledged the need for deeper engagement with Africa to strengthen global inclusivity.
