The International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA), in partnership with the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), is set to host a landmark conference in Kigali on June 5, 2025, under the theme “Africa & International Arbitration: Untold Stories.”
The event will examine legal reforms reshaping arbitration across Africa, spotlight untold challenges and opportunities in cross-border commerce, and explore how African institutions can shape the future of global dispute resolution.
Ahead of the conference, ICCA has launched a blog series analyzing the continent’s rapid growth in international arbitration and the path forward for its young but expanding arbitral institutions.
Africa’s arbitration landscape is transforming rapidly. According to the 2024 SOAS Arbitration in Africa Survey by Dr. Emilia Onyema, domestic courts across the continent are increasingly supportive of arbitration, with legal reforms making arbitration more accessible and effective.
As of March 2020, Africa was home to 89 arbitral institutions across 42 countries—up from 72 institutions in 2016. Centers such as the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA), the Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), and the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AfSA) have gained significant traction internationally.
Yet, observers caution that institutional growth must be matched by deeper structural development. “Opening an arbitration center is the easy part,” said one expert. “What matters is building lasting credibility, professional governance, and operational capacity.”
What Makes Institutions Work?
Experts argue that the strength of arbitration centers lies not in quantity, but in quality. The key elements for success include:
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Governance: Transparent, independent structures that resist political or commercial interference.
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Credibility: A proven track record of impartiality, procedural fairness, and multilingual service offerings.
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Capacity: Investment in human capital, infrastructure, and training for arbitrators, lawyers and staff.
Challenges remain. Many African centers operate on limited budgets and face infrastructure issues like inconsistent internet access. Competition from well-established Western arbitration hubs also puts pressure on newer African institutions to demonstrate value and reliability.
Cooperation Over Competition
As institutions multiply, the risk of fragmentation looms. Rather than competing for a limited caseload, experts recommend a shift toward regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing.
Initiatives such as OHADA’s business law harmonization, Mauritius’ partnership with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, and the African Arbitration Academy’s professional development programs are laying groundwork for a unified, robust arbitration ecosystem.
“It’s essential that these systems are designed with African voices and needs at the center,” said a spokesperson for the African Arbitration Association. “This isn’t just about dispute resolution—it’s about sovereignty, trade, and the future of Africa’s legal infrastructure.”
Looking Ahead
With the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) driving integration, institutions capable of delivering fast, cost-effective and culturally grounded arbitration services will be critical to unlocking the region’s economic potential.
The ICCA-KIAC 2025 Conference aims to amplify these “untold stories” and spark dialogue on how Africa can lead in global arbitration—not just through numbers, but through innovation, cooperation and local leadership.
The upcoming blog series will explore these themes further, from regional integration and procedural reform to the training of Africa’s next generation of arbitration professionals.
