The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has called for deliberate and bolder action to position Africa as a preferred global destination for international arbitration and alternative dispute resolution.
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Osigwe made the call while delivering an address at the opening ceremony of the 10th ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration and ADR in Lagos.
The conference, which marks the 10th anniversary of the ICC Africa Conference series, brought together leading arbitration practitioners, legal experts, academics, business executives, policymakers and dispute resolution professionals to discuss the future of arbitration and ADR on the continent.
Speaking at the event, the NBA President said the conference was not only an opportunity to celebrate a decade of progress in arbitration and ADR across Africa, but also a moment for reflection and strategic planning.
According to him, Africa’s dispute resolution landscape has witnessed remarkable growth over the years, with increasing confidence in arbitral institutions, a growing pool of skilled practitioners and greater acceptance of ADR mechanisms as effective tools for resolving commercial disputes.
“Africa has made significant progress in developing its dispute resolution ecosystem, and those accomplishments deserve recognition,” he said.
Osigwe, however, stressed that the continent must take greater ownership of its dispute resolution future.
He said Africa must move beyond merely participating in international dispute resolution conversations and begin to actively shape them.
According to him, this would require stronger institutions, greater investment in capacity development, enhanced collaboration among stakeholders and a firm commitment to international standards of excellence.
The NBA President also highlighted Africa’s human capital, noting that the continent has highly skilled and intellectually gifted professionals who have distinguished themselves in arbitration and dispute resolution at both regional and international levels.
He said Africa has competent arbitrators, legal practitioners, academics and judges capable of competing with the best anywhere in the world.
Osigwe maintained that the challenge was not the absence of talent, but the need to create the institutional environment that would allow such talent to flourish and gain wider global recognition.
He expressed confidence that, with the right support structures and sustained commitment, Africa could establish itself as a preferred hub for international dispute resolution.
The NBA President also called for a more balanced global narrative about Africa’s dispute resolution ecosystem.
While acknowledging the importance of addressing existing challenges, he said the continent must also be intentional about projecting its successes in arbitration and ADR.
According to him, many of Africa’s achievements in dispute resolution remain underreported despite their importance and impact.
He said promoting such success stories would help build confidence among investors, businesses and international stakeholders seeking reliable dispute resolution mechanisms.
Osigwe commended the organisers of the ICC Africa Conference for providing a platform for meaningful engagement among stakeholders.
He noted that conferences of that nature play a key role in fostering collaboration, sharing knowledge, identifying emerging trends and developing practical solutions to challenges facing dispute resolution systems across Africa.
He expressed optimism that the ideas and recommendations from the conference would contribute to strengthening arbitration and ADR practice on the continent.
The NBA President said as Africa deepens regional integration, attracts investment and expands its participation in global commerce, efficient, credible and internationally respected dispute resolution mechanisms have become more important.
He stressed that while Africa has made substantial progress, the next phase of growth would require deliberate action, stronger institutions and greater confidence in the continent’s capabilities.
Osigwe added that the 10th ICC Africa Conference should serve not only as a celebration of past achievements, but also as a call to action for stakeholders to work together in building a dispute resolution ecosystem that reflects Africa’s potential and growing influence in the global economy.
He maintained that with the talent, expertise and determination already present across the continent, Africa is well positioned to become a leading force in international arbitration and ADR.
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