Collaboration and inclusivity among Arbitrators, as well as innovation in Arbitration practices in Africa have been identified as critical for Africa to lead in the global arbitration landscape.
The Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), stated this at its 45th anniversary and annual investiture/awards ceremony held recently in Lagos.
Themed “Transformation and Interventions: The Evolving Trends in Arbitration and ADR Practice in Africa,” the event brought together experts, judges, and practitioners to discuss the changing landscape of arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Africa.
Speaking at the event, Chief Justice of Kenya, Justice Martha Koome, EGH, emphasized Africa’s unique heritage in dispute resolution and the need to innovate while preserving traditional practices.
She underscored the importance of ADR in enhancing access to justice in Africa while noting that the unique position Africa holds in shaping the future of dispute resolution and the continent’s rich tradition of community-based conflict resolution mechanism.
Koome further urged stakeholders to embrace technology and artificial intelligence to make ADR more inclusive and accessible.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Attorney General of Lagos State, Lawan Pedro, who represented the Governor of Lagos State spoke on the transformative role of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Africa.
He emphasized that arbitration is not just a conflict resolution mechanism but a critical tool for building trust, fostering partnerships, and driving economic development.
Pedro highlighted Lagos as a growing hub for arbitration in Africa, stating, that institutions like the Court of Arbitration, the LCA, exemplify the states' commitment to establishing world-class arbitration facilities.
He also pointed out that transformation in arbitration and ADR is not just a theme for this conference but a call to action that presents unprecedented opportunities for specialization, localization, and digitalization.