In a panel discussion held today during the ongoing NBA-SBL Conference in Lagos, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mazi Afam Osigwe, passionately advocated for the establishment of an African Arbitration Center. The panel session which centered around the theme “Forging a Path to Effective Commercial Dispute Resolution in Africa: Exploring the Need for an African Arbitration Centre,” brought together legal professionals and arbitration enthusiasts from across the continent.
During his virtual discussion, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, shed light on the growing trend of African arbitration cases being conducted outside of the continent. This trend, according to him, highlights the readiness of Africans to embrace arbitration as a means of dispute resolution. However, he expressed concern that this inclination often leads to cases being referred to arbitration proceedings abroad.
To address this issue, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, called upon all stakeholders in the arbitration sector in Africa to collaborate and establish an African Arbitration Center. The primary objective of such a center would be to provide a dedicated venue within the continent for the resolution of commercial disputes, reducing the need for parties to seek arbitration abroad.
The learned Silk emphasized the importance of developing competence within the proposed center, encouraging African practitioners and disputants to choose it as their preferred venue for resolving disputes. He stressed the significance of effective implementation of laws that promote resorting to arbitration and ensuring the enforcement of arbitral awards. By doing so, he believes that Africa can create an enabling environment for resolving disputes locally, ultimately diminishing the reliance on foreign arbitration institutions.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, highlighted the potential benefits of establishing an African Arbitration Center. Firstly, it would contribute to the growth and development of the arbitration industry within the continent, creating opportunities for local practitioners and enhancing their expertise. Secondly, it would help retain commercial dispute resolution activities within Africa, promoting economic and legal empowerment. Lastly, an African Arbitration Center would foster a stronger sense of regional integration and cooperation, as African nations collaborate to establish and support the center’s operations.
The panel discussion generated significant interest and engagement among conference attendees. Many participants agreed with Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN’s views and expressed their willingness to support the establishment of an African Arbitration Center. The conference concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to actively collaborate and take concrete steps towards realizing this visionary proposal.
The Nigeria Lawyer